JOLO - Libyan diplomats brokering a deal for the release of hostages from Jolo Island in the Philippines have threatened to pull out.
The Gaddafi International Association for Charitable Organisations, run by the son of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, said that it would withdraw its negotiators if there were no positive signs from the Islamic Abu Sayyaf guerrillas holding the 28 hostages.
"All the ingredients are there for a solution," said the leader of the Libyan group, Rajab Azzarouq. "It's up to them. We want them to get their act together."
Unknown sums of money are believed to have been offered by the Libyans in return for the tourists. Press reports speak of $US25 million ($55.5 million); in return, the hostages' home Governments, including France, are said to have promised to help Libya rehabilitate itself in the international community, although this is vigorously denied.
There are also suggestions that the cash paid to the separatist rebels by the Gaddafi charity would be reimbursed quietly by Western Governments, which is also denied by French officials.
Some $US5.5 million is believed to have been paid last month for the release of six Malaysians and a German woman.
The newly cash-rich guerrillas have been on a weapons-buying spree, tripling the blackmarket price of an M-14 to 60,000 pesos ($3000).
Thousands of villagers were yesterday fleeing their homes on Jolo, fearful of being caught in a showdown between the military and guerrillas, village chief Asjada Abdu said.
The ranks of the guerrillas had swelled to 4500 and "each day the Abu Sayyaf numbers are increasing drastically," he said, as ransom money from hostages released so far was splashed out on new weapons, attracting new fighters.
At least 7000 civilians had fled nine villages in the area where the rebels are holding their remaining hostages, who include 12 Westerners, said Abdu, the village chief of central Talipao and head of the local pro-Government private army.
"These villages are virtually a ghost town, in fact we have declared them a no-man's land. There are no more civilians in these areas but guerrillas," he said.
The Abu Sayyaf at the weekend refused to go ahead with the agreed release of all their hostages, fearing a military attack.
The Government has denied the Army is active in Jolo, but Abdu said there were soldiers in the area to protect civilians fleeing to avoid being caught in the crossfire in any attack, and because they were afraid of the guerrillas.
"Basically they are afraid of the Abu Sayyaf because almost every day rebels are test-firing their new weapons. Most of these are M-14, M-16 rifles including M-16 machine-guns," he said.
"The weapons are being test-fired from morning to night-time."
- INDEPENDENT
Philippine guerrillas frustrate hostage brokers
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