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(Salt Lake City-AP) -- Marine Corps officials are expected to visit the family of a U-S Marine apparently being held hostage in Iraq again today.
Wassef Ali Hassoun (wah-SEF' ah-LEE' hah-SAHN') has been seen on an Arab satellite television network, blindfolded and held captive by a militant group which is threatening to behead him if the U-S military does not release all prisoners in Iraq.
The U-S military says Hassoun went "on an unauthorized absence" June 19 and did not report for duty the next day. Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt says based on his personal situation, there was reason to suspect he was headed to Lebanon.
A family friend and spokesman would not comment on Hassoun's status and says Hassoun's family is asking all the people in the world to pray for his safe release.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
