[piasa]

In light of what we were speculating about in the Guiliana Sgrena/Italian Intel agent incident on another thread, check out the post above... also look at this from this thread about an earlier hostage case in Iraq involving Italian aid workers:

During negotiations over the Italians, a Lebanese businessman with close ties to the Italian government took a leading role.
An Iraqi said: "We have already secured a statement from Zarqawi that Mr Bigley was well. Now we want to meet Mr Bigley to assure both sides that progress can be made, but it's a volatile situation."
The Lebanese negotiator, who wishes to remain anonymous, is believed to have discussed with British intelligence officers how to resolve the crisis. A ransom of $1 million (£555,925) was paid for the two Simonas, but talks about Liverpool-born Mr Bigley centre on consideration for his apologies for being in Iraq, his mother's ill health and criticism by his brother, Paul, and other family members of Tony Blair.

[piasa]

Thread on newer Italian hostage incident:

Italy steps up row with US over slain secret agent

[Fedora]

Thanks; wonder who the Lebanese businessman is.