The family of a Lebanese-American marine held hostage in Iraq is confident that he is free and well, although relatives have not heard directly from him.
The brother of Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun said he had not heard from him but said they he reliable information that he is free.
Although he had not spoken with his brother, who was serving as a translator with the US Marines in Iraq when he went missing on June 20th, Sami Hassoun said "we received a sign from my brother reassuring us".
He would not say what was the sign, but said the family received information deemed credible from a person he did not identify who came to their home in Tripoli, Libya.
There were reports yesterday that he had told his captors he would quit the US military in return for his life.