41.   The rebels have freed most of the hostages, and say they will free the rest only after the government agrees to release hundreds of their comrades from jail.

42.   The rebels freed four hostages for medical reasons Thursday, including one man in a wheelchair, Red Cross spokesman Steven Anderson said.

43.   The rebels also freed a kidnapped Serb policeman Tuesday, calling it an act of good will.

44.   The rebels freed the Uruguayan ambassador last week after Uruguay released two Tupac Amaru rebels jailed there.

45.   The rebels have freed several hostages, but they have seized others on Basilan island.

46.   The report could not be immediately confirmed, and it was unclear whether rebels had freed all seven women -- six from Italy and one from Brazil.

47.   The Russians insist the rebels free the hostages and give up their arms, while the Chechens want a guarantee of safe passage back to their breakaway republic.

48.   The U.N. Security Council has condemned UNITA for shooting down the first plane, while Russia has demanded that the rebels free the crew.

49.   Though leftist rebels have freed most of their hostages, they still hold an impressive list of diplomats and public officials to keep their bargaining power high.

50.   Two British hostages freed by rebels in Sierra Leone after five months in captivity returned home Saturday saying their captors had become their friends.