ROME, April 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Italian government Tuesday vowed to do everything possible to gain the release of four nationals held hostage in Iraq but appeared to reject the idea of negotiating with their captors.

    "The government will do everything in its power to obtain the release of the four Italian citizens held in Iraq as soon as possible," said Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi in a statement released by his office in Rome.

    The Italian foreign ministry was in constant contact with its diplomats in Iraq and with other countries facing similar situations, the statement added.

    Asked by journalists whether Italian diplomats would try to enter into dialogue with the militia group holding the Italians, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini stressed "negotiations with guerrillas and terrorists is contrary to the logic that Italy and other countries are using."

    Frattini said that Italian officials had already requested the release of the hostages and that a wide range of "demands" made bythe captors were being looked at.

    Frattini is expected to report to parliament Wednesday on the situation in Iraq and the government's action on behalf of the hostages. Enditem