Updated: 07:21, Sunday December 25, 2005
A Muslim group has renewed its calls for the release of British hostage Norman Kember in Iraq.
The 74-year-old peace campaigner, from north London, was seized in Baghdad on November 26.
Dr Azzam Tamimi of the Muslim Association of Britain issued a televised appeal from the headquarters of Arabic TV station al Jazeera in Qatar.
He said: "Norman Kember and his three friends were in Iraq as true friends of the Iraqi people.
"They were there to highlight the issues, concerns and the sufferings of the Iraqi people and the occupation.
"It will not help the cause of Iraq and the Iraqis by taking hostage such people."
He said the appeal was backed by "prominent leaders across the world", including those of Hamas and Hezbollah.
Earlier, Mr Kember's family launched a special Christmas appeal for his release. Adverts in Arabic are being printed in Iraqi newspapers and broadcast on radio.
The Swords of Righteousness Brigade claims to have kidnapped Mr Kember, along with two Canadians and an American.
They had threatened to kill all the hostages by December 10, but there has been no news from the group since the deadline passed.
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