Free Republic

Italian intelligence officials who secured the release of two hostages in Iraq are working with their British counterparts to try to free Kenneth Bigley, the captive Briton. They believe that Sunni Muslim insurgents who kidnapped Simona Pari and Simona Torretta, the aid workers freed last week, have links with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Tawhid wal Jihad, the group holding Mr Bigley. The engineer, 62, was captured 16 days ago with two American colleagues, who have been beheaded. An Italian diplomat said: "Italy's intelligence is working very closely with Britain's to lend every assistance to free the hostage. It has...

US troops in Iraq have captured two former Iraqi army generals in the town of Falluja, US officials have said. Military sources said the pair are believed to have financed and organised anti-coalition fighters in the area, west of Baghdad. The Pentagon, meanwhile, has announced plans to send thousands of additional troops to Iraq early next year. But, defence officials said the number of US troops currently serving in Iraq could be reduced by next May. Falluja raided Military officials said the generals were captured by paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division in an early morning raid in Falluja, about...