New Delhi: Government today (July 25, 2004) continued efforts for early release of the three Indians held hostage in Iraq and made fresh appeals to their captors to set them free.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed made an appeal through television networks in Iraq, Kuwait, Oman and some other gulf countries last night (July 24, 2005) for release of the hostages.

In a broadcast made over Iraq National Television channels, al-Arabia network and television stations in Kuwait and Oman, he said that the hostages were innocent people and urged their captors to free them.

Ahamed said India had taken a firm decision against sending troops to Iraq, raised its voice internationally for the Gulf country's sovereignty, provided humanitarian assistance to Iraqi people and upheld the Arab cause.

External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh assured father of one of the hostages Antaryami yesterday that the Government would do its utmost to secure safe release and return of Indians.

Antaryami's father Rama Murthi also met President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and requested them to ensure his son returned safely from Iraq.

The Kuwait-based company, which employed Antaryami, Tilak Raj and Sukhdeo Singh as truck drivers, said it was negotiating with the kidnappers to free them as soon as possible.