Hostage hope for Bigley

Two kidnapped Italian aid workers were today reunited with their families after being released and flown home from Iraq.

Simona Pari and Simona Torretta, both 29, were snatched from their charity offices in Baghdad three weeks ago.

They were handed over to the Red Cross in Baghdad with two Iraqi engineers amid reports of the payment of a £550,000 ransom by the Italian government.

In a separate incident, another group of kidnappers released three Egyptian telecommunications workers abducted last week. The developments were greeted with joy by the family of British hostage Ken Bigley, 62. His brother Paul said: "I was already feeling more optimistic about Ken's chances and this must improve them still further." Rumours of the possible release of Mr Bigley, started by an Islamic website, remain unconfirmed.

The homecoming of the two Italian hostages, wearing Arabic dress, prompted celebrations in their home city of Rome, where tens of thousands had taken part in candlelit vigils. The Pope said he felt "great joy" at their release. After landing in Rome Miss Torretta said: "We are fine. We were treated with respect."