3 Freed Hostages Head Home; Efforts Go On

Three Malaysian resort workers held for four months by Philippine Muslim rebels headed home, and Libya said it will keep working with European countries to win the release of 24 people still in captivity. The three Malaysians were released Friday, but they temporarily stayed with another rebel faction for safety after their van ran out of gasoline. The Abu Sayyaf rebels who ransomed them still hold 24 hostages, including 12 Westerners. The rebels, who seek an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines, reneged on a plan to release all their hostages Saturday. At the time, Libyan mediators blamed the Philippine military for the breakdown and threatened to withdraw, but on Sunday, they dropped the ultimatum.