Obama will not change policy against paying ransom for hostages
President Barack Obama, who has ordered a comprehensive review of US policy governing efforts to free American hostages, still opposes the payment of ransoms, the White House said on Tuesday.
Obama ordered the review last summer in light of the increasing number of US citizens taken hostage by the Islamic State and other militant groups. In recent months Islamic State militants have beheaded three Americans.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters that Obama felt a review was warranted by the increased number of kidnappings of Americans.
