As adviser on international affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Terry Waite negotiated the release of several hostages in the Middle East before being taken captive himself in Beirut in 1987. He was released in 1991.

Read more from Terry:

Accord Issue 16: Engaging armed groups

Terry Waite is a contributor to our Accord publication series and not a staff member of Conciliation Resources. The views expressed in the publication are their own and do not reflect the position of Conciliation Resources. We cannot share contributors' contact details.