No Comment From Bonn on Hostages
The West German government declined comment Saturday on reports from Beirut of an offer to trade two German hostages for two accused Lebanese terrorists.
Deutsche Presse-Agentur, the West German news agency, quoted “informed circles” in Bonn as saying the government is studying the message from the group, Strugglers for Freedom, which claims to hold Rudolph Cordes, 53, and Alfred Scmhidt, 47.
In West Beirut, meantime, a Lebanese-born Italian citizen kidnaped last Monday was freed. Joseph Khoury was handed over to Italian Ambassador Antonio Mancini on Saturday by the Shia Muslim Amal militia.
The private Voice of the Nation radio quoted militia spokesman Hassan Youssef as saying that Amal’s security apparatus “located the captive and freed him.”
The broadcast also said that Khoury, who is also a Lebanese citizen, was an employee at the Italian Embassy in West Beirut.
Police would not say why Khoury, 20, was kidnaped or why his abduction was kept secret.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
