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'Free Iraq hostages,' says Brown 'Free Iraq hostages,' says Brown
(30 minutes later)
The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for five British hostages, kidnapped in Iraq six months ago, to be released immediately. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for the immediate release of five British hostages kidnapped in Iraq six months ago.
He said the taking of hostages would not change British policy in Iraq and added: "We are demanding the immediate release" of the five. He said the taking of hostages would not change British policy in Iraq, and the government would do everything in its power to secure their release.
It follows the release of a video tape of the Britons, who were kidnapped in Baghdad in May, on Tuesday. On Tuesday a video tape of the Britons, who were kidnapped in Baghdad in May, was broadcast.
The next day their families and friends issued an emotional message of support.The next day their families and friends issued an emotional message of support.
'Bravery and resilience'
The prime minister said his first thoughts were with the five hostages and with their families.
The taking of hostages is completely unjustified, wholly unacceptable Prime Minister Gordon Brown
He said they had endured "an enormous" amount over the last six months and he wanted to thank them for their "bravery and resilience".
He said: "We will do everything in our power to secure our objective, which is the immediate release of the hostages."
Mr Brown paid tribute to the Iraqi government for its efforts to try to secure the hostages' freedom and added: "We will give them our full support."
'Completely unacceptable'
The five men - four guards and a computer expert - were seized in May from Baghdad's finance ministry building by gunmen disguised as police officers.
A militia group calling itself the Islamic Shia Resistance in Iraq is now holding them captive.
The video tape of the men, dated 18 November, contains a threat that one of them will be killed unless UK forces are withdrawn from Iraq.
The prime minister said: "The taking of hostages is completely unjustified, wholly unacceptable and we are making it clear they will not change our policy in any way.
"I want the hostage takers to accept their responsibility, to understand the consequences of what they are doing, to make possible the immediate release of the hostages, to allow them to come home at the earliest opportunity.
"We will do everything in our power. The taking of hostages is completely unacceptable. We are demanding the immediate release."