It was first made in the early 2000's for SWAT teams and special forces in situations usually involving terrorists and hostages.

Mr. Cicippio's release is part of a United Nations effort led by Mr. Picco to complete a complex exchange involving Western hostages, Arab prisoners under Israeli control and missing Israeli servicemen in Lebanon.

This is the first time that the Lebanese authorities have decided to intervene officially in a case involving foreign hostages.

The thinking was that a small, secret, specially trained cadre of soldiers would be able to respond more effectively to terrorist threats, particularly those involving hostages.

It was designed in the early 2000s for SWAT teams and special forces in hostile situations usually involving terrorists and hostages.

This version was commissioned from the novelist Anthony Burgess, who not only replaced the archaic expressions and ersatz Shakespeare of Planché's original, but also updated the story to involve hijackers and hostages in a futuristic Middle East.

Asked at the airport if his weeklong mission involved only American hostages, he answered, "I am concerned with all hostages."

One of the complications facing police in a siege involving hostages is the Stockholm syndrome where sometimes hostages can develop a sympathetic rapport with their captors.

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), "D" Platoon personnel, respond to emergency situations involving barricaded suspects or hostages.