9 Hostages Will Go Free, Negotiators Say

Western hostages held by Muslim rebels for 116 days on a remote Philippine island will be freed under a deal bankrolled by Libya, government negotiators said. But the release of the nine people, which had been expected today, will be delayed until at least Thursday. Roberto Mananquil, a member of the negotiating panel, blamed “minor hitches” but did not elaborate. The hostages were part of a group of 21 people kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf rebels in April from Malaysia’s Sipadan diving resort. Their release would leave three Malaysians and two Filipinos from that group still in captivity.