19 October 2004	Tuesday	04 Ramazan 1425

BAGHDAD, Oct 18: Two French journalists abducted in Iraq marked their 60th day in captivity on Monday, with an agonizing uncertainty persisting over the pair's fate despite intense diplomatic efforts for their release.

Georges Malbrunot and Christian Chesnot were seized along with their Syrian driver Mohammed al-Jundi on Aug 20 on the highway between Baghdad and the Shia holy city of Najaf.

France, taken aback that French nationals were potential kidnap victims despite its stringent opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq, embarked on a string of efforts to locate the hostages and obtain their liberation.

But despite calls from French leaders, Arab satellite television stations, and Iraqi religious scholars for their release, the pair remain in the hands of their captors.

Hopes they would be released have been dashed several times, most notably when French lawmaker Didier Julia unwisely announced at the end of last month that their liberation was imminent.

Uncorroborated information has further complicated a precarious situation, with rumours circulating of suitcases stuffed with cash for mediators being passed from hand to hand.-AFP