World IN BRIEF : MIDEAST : Israel Allows Return of Iranian Passengers, Jet

The Israeli government let a hijacked Iranian plane fly back to Tehran, rejecting demands that it be used as a bargaining chip to free an Israeli airman believed to be held by Iran. The Kish Air Boeing 707 left Ovda air base in southern Israel, escorted by two Israeli F-16 jets. It had 174 passengers and crew members aboard, including five passengers who reportedly had asked for asylum. The jetliner landed at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran amid cries of “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” by dozens of friends and relatives waiting to meet the passengers, Iranian radio reported. Israel released the plane despite pressure from the family of missing Israeli airman Ron Arad. Israel holds Iran responsible for the fate of the navigator, who was shot down on a 1986 bombing mission over Lebanon.