Tehran Newspaper Calls for Release of 2nd U.S. Hostage

TEHRAN — The Tehran Times called today for the release of a second U.S. hostage in Lebanon after Robert Polhill was freed by pro-Iranian captors Sunday.

The newspaper, which is close to President Hashemi Rafsanjani, said that “to contribute to the establishment of a general atmosphere of trust, the Lebanese groups should release another American hostage.”

“By so doing, they once more prove their goodwill and preparedness for the settlement of the issue.”

An informed Iranian source said that he expects another American to be freed by Friday. The source, who asked not to be identified, said this should be followed by the release by Israel of Shiite Muslim cleric Abdel Karim Obeid, abducted by Israeli commandos from southern Lebanon last year.

Obeid is a senior member of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, or Party of God, an umbrella group for various extremist organizations believed to be holding seven Americans and other Westerners in Lebanon.

In Jerusalem, Israel declined to comment Sunday on whether the release of Polhill was part of a larger deal to free Israeli-held Arab prisoners.

Yossi Olmert, the Government Press Office director, said, “We have no comment on this, no comment at all.”