29 October 2004 -- Iraqi officials say interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi will send a team to rebel-held Al-Fallujah to discuss clearing the city of insurgents and heavy weapons.
National Council member Ahmad al-Barrak told AFP news agency that Allawi has agreed to send a team of negotiators to Al-Fallujah in what he called "a last attempt" at mediation before a possible military assault against the city.
Meanwhile, Japan is checking a report that the body of an Asian person has been found in Iraq after the 48-hour deadline expired for the beheading of 24-year-old Japanese hostage Shosei Koda.
Al-Qaeda associate Abu Mu'sab al-Zarqawi's group has said it will behead Koda unless Japan withdraws its troops from Iraq.
Tokyo has said its troops will stay put.
(Reuters/AFP)
Meanwhile, Japan is checking a report that the body of an Asian person has been found in Iraq after the 48-hour deadline expired for the beheading of 24-year-old Japanese hostage Shosei Koda.
Al-Qaeda associate Abu Mu'sab al-Zarqawi's group has said it will behead Koda unless Japan withdraws its troops from Iraq.
Tokyo has said its troops will stay put.
(Reuters/AFP)