Leaflet plea for Bigley release

Ken Bigley's family appealed for his release in the leaflets

More than 100,000 leaflets from Ken Bigley's family pleading for his release have been distributed in Baghdad.

British Muslim leaders have also appealed to Mr Bigley's captors in the pamphlet, saying the kidnap is not consistent with the Islamic faith.

The Foreign Office said the papers were distributed outside mosques before Friday morning prayers.

The Bigleys' message for the Liverpool engineer read: "We love and need him".

'World is watching'

Mr Bigley has been held hostage in Iraq for more than two weeks.

A Foreign Office spokesman told BBC News Online the leaflets were distributed at his family's request.

He said one Muslim leader from the region wrote: "Islam is a peaceful religion. Releasing Ken would be an act of compassion. The world is watching."

TIMELINE 16 Sept: Two Americans and Ken Bigley taken hostage 18 Sept: All three appear in video with captors 20 Sept: American Eugene Armstrong beheaded 21 Sept: American Jack Hensley beheaded 22 Sept: Ken Bigley appears on video, appealing for help from Tony Blair 29 Sept: Second video plea made by Bigley Kenneth Bigley's appeal

Other appeals came from British Muslim leaders including Iqbal Sacranie, of the Muslim Council of Britain, who wrote: "We appeal to the group that is holding Ken Bigley, to release him without delay and without harm.

"He is an elderly man and he is due to become a grandfather soon. Be merciful," he added.

Yusuf Islam, also from the Muslim Council of Britain, urged the captors to release Mr Bigley "for the good name of our religion and according to the sayings of Allah in the Glorious Qu'ran".

The Bigley family signed off the leaflets saying "We appeal to Ken's captors to return Ken home to us safely. We love him and we need him."

Colleagues beheaded

Last week, 50,000 leaflets carrying a personal plea from the family were distributed by the British Embassy in Baghdad.

Mr Bigley was taken hostage on 16 September by the hardline Tawhid and Jihad group, along with two American colleagues, who were beheaded a few days later.

The Bigley family has made several appeals for his release.

Downing Street has stressed the government's position of not negotiating with terrorists.

Tony Blair has spoken to the family and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has told them the government is doing everything it can to help free Mr Bigley.