The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

Pull out the contractors and remove the opportunity for kidnapping CB, UK

I know someone who has gone to work in Iraq, as the money on offer was too great for them to resist. I, and others, said it was insane for them to even consider the offer, but the lure of massive payouts is playing into the hands of the kidnappers by guaranteeing a ready stream of naive Westerners who have never worked in such a hostile environment. Pull out the contractors and remove the opportunity for kidnapping.
CB, UK

As long as companies offer enormous wages to work in Iraq, people will flock there. I work in Iraq, and the number of people I see every day, flying into Baghdad who have no idea what they are letting themselves in for is staggering. Beware. If you are planning to work over here, you are entering a war zone and just because you are a foreigner, it does not mean that you are not a target.
Frazer, Amman, Jordan

Given the sophistication of modern tracking technology, why is it not possible to microchip all contractors and other personnel working in Iraq. Has this been considered?
Phil Farrell, Melbourne, Australia

I made the mistake of watching one of the beheading videos on the Internet. Ask anyone what picture they conjure up in their head of someone being beheaded and they will probably say that it is a very quick act. This certainly wasn't the case on the video I saw. These people have no respect for mankind. We are shielded from seeing these acts on television, but I can guarantee that if everyone witnessed the truth, something would have to be done to stop it. We have to either go back and finish the job or pull out completely.
Mike, UK

All this "nothing can be done" and "no negotiation" is rubbish. What about MI5/MI6? Why do we pay for Mr Scarlett and his huge staff? Surely they have some responsibility to know of these things? Why are the politicians allowed to shrug shoulders, give platitudes without explaining why they are doing nothing. It is a disgrace!
L Kelly, Fareham, England

The kidnappings escalated after the first ransom was paid Scott Rose, Marietta

No one should ever bargain with terrorists. The kidnappings escalated after the first ransom was paid. There are several groups who are resorting to kidnapping in order to get what they want. Some only want money and some want media exposure. The same thing is happening in South America and Central America to this day. This cannot go on. The longer that we negotiate and pay off these thugs the more kidnappings will occur. I don't want to see anyone die, but the fact of the matter is that the moment you become a prisoner to Al Zarqawi's group, you're already dead. They have killed too many people to stop now. They no longer remember what they started fighting for. Now they are only interested in killing.
Scott Rose, Marietta, Georgia, USA

Why not electronically tag the female prisoners, release them, and when Mr Bigley is back in Liverpool, track them down and recapture them?
Pat Beckham, Leeds England

Whilst I have every sympathy for the families of Bigley (and future victims) we must not give in to terrorism. Doing so will only make this method work. This week I visited Auschwitz and am even more clear that history must not be repeated. Terrorism must be defeated.
David Haddow, Glasgow, UK

You cannot talk to these evil Kidnappers - who take innocent people and execute them. These are the same people who enjoyed Iraq when Saddam was in charge. There is only one way to deal with these people - Kill them. They say it's in the name of God or Islam, well that's just not true. They are quite simply animals who need putting out of their misery. God bless all the innocent people killed in the liberation of Iraq. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families and loved ones regardless of what nationality they are.
Stephen, Sheffield, England

I think now it is too late to withdraw, but it may be the only way. They are not only killing soldiers but also humanists, politicians, and also poor people. They have proved they do not deserve the attention of Western Countries. I think all these kidnapping and bombings, not only in Iraq but also in Russia and Israel are provoked by the same group of people and I think everybody is clear what they deserve.
Luiz, Albania

If you go into a lion's den, don't be surprised if the lion bites you Irene, USA

The murder of Daniel Pearl was shocking and horrific. I don't think any of us expected it. Although reporters have been killed in the past, I don't think Mr. Pearl had any idea this was possible in his case. Now, we know. I think people should understand before they take a job like Mr. Bigley did that this is a possible outcome. By now, we have enough information about what can happen that we need to take some responsibility. If you go into a lion's den, don't be surprised if the lion bites you.
Irene, USA

Has everyone overlooked the fact that Zarqawi, the mastermind of much of this bloodshed, is a Jordanian and not an Iraqi? So much for "Iraqi" terrorists trying to free their country, this is organised by a plain terrorist who clearly loves bloodshed and media attention. I can't believe he gives a fig about Iraq.
S Jones, UK

The 2 female prisoners must be released. All ex-pats choosing to work in the area must leave, or the same thing is going to happen over and over again.
EB, Brighton UK

As sad and gruesome and appalling as all this is, those people must have known that they were in great danger going to work in Iraq. After all, there had already been dozens of kidnappings and executions of foreigners before they were taken. We all face risks in our life and we do what we feel is necessary to mitigate those risks. These guys must have been aware that the risks of being kidnapped were high and that the consequences would be grave. In addition they must also have known the track record of the UK and the US in dealing with terrorists and that is - they don't deal.
Mick, Leeds UK

Can some explain to me what these people seek to achieve? Chris Seabrook, Horsham

Can some explain to me what these people seek to achieve? They know that neither government will back down. I find it so cowardly. They have nothing to be proud of. My heart goes out to the family of Ken Bigley.
Chris Seabrook, Horsham, West Sussex

After reading the text of Kenneth Bigley I feel sick to the pit of my stomach. A man so desperate to save his own life is being used as a tool in this crazy war! For Bush & Blair to turn their backs on his pleas is shameful and shows them for what they are - uncaring and uncivilised!! Shame on you Tony Blair!
Lisa, Ireland

I think the sooner our lads and ladies of the armed forces can clear Iraq of the religious fanatics who are capable of committing such atrocities on fellow human beings, the better. People who are willing to perform such extreme stunts for worldwide acclaim, or even if they genuinely do simply want their chemical weapons scientists, these people are not wanting peace. They are waging a war, with themselves and the rest of the civilized world. Actions such as this belong in the Dark Ages, not in the 21st century.
Sebastian, Cardiff

Surely now the kidnappers have gained enough in terms of publicity, confusion and fear through the worlds media. It is time for Mr Bigley's family to consider the larger picture and refrain from incessantly seeking media contact. Their publicised pleas to the PM have likely prolonged the agony even more. These incidents should be kept away from the sensationalist media. Deterrents and counter-measures need to be intensified dramatically.
George, Manchester, UK

They love the country and its people A Smart, Cornwall

Kenneth Bigley and other members of his family have over many years, it seems, worked in the Middle East and in Iraq. From interviews it comes across that they themselves love the country and its people. So my message to Ken's captors is - let this man go, he has been a friend to your people for many years. Let him live out his days and grow old in peace back here in England. Whatever the rights or wrongs of the conflict in Iraq, he has only ever helped your people so show him compassion and let him go free.
A Smart, Cornwall

Exchange the two women for Bigley, for heaven's sake, and use the information obtained to get Zarqawi later.
Gerry, UK

The companies winning contracts for reconstruction in Iraq should be required to compensate the families of the hostages who are murdered. If not, the engineers and technicians should stay home
Murray, Prince George, Canada

Once upon a time Iraq was a sovereign nation but is now a land occupied by US and UK military. The US and UK governments should respond by giving the country of Iraq back to the people who live there. The so-called militants are people who want their country back. Would we not do what they are doing if our countries were occupied by foreigners?
Bob Sapp, Columbia, USA

I've been utterly opposed to this war, but I'm of the opinion that an all-out assault on Falluja should take place soon Alan, South Korea

I've been utterly opposed to this war, but I'm of the opinion that an all-out assault on Falluja - if indeed that's where al-Zarqawi is - should take place soon. Civilians will die, but they are dying anyway. It's time to exterminate these fanatics.
Alan, Seoul, South Korea

How arrogant to think you can illegally invade, kill people, and then occupy their country because they have non existent WMD and a bad guy in charge who was supported by the West during his worst acts of brutality ....and now we plead for mercy ?
Dr S SenGupta, St John, Antigua

Anyone who believes that these people will stop taking and killing hostages just because the US and Britain won't deal with them is naive.
Doug, Stanwood, USA

I don't think the media is showing enough. I made what may have been the mistake of watching the beheading of Mr Armstrong. I had to turn it off before the very end. What it made me feel is best described as teeth clenching fury. I'm pretty much the pacifist, I don't even own a gun (in the American south that is unusual.) After seeing the video all I wanted was the complete destruction of Zarqawi and anyone associated with him. I can't imagine a better recruitment video for the military.
Scotty S, MS, USA

The more we see these horrific behaviours I believe the world is beginning to ask "what is Islam and how can it allow such things?"
Richard Ryan, Chicago USA

Jack Straw is correct in saying that Ken Bigley is placed in an appalling situation by evil men. Like WMD they are not to be found in Iraq but in Downing St and the Pentagon!
Ray, UK

India negotiated for 40 days and finally got innocent out of Iraq. UK government doesn't seem to be interested in freeing a British. It's all game of power and money. Poor chap. May god helps him. Iraq invasion (not war) has killed more number of people than total people killed by terrorist or militant attacks in world. So who is actual terrorist or militant?Prashant, India

The situation looks bleak either way Lena-Bryony, Crewe

What can we hope for? The situation looks bleak either way; if foreign governments negotiate with terrorists they demonstrate that terrorism works, if they do not then innocent lives will be lost. I'm only glad that I do not have to make these decisions for real.
Lena-Bryony, Crewe, UK

I am appalled to see that the major news channels are broadcasting the video of Mr Bigley made by terrorists. This plays into the hands of the terrorist and will only encourage further hostage taking.
Dave Medcroft, Bristol, UK

Whilst retaining every sympathy for Kenneth Bigley's family, I do believe that to free the female Iraqi prisoners now would be nothing less than a fallacy. Those in favour of doing so should consider how the families of the two beheaded American hostages will feel, knowing that their loved ones died as part of a bluff-calling game and nothing more. All the UK and US governments can now do is try their best to ensure that no more hostages are taken, in order to prevent further horrific incidents such as this.
Jasper, Leeds, UK

Satisfying terrorist demands virtually guarantees future acts of brutality Richard Melville, Bronx, NY, USA

History has taught us that appeasement only makes aggressors more aggressive. Satisfying terrorist demands virtually guarantees future acts of brutality. These people are not interested in the welfare of the Iraqi people. They've killed more Iraqi civilians and police with car bombs than they've killed coalition troops. These are the same people who will impose Shiara and brutalize the Iraqi people if they succeed in driving the coalition out of Iraq.
Richard Melville, Bronx, NY, USA

I feel incandescent with rage at the actions of these fundamentalist Islamist thugs. Whatever sins the US and the coalition have perpetrated - and they are many and horrible, nothing justifies this vicious barbaric treatment of other humans. To my erstwhile allies of the left, some of whom still view these charmers as imperfect freedom fighters, I say would you like them to succeed in establishing a vicious misogynist religious tyranny to replace the loathsome Saddam.
Richard Honey, Leeds, UK

Yeah, take away the media coverage... and bring in the communism. Keep the democracy for speeches, just to get the votes
Gita, India

This is a war without any conventions. Anything is fair game. Whoever goes to Iraq must be prepared for all consequences or else stay at home.
Eddy, Aleppo, Syria

What's going on in Iraq is savagery and should be stopped. US has to take a firm step toward Islamists' acts in Iraq, and the Islamists have to stop killing Americans and other people in Iraq.
Mohsen, Iran

It negotiated with the IRA and is now negotiating with the Iraqi terrorists Mark, Tokyo, Japan

The UK government says it will never negotiate with terrorists, yet the UK government simply lies. It negotiated with the IRA and is now negotiating with the Iraqi terrorists. I am all for all for saving innocent lives, yet I hope other countries understand the UK government policy, which is purely to look after their own interests when it suits them. I wonder how the US relatives of the 2 murdered hostages will now feel.
Mark, Tokyo, Japan

Having been around to view the disastrous ending of the war in Vietnam how can anyone with an IQ over 90 view Iraq as anything but the new Vietnam of the Middle East?
Galvin, USA

No, kidnappings and beheadings will not stop as long as we continue to negotiate with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Fran Russo, Idaho Springs, USA

I think the kidnappers are help bent on taking westerns hostages unless the US and its allies pull out of Iraq, and that is the only solution ever needed.
Weldu Ghebreyesus, Asmara, Eritrea

I think motives behind the kidnappings and executions are more to deter foreigners from going to Iraq Margaret Farrell, Rome

Kidnappers know that most governments will not give in to their demands however horrific the punishment. I think their motives behind the kidnappings and executions are more to deter foreigners from going to Iraq and make those already there want to leave. This renders the reconstruction work and economic control by American and British contractors very difficult. They also know that people around the world were against the war and they are hoping they will continue to put pressure on governments.
Margaret Farrell, Rome, Italy

Sadly, violence breeds more violence. Who started first??!!
Esra Karatash Alpay, Istanbul, Turkey

Injury or death could happen to a soldier during a war. Injury or death is the price that one pays at the time of enlisting to be a soldier. When someone travels to a war-ravaged nation, one could be injured, killed or kidnapped. So, to avoid injury, death or kidnapping, one has to avoid travelling to such places. Don't travel for any reason.
Raj, India

Think about this though... If they are trying to win by using hostages then they must be desperate and know they are on the brink of complete defeat. People have to be more careful and stay near soldiers over there and then these people will have no alternative than to fight and they'll lose.
AJ, Delmont PA

Is it just me, or is Iraq looking more and more like Lebanon did 20 years ago?
Blair Davis, Chicago, IL

I don't understand why the Internet web site is allowed to host and show these sad despicable acts.
Bernie, UK

I personally believe that many kidnappers are the mix of fighters and criminals; who have been active in immoral activities since the Saddam's regime. We can see, besides the political demand, some of them have even asked for ransom. Therefore, I believe that it is hard to stop this crime as long as those criminals are still within the group.

As for the fighters, when the incidents involved the Sunni Muslims, the Sunni clerics should have taken more pro active measures to issue verdict of unlawfulness (Haram) on hostage killing. The Shia clerics have declared unlawful to kill hostage, and we can see no/least involvement of Shia in such immoral activities.
Ahmad Yusaidi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

If Westerner workers want to stick their necks by accepting presumably well-paid work in Iraq, that is their choice Hazel Bargiel, France

America went into Iraq for two distinct but related reasons:

to bring democracy, peace and stability to the country in the hope that the Pax Americana would spread to other Middle Eastern states, in particular Saudi Arabia, and that the ensuing regimes would be grateful and keep the oil flowing;

to eliminate the need for terrorism by introducing democracy to the region and at in the meantime concentrating the war on terrorism in the Middle East against the American armed forces, well away from the United States and the American people.

If Westerner workers want to stick their necks by accepting presumably well-paid work in Iraq, that is their choice. (I have been an expat worker myself in Algeria, Turkey, Senegal and Egypt and know how hard it is to kick the habit.) Spare a thought for the less well-paid workers from the Far East, whose only motivation is to feed their families, and the Iraqis who have no choice in the matter and are paying a much higher price than the odd westerner adventurer, but get scant mention in the media.

P.S. When is the BBC going concentrate on the less sensational side of the situation in Iraq and report on if life has improved since the American-British invasion? Is the water running? Has the electricity been reconnected? Are there goods in the shops? Have the people enough to eat? Have the schools re-opened? What is the situation with the Kurds in the north?
Hazel Bargiel, France

In the Iraqi campaign the "enemy's" losses are at least 800 times more than "ours". That, surely, should make Tony Blair the best ever war leader.
Historian, Orpington, UK

More and more attacks killing women and children, senseless killings and we expect the militants to free Ken Bigley? Julian Gatt, Sliema Malta

What chance has Ken Bigley got when the Americans launch massive raids on Falluja whilst his life hangs in the balance? These kind of attacks only anger Muslim militants, what for? More and more attacks killing women and children, senseless killings and we expect the militants to free Ken Bigley? Time the politicians who sit on their behinds and don't get their hands dirty woke up and realised their citizens live in a real world, a world full of butchers and murderers.
Julian Gatt, Sliema Malta

I think this kidnapping is against Islam and that the UK should release the Iraqi women. I hope everything will be alright. I would also like to say: how would Iraq feel if their families were being held hostage & threatened to be killed? I even think this is against Allah.....
a Muslim, London & England

I was against the war in Iraq (Blair lied to us, as the BBC to its credit has pointed out); however, if British civilians are at risk, then we have the right to respond with as much force as it takes.
Herbert, Leeds

I'm a Muslim and I know that Allah (God) said in one of Quran verses:(killing of one innocent person is like killing all of the existing people in the whole world), but not invaders. Muslims do never hate civilians who don't back occupation, and they (Muslims) love the merits of the western civilisation. But the brutal mass killings of innocents in Iraq lead to this disastrous situation, one that humans have never seen or heard about. What are we going towards?! Killing of all humans and destroy the most civilised life that man has been reaching?!
Abuzar Ibrahim, Khartoum/Sudan

These appalling kidnappings and cruel murders cannot be justified by any reason whatsoever. Let everyone show his compassion to Mr. Bigley and his family. Great respect to the UK Muslim representatives for their gesture. However, I would also like to express my support for Jack Straw. Negotiating with these evil terrorists will only make every decent citizen of the world even more vulnerable for their evil actions.
J. Martijn, Apeldoorn, Holland

Just pick the side you want to win--the side you would rather live under--and hope that there methods of killing are more effective to achieve the desired result Granville, Ireland

The appropriate response for governments in the face of kidnappings and beheadings is to kill more people. This is a war and in war people die. The mode of death matters little except for the effect it has on observers. I applaud the Islamists for terrorizing the West in this way and I applaud the coalition for responding by dropping more bombs. What disturbs me are those one the sidelines wringing their hands about who's to blame, who the real terrorists are, etc. Just pick the side you want to win--the side you would rather live under--and hope that there methods of killing are more effective to achieve the desired result.
Granville, Ireland

I believe that with a tiny implant (transmitter) the people that are in danger of kidnapping can be easily located,(and the kidnappers).
Eduardo, Tucson AZ , USA

How much more transparent can Bush get. There is always hope so long as Ken Bigley is alive. BMC flies out to negotiate so Bush launches a bombing campaign - he wants these terrorists to react to his campaign with another beheading, just in case the Muslims manage to secure his release. Muslims shown in good light, he does not want...
Shano, UK

A Call for a Conference at Ur for Peace. Here's a proposal for the religious leaders of the world...Set up a large white tent near the site of the ancient city of Ur...Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindu, Buddhist...gather, talk, listen learn, and form a new organization...The United Religions (UR). The modern conflicts are religious and economic in nature...the politicians are no longer valid.
Tom Ryan in Kent, Broadstairs, England

It is really horrible that human beings can do something like that to other people. I am compassionate to Mr Bigley and his family
Polish soldier who served in Iraq, Poland

I hope that this 'humanitarian gesture' from the Muslim Council is not merely a political stunt Julian , London

In view of the amount of time that has passed since Ken Bigley's capture i hope that this 'humanitarian gesture' from the Muslim Council is not merely a political stunt and paves the way for many many more Muslim leaders in this country to start to show they do actually care because at the moment i have to say the jury is still very much out on this one despite the BBC devoting so much time in highlighting this mission in their news, quite obviously desperate to show Muslims in a more positive light.

I hope and pray that all this media attention will lead to a world wide uprising against terrorism resulting in less people joining them and more people hunting them down PK, Bristol UK

I doubt whether you will publish this as it's not really politically correct although of course undeniably true and at the end of the day it is the truth that matters is it not ?
Julian , London

Well what a mess this has turned out to be. We have workers going in to Iraq seemingly unprepared for what lies ahead. We have not resolved the situation of removing Saddam and installing a democratically lead government. We have not stopped the killing of innocent people, and we won't go in to the question of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Some people have suggested "tagging" either the workers so we can find them when kidnapped, or the released prisoners so we can recapture them. Can you just imagine what the terrorists would do, they would just cut off the body part the tag was in. It would need to be so deep inside the body that taking it out would kill the person. I think the only way to stop this is through education of the young to stop them falling in to the terrorists recruiting hands, and a concerted effort to remove the terrorists from the country by what ever means. I hope that in the background there is a large undercover force working to find Ken Bigley and Zarqawi, and I hope that the only reason we don't know about it is because it is happening and it needs to be keep quiet. I hope we will get the news saying "Today an undercover task-force entered Falluja and have found Ken Bigley alive and well". I to have seen the horrific internet recordings of the beheading and shooting of kidnapped workers. I hope and pray that all this media attention will lead to a world wide uprising against terrorism resulting in less people joining them and more people hunting them down. To the family of Mr Bigley, my thoughts are with you. Ken is about the same age as my Farther and also he looks very much like him. I can't begin to think how I would feel in your shoes. To the undercover force looking (hopefully) for Ken, find him, bring him home and put a bullet in-between Zarqawi's eyes for me.
PK, Bristol UK

The end result of this will inevitably be more mistrust of the mainstream Muslims and more votes going to the BNP! Dave, London

Yes we could give in to the kidnappers demands and withdraw all troops from all Muslim countries, solve the Israel/Palestine 'problem' in fact everything they are asking for! Does anyone actually believe for one minute that it would stop the terrorists, most of them want the destruction of the west and a worldwide Muslim culture this means no Christianity or any other faith apart from there own. The end result of this will inevitably be more mistrust of the mainstream Muslims and more votes going to the BNP!
Dave, London

As a Muslim, my family and i condemn the kidnapping of Mr. Bigley. My heart goes to his family and friends. UK Muslims are doing really well in the condemnation of so- called groups carrying action in the name of Islam. There is no beheading in Islam! The Americans and its allies should pull out of Iraq as their mission is over and illegal. My message to the American and its allies, "Save the life of many the Iraqis and many more who are building the new Iraq" Save Mr. Bigley life!
Salina TP, West Midlands, UK

Calling the terrorist websites "Islamic websites" is the worst use of the adjective. Terrorists have no religion and they may quote anything to promote themselves Muhammad Zubair Malik, Lahore, Pakistan

I fully understand the logic of not negotiating with terrorists. But what I do not understand is the logic of promoting them so much on media. Giving them so much importance gives them ever more reason to carry out more such attacks. If they are ignored such attacks will stop or they will in their desperation, trying to get more attention will put themselves at more risk. I was shocked to see President Bush addressing Zarqawi Now I am bound to ask the question: is it not a psychological operation designed to take our attention off from 100 Iraqis dying a day to a televised American death a week. Seriously, those 700 people are not dying a pleasant death. And finally calling the terrorist websites "Islamic websites" is the worst use of the adjective. Terrorists have no religion and they may quote anything to promote themselves but the wise men and women of media should recognize that. This is highly unjustified to Muslims. Those websites are simply "terrorist websites".
Muhammad Zubair Malik, Lahore, Pakistan

It's about time the sensible Muslims came out and were not only heard but seen to be actively civilised. The lack of condemnation from the Muslim Council of Britain of these atrocities carried out by people claiming to do so on their behalf has given the wrong message. The decent clerics must stand up and be counted. Their apparent inability to distance themselves from the murderous actions of their fellow Muslims is reminiscent of the RC Church in Ireland's failure to condemn the IRA in the late seventies. Their silence only served to feed the believe that they were at the very least understanding of, if not actually supportive. This helped fuel anti Irish anti Catholic feeling here, the remnants of which remain evident in many areas throughout the UK today. The time has come for all good Muslims to let their voice be heard, loud and clear.
Dean, Glasgow

As an American who loves the Arab people... the deaths of these people makes my job of defending them all the more difficult Anna V. Carroll, New York USA

As an American who loves the Arab people, and who has defended the Palestinian cause since 1970 when I visited Jordan, the hostage taking and subsequent deaths of these people makes my job of defending them all the more difficult. Nothing is being accomplished by this except to further inflame the hatred of Muslims and Arabs in the US. It is heartbreaking on all sides.
Anna V. Carroll, New York USA

The Bigley kidnapping is an incident that looks very different from either side - to the West kidnapping and beheading is abhorrent and merely confirms the anti-Islamic feelings of the majority. To the Arab world, they see nothing wrong with the death of one man when viewed in the context of the deaths of so many Arabs in Iraq, Israel/Palestine. The "something must be done", knee-jerk, Western reaction will do nothing to resolve this unless we understand the issues in context.
P Williams, Lincoln, UK

All the luck to those Muslims who risk their lives to save Ken.
Frank Dubbe, Ostend Belgium

I heard myself wondering aloud, what would happen if the relatives of Messrs Bush and Blair were the ones kidnapped? You guessed it, there would be feverish negotiations right now.
Clive, USA

I sincerely hope that religious bigots of all kinds take notice of the multi-faith gathering in Liverpool on Friday night. Good souls of all faiths came together to pray for what is right. I can't help but think that this is a bigger step forward against 'terror' than any bomb or missile. There are flashes of hope... sometimes.
Hamish McRaspberry, Stockport, UK.

We should be more concerned for the two Italian females as they put their lives on the line to help people in need, not to gain profit Fred Cummins, London

I am sympathetic to the hostages, however it must be remembered that most of these people travelled to Iraq for money, not to help the Iraqi people. They knew the dangers but were tempted by the ridiculous amount of pay. We should be more concerned for the two Italian females as they put their lives on the line to help people in need, not to gain profit.
Fred Cummins, London

Ken is not a political figure. Being a civil engineer he was just earning money for his dependants. Killing innocent people whoever he is of whatever faith is never supported in Islam. We pray for Ken's life .May Allah give sense to his captors.
Sikander Hussein, Al-Ain,UAE

Enough is enough! I am a desperate American with a sister in the us military stationed in Iraq. I am pleading to all the religions of the world. unite! Come together. Stop this horrible war, stop the ongoing horrible massacres of innocents. Every holy scripture speaks of the unity and love with our brothers and sisters. What are we doing? Who are we allowing to decide for us? Who is listening to our wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, etc. Everyone of these soldiers and civilians is loved and missed by someone. Every time a human being dies entire generations disappear. When one dies many die along with him/her. Entire futures will have being destroyed and vanished. I believe in seeing my niece grow up with her mommy on the side to be there during the most memorable days of her life. I believe in seeing and sharing moments of joy and moments of pain with my baby sister for years to come. There are millions of human beings, children of all our gods sharing the exact feeling but who is listening?
Maria,

These people hide behind Islam and call themselves terrorists. They say they "execute" their hostages. Let's get it straight - they are just psychopathic murderers. If they didn't have "a cause" they would still kill - that is what they enjoy
Robert, UK

At least no more British subjects will be murdered if the British People sends Tony Blair home and stops the British involvement in the Bush-Iraq-Adventures. There's no other way to escape from this misery I'm afraid.
Hans Withagen, Amersfoort, Holland

Violence begets violence.
Louise Fleming, New York USA

Much has been written saying that ordinary Muslims and Iraqis are against the kidnappings and terrorists (Iraqi or otherwise) who are perpetrating these acts. What we seem to be missing however is direct action by these parties against the terrorists to limit their impact - many ordinary Iraqis are being kidnapped every day. Until this sort of response is seen, it is no surprise that Iraqis and Muslims are seen as somehow complicit in these outrages.
Anonymous, Denmark

Wake up! These people want to destroy the whole western world Lisa Davis, Peterborough England

It distresses and angers me to see so many "liberals" (as always mainly British) condoning the unimaginable evil of these people. Wake up! These people want to destroy the whole western world. Most Iraqis wanted the removal of Saddam Hussein and the people saying the Americans should get out are the exact same hypocrites who would be blaming the Americans and British for the even worse chaos that would ensue if they did!
Lisa Davis, Peterborough England

I think the kidnappings are going to go on and on. I feel it's time to pull all our people out. That poor man does not to deserve to die, there comes a time when what matters should be our own, we've done our best. I mean no offence and wish the Iraqi people well, but seeing Mr Bigley's family suffering is too much to bear. Pull out Bush/Blair, your are making things worse and risking more kidnappings.
Tracey, United Kingdom

The logical course of action is for those who remain convinced of the righteousness of the Iraq invasion, to swap places with the hostages John Harpur, Trim, Ireland

The logical course of action is for those who remain convinced of the righteousness of the Iraq invasion, to swap places with the hostages. Mr Blair and Mr Bush will comply surely.
John Harpur, Trim, Ireland

Foreign businesses are in Iraq for one thing: money. Ken Bigley, and folk like him, put themselves in danger in the pursuit of lucrative work. My sympathies go to the Iraqi people who are caught up in this sorry mess, but who have nowhere else to go.
Barb Garner, Golden Cross, E. Sussex

I am just one of many people, who are praying for the release of Kenneth Bigley. I also come from his home town Liverpool and share in the distress that his family, friends and the rest of the community are feeling at his tragic plight. We all realise that Mr. Bigley is just one man and that thousands of Iraqi men, women and children have been killed in this dreadful war. But even one life is precious and the greatest thing that God or Allah gives to a human being. I am also one of thousands of English people who have always disagreed with the war on Iraq. I have always believed that the war was both illegal in international terms and a criminal act against the Iraqi people. For this I believe that the British Prime Minister Tony Blair should be impeached and expelled from office. I believe (as do thousands of British people) that he lied about the reasons for going to war; and that he is unfit to be prime minister. I just pray that the Iraqi people realize that so many British people feel this way and that Mr. Bigley's captors will find the compassion in their hearts to release him. Brenda Pritchard.
Brenda Pritchard, Liverpool. England

I'm a British Muslim with psychological insight into all sides of these arguments. But you don't need me to tell you that the Reuters pictures of woman and child pulled out of rubble ought to be put next to the picture of Ken, showing why people do back what you do to them - act cruelly and illegally.
,

The government has no choice but to refuse to negotiate on this issue and the kidnappers must have known full well. The outcome, therefore, will depend on the kidnappers' aims. If these are to drive a wedge between the US and UK and bring about a UK withdrawal from Iraq, then the sensible course of action would be to release Ken Bigley with a warning that any future Briton seized by them would face summary execution. In the event of this warning being ignored and Britons being subsequently murdered, I do not believe that even Blair would be able to survive the country's anger. My fear is, however, that the kidnappers have wider ambitions, and that by delaying and then butchering Ken Bigley they are intending to provoke an anti-Muslim backlash in this country. Dark days ahead whatever the outcome.
Mark Cartledge, United Kingdom

How can anyone negotiate with a person who kills a truck driver just because he was working in an other country then he was born to? Or who abducts a peace worker? Yes, Iraq is being occupied. But who knows if the kidnappings will stop even after the coalition forces are gone. These armed and masked men are brutal cowards who are only looking for an excuse to prove themselves their "manliness" It must be very dangerous to overpower an unarmed person with a gang... However, at the end, killing a bound, blindfolded civilian has nothing to do with a fight for freedom.
Libby, Czech Republic

There comes a point when their refusal to leave becomes blatant disregard for their lives Alan, Reading

I have deep sympathy for the horror Ken's family is facing and the fear and terror Ken must be going through. I will pray for them all that a happy ending awaits. One point I want to make is that Ken voluntarily went to Iraq and has stayed there while the situation has deteriorated and murder after murder and kidnapping after kidnapping have taken place. Why did he not leave and how many others are still there who we will see in the coming weeks and months on the Internet and TV after being kidnapped. There comes a point when their refusal to leave becomes blatant disregard for their lives and the impact on their families. Likewise the government has a clear duty to say that UK non military nationals should leave Iraq, period. However this would be a dangerous political message to send and would suggest the position is escalating out of control....so is the government playing politics while Iraq burns and UK citizens are kidnapped and die.
Alan, Reading