In Fiji, it is reported that nine hostages have been released by rebels who took over the Parliament nearly eight weeks ago. Those freed are said to include all of the remaining ethnic Indian parliamentarians, except for the deposed Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, and his son. Coup leader, George Speight, and his supporters are still holding 18 hostages, most of them ethnic Fijians. The release comes three days after the rebels signed an agreement with the military government to end the hostage crisis. Under the accord, Mr Speight was supposed to release all his hostages on Thursday.
