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(Beirut, Lebanon-AP) -- The brother of a Marine being held hostage in Iraq says he's relieved but cautious after hearing the latest news about his brother's fate.
A militant group denies that it beheaded Corporal W assef Ali Hassoun despite a posting on several extremist Web sites that said yesterday Hassoun had been killed.
Sami Hassoun says the family is still worried and appealed to the kidnappers to release his brother. Hassoun spoke from Lebanon, where some of the Marine's relatives still live. Others who live in suburban Salt Lake City remain in seclusion.
With the conflicting reports and no hard evidence, the family remains afraid for Wassef's life and is still reeling from the possibility he had been beheaded.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
