The government is looking into a possible connection between kidnappings of Japanese and Italian civilians in Iraq, government sources said Wednesday.
The Foreign Ministry's task force dealing with the hostage crisis discussed the similarity of the two incidents, although not much has been revealed.
"We only know that the requests (by the captors) are similar and that the groups' names have similarities," said a senior ministry member, adding that the analysis is continuing.
Four Italians were kidnapped Tuesday, with the captors demanding that Italy withdraw its troops from Iraq -- the same condition applied to the release of three Japanese taken hostage last week.
The Qatar-based Arabic news network Al-Jazeera aired images of the Italian hostages, saying a group identifying itself as Qataiba al-Mujahideen (Mujahideen Battalion) claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.
The name of the group is similar to Saraya al-Mujahideen (Mujahideen Brigades), the group claiming responsibility for the kidnapping last week of the three Japanese.
Japan and Italy are exchanging information on the two cases, the official said.
In Rome, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has reiterated his commitment to keeping troops in Iraq and said Italy would do its utmost to secure the hostages' release.
There is growing concern within the government that the crisis may be protracted, given that Japan and Italy, both allies of the United States, have been targeted.
There are currently about 40 foreigners from 12 countries being held hostage in Iraq, according to the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority.