US President Barack Obama has ordered the government not to threaten the families of American hostages held abroad with criminal prosecution if they want to pay ransom to release their loved ones.

“It is United States policy to deny hostage-takers the benefits of ransom, prisoner releases, policy changes, or other acts of concession," said the president. "However, this policy does not preclude engaging in communications with hostage-takers."

"The United States Department of Justice does not intend to add to families' pain in such cases by suggesting that they could face criminal prosecution,” Obama said.

He also admitted that his administration had sometimes not done enough for the relatives of hostages held abroad.

"There have been times where our government, regardless of good intentions, has let them down. I promised them that we can do better," the president made the announcement shortly after hosting families of several US citizens who have been taken hostage abroad.

Officials will now be allowed to talk to the hostage takers and secure the hostages release although Washington will maintain its policy of making "no concessions" to captors.

House Speaker John Boehner warned about the consequences of the erosion of the US's policy of not paying ransoms.

"I've not seen the report nor have I seen an analysis of it, but we have had a policy in the United States for over 200 years of not paying ransom and not negotiating with terrorists and the concern that I have is that by lifting that long held principle you could be endangering more Americans here and overseas," Boehner said.

SB/AGB