Palestinian official: 'First promising signs' seen in efforts to free kidnapped Fox journalists

GAZA CITY, Gaza City (AP) _ A senior Palestinian security official said Friday he saw the ``first promising signs'' in efforts to free two Fox journalists who were abducted in Gaza nearly two weeks

Friday, August 25th 2006, 8:41 am

By: News On 6

GAZA CITY, Gaza City (AP) _ A senior Palestinian security official said Friday he saw the ``first promising signs'' in efforts to free two Fox journalists who were abducted in Gaza nearly two weeks ago.

The comments by Interior Minister Said Siyam of Hamas marked the first upbeat assessment by Palestinian officials since Fox correspondent Steve Centanni of Washington, D.C., and cameraman Olaf Wiig of New Zealand were seized from their TV can in Gaza City on Aug. 14.

``Efforts and contacts are being made to guarantee the safety and bring about the release of the two guests of Palestine,'' Siyam said outside a Gaza City mosque. ``There are first promising signs,'' he said, but did not elaborate. Earlier this week, Palestinian security officials said they had no leads.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said winning their release is at the top of his agenda. ``I have appealed to the kidnappers not to harm the journalists and to release them immediately,'' he added.

The kidnappers are demanding the release of all Muslims held by the U.S. by midnight Saturday, in exchange for the two journalists. It is not clear whether the kidnappers are local militants, either with ties to Hamas or the rival Fatah movement, or sneaked into Gaza from outside.

On Wednesday, the kidnappers released video of the hostages for the first time. Wearing track suits, Centanni and Wiig are seen sitting cross-legged on the floor of a dark apartment. They said they were being treated well.