The World - News from Aug. 24, 1987

Iran has blocked a $5-million deal to free British church envoy Terry Waite, who was kidnaped in Beirut seven months ago, a senior Lebanese militia source said. “It was a business deal between elements directly in charge of Waite’s captivity and a political faction in (Muslim) West Beirut,” the source said. “It fell through when the power behind Waite’s seizure found out and interrupted the process.” The Beirut magazine Al Shiraa had reported that the release of the 47-year-old Anglican Church envoy in exchange for $5 million was imminent.