Aid worker kidnapping: Your reaction

Gunmen holding Margaret Hassan have threatened to hand her over to militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi if British troops do not leave Iraq within 48 hours.

The warning was made as the Arab TV station Al-Jazeera broadcast new footage said to show the Care International aid worker pleading for her life before suddenly fainting.

Earlier, Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern and Mrs Hassan's Irish relatives called for her release.

Dublin-born Mrs Hassan, who was seized two weeks ago in Baghdad, has dual Iraqi and British citizenship.

What should the British government do now? What can any government do to resolve such hostage situations?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

---

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

An idealistic liberal is in danger of being killed by the very people whose cause she espoused Morgane, Dunedin New Zealand

Margaret Hassan is a Muslim Convert. She belongs to the religion of 'peace and tolerance' and other sugary statements daily spoon-fed to us by the BBC and Guardian. According to Muslim Scholars, women and children are not harmed especially "Muslim women and children". Not for the first time, an idealistic liberal is in danger of being killed by the very people whose cause she espoused.
Morgane, Dunedin New Zealand

The western world is no longer paying attention. Mrs Hassan chose to be an Iraqi, let the poor woman go, her suffering achieves nothing.
Khalid, London

Seems to me that Care should threaten to pull out of all Arab nations where they are currently giving aid. But as in the Sudan, the gutless Europeans will only wring their hands and beg others to act. By the way I am staunchly against US war and occupation of Iraq. But the hypocrisy of Europe and the Arab states disgusts me.
Maureen Spiegleman, Evergreen, CO, USA

Only a fool would be there if they didn't have to be Grasshopper, Rhyl

Although I do feel great sympathy for Margaret Hassan let's not forget that to give in to her kidnappers now, will not only let these murderers think they have won but will also mean that all the other hostages who had their lives so barbarically taken died for nothing. Also to the people who so loudly voice their opinion against the coalition occupation please remember it is not only Bush and Blair who have led their countries into this, there are several other countries who have troop out there but I don't see to much mention of them. My message to all civilians is quite simple: you know and have known for quite some time what the situation is like in Iraq, so you must take full responsibility if you are taken hostage. Only a fool would be there if they didn't have to be.
Grasshopper, Rhyl

Obviously, we are winning the war against the terrorists. Taking innocent defenceless civilians, old ladies and the like, hostage, shows that the terrorists are desperate and cannot force the Coalition out of Iraq with military power.
Richard Dayton, Brooklyn NY USA

Mrs Hassan is paying the price entering a war zone - sad as her situation, sorry for her family as I feel, she knew the risks. To bow to the kidnapper's demands would only mean an explosion in the number of hostages taken, not only in Iraq but Afghanistan, Pakistan or anywhere where terrorism is allowed to thrive.
Ross Brown, London, UK

Anyone from abroad who stays in Iraq now must be very brave. I wouldn't go for any amount of money.
Jo Holbourn, Coventry, UK

Their motives are to harm Iraq, not support it Damini, UK

All these kidnappers do is prove that their motives are to harm Iraq, not support it. The kidnappers want anarchy in Iraq, they want to contribute to a sense of lawless despair, as these are the breeding grounds for extremists. These people seek to harm Iraq or else they would not select aid workers as targets.
Damini, UK

Those people who think that Britain should concede to the demands of the terrorists holding Margaret Hassan really need to think again. If taking hostages means that terrorists can get governments to obey their commands then we will henceforth be living under the governance of terrorists. The only answer to their demands is a resounding "no".
Andy Dalton, UK

I feel with Mrs. Hassan and everyone else that has been kidnapped. Moreover, I feel with the thousands upon thousands of Iraqis that have been killed needlessly to satisfy American and British needs. I pray for the release and freedom of the imprisoned and oppressed all over the world.
Ramzi , Montreal, Canada

If there was ever a clear cut signal to all Foreign Civilians to pull out of Iraq, then this is it Alex, Glasgow, Scotland

If there was ever a clear cut signal to all Foreign Civilians to pull out of Iraq, then this is it. We should leave these people to it - enough Western Blood has been spilled. Let the Iraqi people look after themselves for the time being, until they can guarantee the safety of foreign nationals to their country.
Alex, Glasgow, Scotland

British Government have to live with their conscience for going to war in Iraq. Meanwhile, they should send in Iraqi, British and US secret service agents to find Mrs Hassan and her captors. Hostages will, it seems, continue to be taken until troops are out of Iraq or the hostage takers are captured. The British Government must act and take responsibility for their actions.
Elaine, London

These people have very different value system than us. We cannot deal with them in a way that we would call rational. The unfortunately fact is that we can only deal with them over a very long and painful period of time. Where there is a mesh of religion, politics and greed no-one wins.
Mark Frazer, NY USA

All British troops should be brought home immediately. They should never have been sent there in the first place. this is an illegal occupation of a nation state and is a slur on the decent people of the UK.
Jim McConnell, Blackpool, UK.

Now we have a terrible stalemate Jennie, Glasgow

Although it isn't Tony Blair's fault that Margaret Hassan has been taken hostage, both Blair and Bush must bear some responsibility. If the US-led coalition hadn't invaded Iraq and made such a mess of the country, it is unlikely that these hostage-takings would have occurred. They have put UK and US civilians in Iraq in a position where they are now in extreme danger. And now we have a terrible stalemate. The government cannot negotiate with these people or give in to their demands. This innocent woman, alone and frightened, it's appalling.
Jennie, Glasgow

This should not be happening. Is it worth us being in Iraq, is there any reason why they can't just sort it out between themselves? Do we or America have to stay involved?
Elizabeth Buckley, Leeds, W. Yorks

It is terrible to see aid workers caught up in this. These people are over there to help others. The governments need to stop Al-Jazeera from broadcasting and publicising such images, as this is playing into the hands of the terrorists and effectively creating a shop window for them!
James Walker, Scotland

We cannot give in to kidnappers Neil, UK

Realistically, what can the British government do? Even if we give into their demands, who's to say they will even release Mrs Hassan? What if they just increase their demands, or hand her to al-Zarqawi anyway? We cannot give in to kidnappers, as it will just encourage more of the same. This is our own fault. We should never have invaded Iraq.
Neil, UK

I would be intrigued to see what any leader of any nation, (particularly in the West) would do if it was their father, mother, husband, wife, brother, sister, son or daughter that was kidnapped. Is objective reasoning really prudent or should we not be more humane in trying every means to save this woman and other hostages? To look the other way when a car is about to hit you does not stop the car from hurting you. I struggle to understand the motives and the mentality of the governments and especially those people who claim to be in the folds of Islam, when they have forgotten the value of innocent human life.
Rownak Chooudhury, Liverpool, UK

I feel for every family involved in the effects of hostage taking but the reality is that we cannot give in to the demands of these people. If we do they will continue to take more people and steadily increase their demands. Sad but true.
Ian, Caurluke, Scotland

These people have already proven their total lack of compassion Anon, UK

These people have already proven their total lack of compassion by taking this woman, their lack of understanding of and respect for democracy. Now they compound the matter by issuing totally unrealistic demands - which even the most intellectually challenged must realise are will not be met - and show their cowardice by handing this lady over to the ruthless al-Zarqawi - presumably to finish what they have started? How can anyone suggest that Iraq can be left on its own whilst people of this ilk seek to control the country through fear, repression and violence? The occupation is not an ideal situation but it must be preferable to the prospect of these "freedom fighters" and "Islamic" fundamentalists being given carte blanche?
Anon, UK

A line has clearly been drawn in the sand this time. Although this situation is unacceptable, the government should not interact with the terrorists. This would only raise the profile of her captors - which is what they want. The militants must be defeated silently and swiftly.
Andy Bird, Cheshire, UK

As long as the media refers to these terrorists as freedom fighters who are only reacting to a foreign occupation, then there is no hope for Iraq or victims like Margaret. Iraq is in the middle of a power struggle as a result of Saddam Hussein's regime being defeated. The US and other forces are there to allow civilian contractors as well as aid workers go about their business for the benefit of the Iraqi people. The criminals and no one else is responsible for the on going misery - unless they are treated as such it will go on and on. We need to be realistic and support the coalition not fall victim of the anti-American propaganda that it seems people are so willing to accept from these criminals.
Mark, London

I can only assume that those who have kidnapped Margaret Hassan are as lacking in intelligence as they are barbaric. What is the point of kidnapping someone who has spent years living in their community, trying to counteract the effects of sanctions and who did not support the invasion of Iraq? It's tragic - may she be released back to her family and friends very soon.
Kirsty, London, UK

More totally unrealistic demands from a bunch of people who can have no intention of letting this poor woman free. The blame for this is squarely on their shoulders.
Andy D, Oxford UK

We must never surrender to the demands of hostage takers because the demands would never cease. We are fighting evil there is no word strong enough now.
George Bremer, UK

My heart goes out to this lady who has devoted her life to doing some good for humanity Martin, Reading UK

My heart goes out to this lady who has devoted her life to doing some good for humanity. To have her efforts rewarded in this manner is just not right. It also causes me to wonder why we should pay so much for our intelligence services when they seem impotent.
Martin, Reading UK

I want to say first that I hope this woman survives this ordeal. No human being should ever have to experience this. However, foreign aid workers and the like that are not of the Iraqi region should get out. It is being made quite clear that no-one is safe from these factions. In this case this woman has given a number of years of her life to helping the Iraqis to heal and this is how they repay her. The hostage takers will hopefully be ousted by honest civilian Iraqis who believe in the cause of justice and humanity. I hope for her family's sakes that she is freed to return home.
Iain Wightman, Edinburgh

What can we do? We all fear what the outcome will be, a very sad, sadistic ending. And as usual the government can't do anything, and the people holding her know that the government will not pull back the troops. Do any of these people have a heart? God help her!
Maria, Kettering, Northants

But Maria, what kind of hearts do Bush and Blair have? In my view, they're responsible for the cruel deaths of many thousands of civilians. I'm sorry, but you have to focus on that fact too.
Wendy, UK

In war people believe their side right and actions are pardonable to them for their view of a greater good. Margaret Hassan is extremely rare; an ordinary lady with a desire to help in dire circumstances away from the limelight. In all the world's religious traditions this is a virtue. Here is a truly noble human being. Mrs Hassan's treatment is an affront to Islam.
Andrew, Tokyo, Japan

This is all very sad. A life can most likely be saved if the decent thing is done, and pull out the British troops from Iraq. We, with the Americans have outstayed our welcome. The whole country is in turmoil, and will continue to spiral for as long as occupying forces are present in their country. Can we not see this? Our government have been 'negotiating' with terrorists for years, with the IRA. Why not save another life, and give these evil people what they want?
Michael, Hull, UK

The time has come to stop trying to deal with these people with diplomacy, they do not understand the basics of life.
John Tobin, Waterlooville, England

Margaret Hassan is being held by people who are evil and who cannot be reasoned with Jo, London, UK

There is nothing the British government can do to free her - Margaret Hassan is being held by people who are evil and who cannot be reasoned with. It is not Tony Blair's fault that she has been taken hostage. However, we must start to pull out troops out of Iraq for the safety of the Iraqi people, British people working there and the troops themselves.
Jo, London, UK

This is sick and dehumanising.
DB, UK

Apart from some sort of covert operation I don't think the government can do anything directly. Even if they wanted to leave Iraq it would take longer than 48 hours to get out. As I see it, the most constructive thing the government can do is lobby the leaders of the Islamic faith around the world in an effort to get them to publicly denounce these people and to expel them from their faith. In my view, the voice of Islam speaks too quietly on this subject.
Terry, Epsom, Surrey, England