US to release members of Iraqi group that kidnapped five Britons

The US military is to release all detainees linked to a Shia extremist group that kidnapped five British men two years ago. Four of the hostages are thought to be dead. General Ray Odierno, the top US commander in Iraq, plans to release all members of Asaib al-Haq–League of the Righteous–as part of what he called a wider reconciliation process in the divided country. The number of detained group members is believed to be between 300 and 400. The bodies of two of the British hostages have been recovered but Peter Moore, a computer consultant, is the only captive who might still be alive. The main demand of the kidnap group has been the release of ten people held in US detention. The latest move by the US could lead to the release of Mr Moore, if he is still alive, and the handing over of the missing bodies.