Islamic Group Holding Lorry Drivers Demands Firm Quit Iraq

BAGHDAD, Aug 26 (AFP) - A group calling itself the Secret Islamic Army (SIA) will release seven hostages it has been holding for more than a month as soon as their Kuwaiti company says it will no longer operate in Iraq, the SIA announced Thursday.
The seven -- three Indians, three Kenyans and an Egyptian -- are all lorry drivers working for the Kuwait Gulf Link Company (KGL) who were abducted on July 21 and threatened with execution if KGL did not end its work in Iraq.
"The leadership of the Secret Islamic Army announces it is prepared to release its hostages on condition that the Kuwiati company announces publicly that it will cease to work in Iraq and withdraws immediately," the SIA said in a written statement, of which AFP obtained a copy.
In addition to the withdrawal of KGL from Iraq, the SIA is also demanding the release of Iraqi prisoners held in Kuwait and in detention centres run by the United States.