They tried to win the release of the American hostages but were unsuccessful.

It was not known who would be chosen from among the five remaining American hostages.

Administration officials hope and expect that more American hostages may be released in the near future.

That he also achieved, although some American hostages were apparently taken.

"Both countries indicated that there would be movement on American hostages."

"We don't want to see it linked in any way to American hostages."

Three days in a row this week, an American hostage was set free.

It was arguably the worst place on earth to be an American hostage.

He was the second American hostage to be freed in nine days.

The final point was the release of the American hostages in return.