Thursday, June 07, 2007
British ambassador to Iraq appeals for release of kidnapped Brits
Security
(BBC) - The British ambassador to Iraq has appealed for the release of five kidnapped Britons who were seized by armed militia. The five men were seized on May 29 from Baghdad's Finance Ministry by gunmen believed to be the Mehdi Army militia. British Ambassador Dominic Asquith has now issued a statement in English and Arabic, appealing for information.
He said he was "greatly concerned" about the men, whose families were "deeply worried". One of the five has been named as 28-year-old Alec MacLachlan, from Llanelli in Wales. The search for Mr MacLachlan and his four companions is continuing in Sadr City, a suburb of the Iraqi capital.
The area is a stronghold for the Mehdi Army. It is being searched by both US and Iraqi troops. Mr Asquith said: "I am greatly concerned about these five men. "Their families are deeply worried not to have news of them. "I ask those holding them to release them so they may return to their families.
"We have people here in Iraq who are ready to listen to any person about this incident, or any person who may be holding these men and who may wish to communicate." The men - a computer expert and four bodyguards - were taken from the building by kidnappers wearing police uniforms who staged the capture without firing a shot, according to senior Iraqi officials.
He said he was "greatly concerned" about the men, whose families were "deeply worried". One of the five has been named as 28-year-old Alec MacLachlan, from Llanelli in Wales. The search for Mr MacLachlan and his four companions is continuing in Sadr City, a suburb of the Iraqi capital.
The area is a stronghold for the Mehdi Army. It is being searched by both US and Iraqi troops. Mr Asquith said: "I am greatly concerned about these five men. "Their families are deeply worried not to have news of them. "I ask those holding them to release them so they may return to their families.
"We have people here in Iraq who are ready to listen to any person about this incident, or any person who may be holding these men and who may wish to communicate." The men - a computer expert and four bodyguards - were taken from the building by kidnappers wearing police uniforms who staged the capture without firing a shot, according to senior Iraqi officials.
Labels: Alec MacLachlan, British hostages, Dominic Asquith, Ministry of Finance, Sadr City
