The Feb 26 deadline set by Jill’s kidnappers passed by yesterday with nary a word about Jill. But I believe, at this stage, no news is good news. This morning, some reports from notable sources emerged indicating that Jill is still alive. These statements came from an Iraqi official and US Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad, with the Iraqi official claiming to know the kidnapper’s name and address:

A top Iraqi official tells ABC News that he believes Jill Carroll is alive and that he believes she will be released, even though the latest deadline for the kidnapped journalist has passed with no news of her fate. Iraqi Interior Minister Bayan Jabur al Zubaidi said he knew who had abducted the 28-year-old freelance journalist. "We know his name and address, and we are following up on him as well as the Americans," Zubaidi said. "I think she is still alive." The minister said the problem was that authorities don’t know where Carroll is being held, and that the original kidnappers may have sold her to a more radical group.

U.S ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad told ABC News that he also believed Carroll was alive. "We do believe that she is in fact alive," Khalilzad said on "Good Morning America." "I have discussed the issue with the interior minister. As I said, we will work as hard as we can to get her released. She clearly is in a dangerous situation, but we’re working hard with the Iraqis and others to get her released. That’s what we’re working for."

Source: [ABC News]

From my part, I’m still hopeful. For those reading this, please keep praying!