GAZA, Aug. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian militant movements IslamicJihad (Holy War) and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) calledon Tuesday upon Iraqi militants to immediately release two French Journalists kidnapped a few days ago.

    Mohammed al Hindi, a senior Jihad leader, said in an interview with the official website of the kidnappers that their demands thatFrance end a ban on Muslim headscarves in schools "can't be treatedin such a way."

    Al Hindi added that "France has its own view concerning the American occupation of Iraq which is different from other European countries' views."

    He hoped that the French government would reconsider the Muslim headscarves issue in case the two Journalists are released.

    Meanwhile, Hamas also urged the kidnappers to release the Frenchjournalists, pointing out that their release would have a positive impact on the French attitudes towards the Palestinian and Iraqi cases.

    Hamas said in a statement that it is following up the case of the two French kidnapped journalists with a great concern.

    The group said that "such an action (kidnapping) would prevent the two journalists from doing their job to convey the truth", adding that the journalists can't be responsible for their country's attitudes, no matter "whatever these attitudes are."

    Hamas noted that France opposes the US-led war against Iraq, shows support for the Palestinian cause and rejects the pro-Israel policy of the United States. Enditem