FIS leader fasts for Iraq hostages (exiled Algerian Islamic party leader)

[Aidoneus]

FIS leader fasts for Iraq hostages
Wednesday 15 September 2004

The leader of the outlawed Algerian Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) Abbasi Madani has gone on a hunger strike in the Qatari capital Doha to demonstrate for the release of two French journalists and two Italian women held captive in Iraq.

"I have decided to do this for moral and not political reasons," the ailing Islamic leader told Aljazeera in an interview from his bedside on Tuesday.

During his interview, Madani insisted he had not consulted the French or Italian governments before beginning his hunger strike. "I have absolutely no connections to any foreign government", he said.

He said the hunger strike was dedicated to the liberation of those who sought freedom. "I am ready to die for the liberation of those who serve just causes, but not for those hired to kill others," Madani said.

French journalists Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot have been held captive in Iraq since 20 August, while Italian aid workers Simona Pari and Simona Torretta were kidnapped one week ago.

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http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/572A65BB-753F-4CE4-9EA6-7A0DCDDF9ECD.htm