Terry Waite pleads for compassion

Terry Waite urges the captors to act in a positive way for Islam

Former Beirut captive Terry Waite has pledged to hostage Ken Bigley that his plight has not been forgotten.

Speaking on BBC World Service, he urged his abductors to act with mercy and compassion for the good of Islam.

Mr Waite told Sunday's Talking Point programme: "If, by chance, Mr Bigley and other hostages are listening - we stand by you and support you."

He met on Saturday with Mr Bigley's family in the UK to try and comfort relatives awaiting news.

In his BBC interview, Mr Waite said to the captors: "At the heart of Islam, you know there lies mercy and compassion.

The militants threatened to kill the hostages one by one

"And God has given you an opportunity - to the whole world, before the world's attention, to show that mercy and compassion.

"It's within your power to do that, and thus to propagate something that is positive from Islam."

Mr Waite also addressed the people of Iraq: "We have enormous sympathy for the sufferings that you have gone through in the past and that you currently go through.

"You are not forgotten in British minds."

Mr Waite, who was held hostage for five years, said listening to the World Service during his ordeal was a "lifeline".

To the captors, I would say this: At the heart of Islam, you know there lies mercy and compassion Former Beirut hostage Terry Waite Profile: Kenneth Bigley

Before he was given a radio, he feared that he had been forgotten.

He also defended media coverage of abductions and killings in Iraq.

He said: "It is necessary to report and it's a good thing to keep channels open.

"If you close them, you stand the chance of the terrorists performing even more extreme acts to get onto the public stage."

Mr Waite met on Saturday with Mr Bigley's family in the UK to offer comfort and support.

He also criticised Prime Minister Tony Blair for not negotiating with militants to save Mr Bigley's life.

The kidnappers have threatened to kill the 62-year-old civil engineer unless the UK and US release all women held in Iraqi jails.

The Tawhid and Jihad group has already beheaded two Americans captured with Mr Bigley in Baghdad.