By EDD K. USMAN

Dablo described her unexpected release as a dream as negotiators tried to win the release of the Western hostages in a deal financed by Libya.

"This is the beginning," Aventajado said, of the Filipina's release from nearly four months of captivity. He reiterated his promise that the crisis can end this week.

The long-drawn hostage crisis that has attracted so much international attention due to the Abu Sayyaf's Western and Asian captives was anticipated to end today, Aug. 16, the 115th day.

"If we can complete work today, we expect the release (of the hostages) tomorrow (Thursday)," Aventajado said in Jolo on Wednesday before Dablo's freedom.

Aventajado and Libyan negotiator Rajab Azzarouq, former envoy to Manila, flew to the southern island yesterday morning to iron out kinks in the much-awaited release of the hostages.

Libya sent a long-range flyer aircraft, Russian-made Ilyushin 62, to Manila in anticipation of the release to take the hostages to Tripoli where they will be presented by Libyan leader Moammar Qaddafi to their government's representatives.

The crew and passengers of the plane, believed to be Libyan journalists, are staying in a Makati hotel and are ready to take off for Zamboanga City to fetch the hostages once set free.

Of the original 21 Sipadan island dive resort captives kidnapped on April 23 by the Abu Sayyaf , only 13 have remained in the Abu Sayyaf's grip with the release of Dablo. They are three Malaysians, two French, two Germans, two Finns, two South Africans, a Filipino, and a Lebanese woman who, during her captivity, was granted French citizenship.

Nine of the 13 - the French, German, Finnish, South African, and Franco-Lebanese - were supposed to walk out of the kidnapper's jungle lair on Wednesday, but the Abu Sayyaf were frightened by an unexpected movement of soldiers in the vicinity, the chief negotiator said.

He assured the gunmen that the troop movement was only related to a change of military men in the area.

Galib Andang, popularly known as "Commander Robot," and other Abu Sayyaf leaders were fearful of a military strike once the hostages are set free.

Aventajado has never ruled out a military solution to the hostage crisis, even saying that if the Moro extremists try to abduct more people during the negotiations, he might not be able to stop a military operation.

Wilde Almeda and 11 of his fellow evangelists plus three more Filipino construction workers are also being held by the Abu Sayyaf. Aventajado said he is not working for the evangelists' freedom because they walked willingly into the bandits' camp and refused to be called hostages.

Respective governments of the hostages have repeatedly urged and applied pressure on the Philippine government not to resort to a military strike that could endanger their lives.

The negotiators, and several emissaries who flew with Aventajado to Jolo, want a universal release of the captives, including the three Malaysians and a Filipino (all Sipadan resort workers) and the three French journalists who were held at gun point by another Abu Sayyaf faction on July 9 while covering the hostage saga.

Aventajado said corresponding negotiations are also being held for them.

Six Malaysians and a German mother were released in May and July, netting the kidnappers a cool $4.5 million in ransom payment, according to Philippine military chief Gen. Angelo Reyes.

The government subscribes to a no-ransom policy, but has said it cannot prevent other countries from paying for their nationals.

Libya is financing the hostage deal, but Azzarouq has repeatedly denied the existence of the so-called $25 million ransom money. One of his aides reportedly remarked "That's garbage!" when asked about it.

A Manila Bulletin source from the diplomatic corps said there is a ransom money alright, but it was provided by the Europeans and smaller than the $25 million.

Gaddafy

PARIS, France (DPA) - Lybian leader Moamer Gaddafy has negotiated with the French government "for political compensation" for his mediation in the Philippine hostage crisis, the weekly Le Canard Enchaine reported in its issue yesterday.

According to the paper, which does not reveal its sources, "everything indicates that France has asked the Libyans to pay a ransom (for the hostages) in its place."

In exchange, the paper adds, Paris "has committed itself to help Libya to reinsert itself into the diplomatic game."

According to the German daily Die Welt, the Islamist rebels who have been holding around 20 hostages since April 23 received $25 million in ransom from a foundation run by Gaddafi's son.

In addition, the former Lybian ambassador to the Philippines has become the main negotiator with the Philippine rebels.

A spokesman for the French foreign ministry refused to comment on the paper's allegations.

Le Canard Enchaine further writes that a high foreign ministry official traveled to the Lybian capital Tripoli to negotiate with Gaddafy.

During these consultations, the French official allegedly promised the Lybian strongman a "powerful political gesture" in exchange for his mediation.

Gaddafy, the paper reports, wanted to receive an official invitation to a Euro-Mediterranean summit to be held in Marseilles in November.

France currently holds the European Union presidency.

Gadaffy also wanted France to use its influence with the United Nations to hasten the removal of economic sanctions against Tripoli.

Lybian intervention in the hostage crisis has led to an apparent breakthrough, with the French foreign ministry announcing on Tuesday that the negotiations over the hostages' release had reached an important point.

A Lybian airplane arrived in Manila on Monday evening and was expected to fly to the island of Jolo, where the hostages are being held.