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22/10/2004
Al Jazeera broadcasts footage of distressed hostage
The Arabic-language news service Al Jazeera has broadcast footage of the aid agency director, who was kidnapped in Iraq earlier this week, pleading for her life and begging Britain to withdraw its troops from the country.
In the broadcast, Margaret Hassan, who is married to an Iraqi and holds both an Iraqi and British passport, tearfully pleads for help as "these might be my last hours".
The video release comes less than 24 hours after Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon confirmed that an armoured UK battlegroup of 850 men would re-deploy close to Baghdad to relieve overstretched American forces in the area.
Mrs Hassan is Care International's country director and has been living in Iraq for over 25 years. She has been providing humanitarian relief with non-government organisations to the people of Iraq for much of her life there, the charity said.
Care, which has been providing humanitarian relief in Iraq since the first Gulf War in 1991, said that under the circumstances it had decided to "temporarily suspend its Iraq programmes" following Tuesday's kidnapping.
(gmcg)
In the broadcast, Margaret Hassan, who is married to an Iraqi and holds both an Iraqi and British passport, tearfully pleads for help as "these might be my last hours".
The video release comes less than 24 hours after Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon confirmed that an armoured UK battlegroup of 850 men would re-deploy close to Baghdad to relieve overstretched American forces in the area.
Mrs Hassan is Care International's country director and has been living in Iraq for over 25 years. She has been providing humanitarian relief with non-government organisations to the people of Iraq for much of her life there, the charity said.
Care, which has been providing humanitarian relief in Iraq since the first Gulf War in 1991, said that under the circumstances it had decided to "temporarily suspend its Iraq programmes" following Tuesday's kidnapping.
(gmcg)
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19 October 2004
British-born Care worker kidnapped in Iraq
A British-born woman who heads a charitable organisation in Iraq has been kidnapped in Baghdad this morning. A video showing Margaret Hassan in the hands of her captors has been broadcast this afternoon on the Arabic-language news service Al Jazeera. It is not yet clear which group carried out the kidnapping.
British-born Care worker kidnapped in Iraq
A British-born woman who heads a charitable organisation in Iraq has been kidnapped in Baghdad this morning. A video showing Margaret Hassan in the hands of her captors has been broadcast this afternoon on the Arabic-language news service Al Jazeera. It is not yet clear which group carried out the kidnapping.
03 November 2004
Kidnappers threaten to hand Hassan over to Zarqawi terror gang
The group holding Care aid worker Margaret Hassan has threatened to hand her over to Abu Musab Al Zarqawi's terror cell if their demands for the withdrawal of UK troops from Iraq is not met. The threat was contained in a videotape handed over to the Arabic language news service Al Jazeera.
Kidnappers threaten to hand Hassan over to Zarqawi terror gang
The group holding Care aid worker Margaret Hassan has threatened to hand her over to Abu Musab Al Zarqawi's terror cell if their demands for the withdrawal of UK troops from Iraq is not met. The threat was contained in a videotape handed over to the Arabic language news service Al Jazeera.
18 November 2004
Mutilated body may be Margaret Hassan's: reports
Forensics test are being carried out on the mutilated corpse of a Western woman found in west Fallujah to assess whether it is the body of murdered aid worker Margaret Hassan, according to news agency reports emerging today.
Mutilated body may be Margaret Hassan's: reports
Forensics test are being carried out on the mutilated corpse of a Western woman found in west Fallujah to assess whether it is the body of murdered aid worker Margaret Hassan, according to news agency reports emerging today.
12 February 2004
Iraq terror bombers care nothing for the country's people: Straw
The terrorists who committed the bomb attacks in Iraq this week "care nothing for the country's people", the Foreign Secretary has said today. Mr Straw said that the perpetrators had "callously targeted" those Iraqis who wanted to "serve their countrymen and work to build a safer future for all".
Iraq terror bombers care nothing for the country's people: Straw
The terrorists who committed the bomb attacks in Iraq this week "care nothing for the country's people", the Foreign Secretary has said today. Mr Straw said that the perpetrators had "callously targeted" those Iraqis who wanted to "serve their countrymen and work to build a safer future for all".
20 October 2004
Care suspends Iraqi assistance following Hassan kidnapping
The international aid agency, Care, has suspended its activities in Iraq following the kidnapping of one of its senior staff yesterday. Margaret Hassan, Care's country director in Iraq, was abducted yesterday morning in Baghdad.
Care suspends Iraqi assistance following Hassan kidnapping
The international aid agency, Care, has suspended its activities in Iraq following the kidnapping of one of its senior staff yesterday. Margaret Hassan, Care's country director in Iraq, was abducted yesterday morning in Baghdad.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
