BAGHDAD, July 27: Iraq's President Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar on Tuesday vowed there would be no compromise with hostage-takers. "We will never give in to their demands or negotiate with them," Mr Yawar told reporters after meeting with tribal chieftains from the restive western province of Anbar, where most of the hostages are suspected to be held.

"How can those who kidnap a poor truck-driver who has only come to Iraq to earn a living call themselves Muslims?" A wave of hostage-taking by alleged militants has plagued Iraq.

The latest victims are two Jordanians, two Pakistanis and an Iraqi working for a foreign contractor, while seven truck-drivers working for a Kuwaiti firm were kidnapped last week. -AFP