Drawn out Doug hostage saga update - what we hear in Aus.

Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly made contact with Doug's captors when no other official could, passed on medication (for Doug's heart condition) when no other official could and even met up with Doug "eye to eye", when no other official could.

And this is what Alexander Downer has doesn't have to say;

Alexander Downer, would not comment on Sheik al Hilaly's claim that he had seen Mr Wood, except to say the mufti was making a good contribution. more.

"Making a good contribution" ? Come off it Downer, this isn't a charity event at your local school fete, if we were going to make analogies like that, Sheik Hilaly has baked more scones then you ever could.

Meanwhile, Kevin Rudd tries to wheel mileage out of Sheik Hilaly's lines for Kevin Rudd's own political gain.

Labor's (Australian) foreign affairs spokesman, Kevin Rudd, called for public comment to be restrained.

Give it a break Rudd, it was funny when Sheik Hilaly told Downer to can it - it is not funny when you tell "the people" to can it.

Why Keven Rudd calls for restraint on public comment;

"because this is an ongoing challenge for the Government".

An "ongoing challenge for the Government"? What. Has. The Government done. Zilch. The only challenge for the government (plural) is saving face. What's left of it anyway (go back and hassle Vanstone about immigration, Rudd, if you want to appear effectual).