Pro-Iranian kidnappers released a British hostage here today, the fourth Western captive to be released in Lebanon in the last six weeks.

The United States has sought Syria's help in securing the freedom of Western captives.

After days of expectation, kidnappers in Lebanon said on Thursday that Israel would have to free 20 more Arabs before they released more Western captives.

His captors, who identified themselves as the Organization for Defending Prisoners' and Hostages' Rights, threatened to kill him if any more Western captives were released.

Mr. Picco is going to Bonn to discuss the situation amid reports that a deal has been struck for the freedom of all Western captives.

Teheran radio, which is state-run, said the remaining three Western captives will be freed soon.

The Iranian press agency initiated the speculation with a report from Beirut on Saturday that a Western captive, probably a European, would be freed soon.

Mr. Picco was dispatched to Beirut last month when hopes were raised for a final resolution of the hostage problem with the release of two Western captives.

This is the moment to celebrate the release of two good men, and to press for the deliverance of all remaining Western captives.

The Western captives include six Americans, four Britons, two Germans and an Italian.