Deadline for Australian hostage Douglas Wood looms
An Australian Muslim leader, Sheikh Taj El-din Al Hilaly, is leaving for Iraq this evening as a deadline nears for Australian hostage Douglas Wood. The group holding Wood has threatened to murder him unless the Australian government agrees to a troop withdrawal by 5am tomorrow. Sheikh Al Hilaly is hoping to make direct contact with the terrorists and secure the release of Mr Woods. The Howard government has clearly indicated it has no intention of negotiating with the hostage-takers or agreeing to a withdrawal time frame. But anti-war groups say the time has come to end the occupation of Iraq and are calling on Howard to outline an exit strategy. The Sydney Peace and Justice Coalition claim the occupation is illegal and is fuelling the on going bloodshed. Group convenor and former Labor Senator Bruce Childs spoke earlier with Erica Vowles.