ATHENS, Dec. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Another three men were let go by the two gun-men who hijacked an inter-city public bus near Athens early Wednesday morning, thus bringing the total number of those released to 17, according to a press release issued by the Attica Police Department on Wednesday evening.

    According to the police statement, negotiations with the two hijackers are continuing. Seven people are still being held hostage.

    Earlier reports said that one of two Greek bus hijackers set a0600 GMT Thursday deadline for the delivery of 1 million euros in ransom and vowed not to release any more hostages until his demandwas met. Enditem