As Terry Anderson began his sixth year as a hostage today , his four - year - old daughter , Sarah , pleaded for the father she loves but who she has never met to be released . His family , friends and colleagues marked the somber occasion with commemorations and speeches in Washington , New York , and Cyprus . In Paris , former hostages chained themselves to a tree to protest Anderson 's captivity . President George Bush vowed to continue to work for the hostages ' release . Anderson is the longest - held American hostage in Lebanon . "I love you Daddy, come home, please come home. Eighteen Westerners , including eight Americans , are thought to be captives there .
As Terry Anderson began his sixth year as a hostage today , his four - year - old daughter , Sarah , pleaded for the father she loves but who she has never met to be released . His family , friends and colleagues marked the somber occasion with commemorations and speeches in Washington , New York , and Cyprus . In Paris , former hostages chained themselves to a tree to protest Anderson 's captivity . President George Bush vowed to continue to work for the hostages ' release . Anderson is the longest - held American hostage in Lebanon . Eighteen Westerners , including eight Americans , are thought to be captives there .