Amman, Aug 31, SPA -- Jordan is using the contactsdeveloped in freeing its own kidnapped citizens to try tohelp win the release of two French journalists believedheld by militant Muslims in Iraq, the foreign minister saidTuesday. "We have the expertise in dealing with these issues,"Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher told reportersafter meeting Tuesday with his French counterpart MichelBarnier. Barnier was touring the region to press for therelease of Christian Chesnot of Radio France Internationaland Georges Malbrunot of the French daily Le Figaro. Agroup calling itself "The Islam Army in Iraq" claims tobe holding the two and has demanded France abolish its banon Muslim head scarves in public schools. "Jordan, as a result of its own problems resulting withits own citizens being abducted in Iraq, has developedcontacts with many people and organizations that havecontact with some of these groups," Muasher said. He saidJordan had already started to explore those contacts onFrance's behalf through its embassy in neighboring Iraq. At least nine Jordanian hostages have been freed in Iraqin the last two weeks. Barnier did not speak to reporters after his meeting withMuasher, but was expected to hold a press conference later. Chesnot and Malbrunot disappeared Aug. 19 on their wayfrom the Iraqi capital to the southern city of Najaf.--SPA1357 Local Time 1057 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/196738