The agreement, aimed at ending 14 years of civil strife, has been opposed by pro-Iranian Shiite groups.

A pro-Iranian group believed to be holding three American hostages in Beirut said today that it would release one of them within 48 hours.

Apparently appealing to pro-Iranian groups holding the captives, he said, "Those who hold hostages, don't harm them."

A pro-Iranian group threatened to harm its American hostages if the French did not pull back.

But the authorities said they could not say with certainty that the pro-Iranian group was responsible.

Nine Americans are believed to be held hostage by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon.

The hope just was that "they could perhaps influence" the pro-Iranian groups that hold the hostages in Lebanon.

A pro-Iranian Shiite fundamentalist group has claimed responsibility for his abduction.

A short while later, two French hostages were released from Beirut by pro-Iranian groups holding them.

Paris took the steps after threats from Iran and pro-Iranian groups.