United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed news of the release of the Iraqi, Egyptian, and Italian civilian hostages in Iraq and reiterated his demand that all hostages be released, U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard said. "He once again calls for the immediate release of all the remaining hostages in Iraq," said Eckhard. "He strongly condemns all hostage-taking, which no cause can justify, and appeals to all parties to adhere strictly to the fundamental precepts of human rights and the respect for human life." There have been more than 140 foreigners taken hostage in Iraq since April 2004, according to reports. Twenty-six have been killed, and there are currently 18 in captivity, including 10 Turks, four Lebanese, an Iraqi-American, two French journalists, and one Briton.
