Meanwhile, one of the four European hostages freed last weekend said that some of the female hostages released earlier had been raped by the rebels.

Yes, would it be a possibility, perhaps, that Sir Edward Heath, might try to get the other European hostages out?

Over the next two days, Tewodros released his European hostages, and on Monday the defeated emperor committed suicide rather than be captured.

Three days later, the two final European hostages, a pair of French reporters, were also freed.

A group of 17 European hostages was freed in Algeria by Algerian special forces in May.

He is wanted in Algeria for many crimes, including the killing of 43 Algerian soldiers and the kidnapping of 32 European hostages, both last year.

He also agreed to hand over three more European hostages to Akbar Khan.

Tewodros refused to cede to the unconditional surrender, but did release the European hostages.

European hostages and those who had been able to hide started to come under the control and protection of the French.

The plight of remaining American and European hostages in Lebanon no longer dominates the front page and the television screen.