WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (AFP) - The United States called on Chechen rebels in southern Russia Thursday to release hostages held for two days but also urged Moscow to exercise restraint in dealing with the crisis. "We condemn the hostage-taking which has cost and endangered the lives of innocent citizens," said State Department spokeswoman Anne Johnson. "We deplore such acts of violence and call on the Chechens to release their captives immediately and return to negotiations to resolve this tragic conflict," Johnson said. The United States has urged "Russian authorities to exercise restraint ... and to continue to negotiate for the release of the hostages," she said. "We have also urged the Russians and all involved to use restraint in operations in Chechnya," she added. AFP /AA1234/120011 GMT JAN 96

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