Saleh appeals for release of Iraq captives

SANAA, Yemen, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh Thursday appealed for the release of all hostages being held in Iraq.

The official Yemeni News Agency, Sabaa, quoted Saleh as saying, "Such acts targeting innocent civilians do not serve the Iraqi people and its cause and contradict religious, humanitarian and moral norms."

Saleh said "it is not in the interest of the Iraqi people to antagonize American and French people ... by resorting to such acts against civilians who go to Iraq either to make a living or for media coverage."

French journalist Florence Aubina and U.S. national Roy Hallums are among those being held by suspected Sunni Muslim insurgents.