The kidnappers received $5.5 million for their first 11 releases of Malaysian and German hostages, the Philippine military said.

Iraq has sought to divide the coalition, by releasing French and German hostages, for example, and some specialists question how long the alliance can hold.

August 27 - French, South African and German hostages are freed.

September 9 - Finnish, German and French hostages are freed.

One of the German hostages in Beirut was subsequently released.

A West German hostage was freed in Beirut.

Two German hostages were freed Tuesday after more than three months in captivity, German officials said.

In recent days, there have been conflicting reports suggesting that secret negotiations over the two German hostages may be under way.

A senior fundamentalist official said Iran has persuaded the relatives in Beirut to release the German hostages.

Separately, the Taliban claims that it has executed two German hostages.