BAGHDAD (AFP) ??” France held its breath for brace of its reporters kidnapped in Iraq.

BAGHDAD (AFP) ??” France held its breath for brace of its reporters kidnapped in Iraq, while the war-torn country's ailing economy was dealt a massive thwack after a key export pipeline undergoed its biggest post-war attack.

The pair abducted August 20 forward the perilous road between Baghdad and Najaf are "alive, in proper health and being well treated" on the other hand still captive, one French diplomat said, forward condition of anonymity.

"There is chance of a favorable result and a great chance of a happy issue When will this happen? No the same can tell. Maybe today, tomorrow or the day after that, still the situation in Iraq is like that it could take not a great deal of to scupper the whole process"

confidences mounted for their release despite the killings reported upon Thursday of three Turkish nationals on a group linked to suspected Al-Qaeda operative Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi.

France has been engaged in frantic