Annan welcomes release of hostages in Iraq

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the news that Iraqi, Egyptian and Italian civilians held hostage in Iraq had been released, and again decried the use of kidnapping to further a cause.

A spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement the Secretary-General "once again calls for the immediate release of all the remaining hostages in Iraq."

"He strongly condemns all hostage taking, which no cause can justify and appeals to all parties to adhere strictly to the fundamental precepts of human rights and respect for human life," spokesman Fred Eckhard said.