Howard considers appeal for hostage on Arabic TV

CANBERRA - Prime Minister John Howard has left open the option of making his own appeal on Arabic television for the release of Australian hostage Douglas Wood amid reports the Wood family is considering paying a ransom.

The Daily Telegraph reported Mr Wood's family was contemplating paying for the 63-year-old's release after an impassioned plea to his captors to spare his life was met with silence.

Five days after a DVD surfaced showing Mr Wood pleading for his life at the feet of his captors, nothing more has been heard about his fate, despite Mr Wood's family making a public appeal broadcast in Iraq.

Mr Howard said he would give careful thought to any advice he receives about whether he too should make an appeal.

The Prime Minister has backed the handling of the issue by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Defence Minister Robert Hill, and praised the behaviour of Mr Wood's family.

The government has said it would not pay a ransom and would not encourage anyone else to.

- AAP