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MANILA (AFP) - Libya has approved a new deal proposed by Manila to settle the prolonged hostage crisis in the southern Philippines, an aide of the chief negotiator said Tuesday. A Philippine government emissary was expected to deliver the formula, details of which were being kept under wraps, this week to the Abu Sayyaf group holding 28 hostages on Jolo Island, the aide to Roberto Aventajado said. The aide said that Libya's point man in the negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf, Rajab Azzarouq, conveyed Tripoli's decision to Aventajado late Monday. "Last night, Libya gave Azzarouq the go-ahead signal for the implementation of the formula," he said. Unconfirmed reports said the deal was based on either more ransom money for the kidnappers or allowing the four women hostages to be freed first. Libya is reported to be providing the ransom money to the Islamists, delivered either as cash or as aid to Islamic areas in the mainly Roman Catholic Philippines. Azzarouq is from the Kadhafi Charity Organization run by Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi's son Seif, which is mediating the release of the hostages, 12 Westerners and 16 Filipinos. |
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