The Lebanese kidnappers of seven Western hostages will not free any of them until direct talks between Israel and its Arab foes are concluded at the Middle East peace conference, a ranking Muslim religious figure said Friday.
"There will be no release of hostages before the middle of November following the bilateral talks between the Israelis and the Arabs," the cleric told United Press International."The powers linked to the captors don't wish to see a release of hostages before evaluating Israel's stance on various hanging regional issues," said the cleric, who asked not to be identified.
Iran's latest gestures regarding the hostage plight "constituted a significant factor" affecting an ongoing U.N.-sponsored informal process aimed at resolving the 9-year hostage saga, he said.
Iran's represenative at the United Nations, Kamal Kharrazi was quoted as saying earlier this week that Israel should release Arab prisoners to facilitate efforts by the international body.
Meanwhile, the Muslim-owned Ash-Shiraa magazine reported that Anglican Church envoy Terry Waite may be the next hostage to regain freedom.
"Waite may be freed very soon," Ash-Shiraa said, quoting a "well informed" source. "Waite's name has been suggested strongly, but another hostage may be chosen." Waite, 52, an envoy of the Archbishop of Canterbury, disappeared during a mission in Beirut to free hostages Jan. 20, 1987.
There have been mounting fears in Beirut that heightened violence in southern Lebanon may negatively affect efforts to free the captives.