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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| 'Two foreigners released' in Iraq | 'Two foreigners released' in Iraq |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Two of five foreigners kidnapped from a convoy of civilians in south Iraq have been freed, Iraqi officials say. | Two of five foreigners kidnapped from a convoy of civilians in south Iraq have been freed, Iraqi officials say. |
| An Austrian and four US security contractors were seized in the attack, which reportedly took place near Basra en route to Nasiriya on Thursday. | An Austrian and four US security contractors were seized in the attack, which reportedly took place near Basra en route to Nasiriya on Thursday. |
| Iraqi officials say that one of the hostages has been killed, but details are not clear. | |
| US officials in Baghdad said they could not confirm new releases. Nine civilians also held were already freed. | US officials in Baghdad said they could not confirm new releases. Nine civilians also held were already freed. |
| Reports said British and US forces had been mounting raids in the area to find the hostages. | Reports said British and US forces had been mounting raids in the area to find the hostages. |
| The Basra provincial governor told the Associated Press: "Police were able to free two of the foreigners kidnapped and they are in good health". | The Basra provincial governor told the Associated Press: "Police were able to free two of the foreigners kidnapped and they are in good health". |
| One of the five was found dead, he and his office said. | |
| The nationalities of the two reportedly freed and one dead hostage were not immediately clear. | |
| 'Rescue raids' | 'Rescue raids' |
| Unconfirmed reports said the kidnapping took place at a bogus checkpoint. | Unconfirmed reports said the kidnapping took place at a bogus checkpoint. |
| A spokesman for Crescent Security Group, which operated the convoy, said the nine civilians who were freed included men from India, Pakistan and the Philippines. | A spokesman for Crescent Security Group, which operated the convoy, said the nine civilians who were freed included men from India, Pakistan and the Philippines. |
| Crescent works mainly in Iraq. Its website says it "conducts convoy escort duties for an ever-growing number of coalition militaries, embassies, government contractors". | Crescent works mainly in Iraq. Its website says it "conducts convoy escort duties for an ever-growing number of coalition militaries, embassies, government contractors". |
| The family of an American man, Paul Reuben, 39, confirmed to US media it had been informed that he was among those captured. | The family of an American man, Paul Reuben, 39, confirmed to US media it had been informed that he was among those captured. |
| His sister-in-law, Jennifer Reuben, said he had called last week to say he planned to come home because of increasing violence. | His sister-in-law, Jennifer Reuben, said he had called last week to say he planned to come home because of increasing violence. |
| Nasiriya is the capital of Dhi Qar province, which was returned to Iraqi control in September. | Nasiriya is the capital of Dhi Qar province, which was returned to Iraqi control in September. |
| Hijackings and abductions are frequent in southern Iraq but those kidnapped are generally freed, unlike in the Sunni strongholds further north. | Hijackings and abductions are frequent in southern Iraq but those kidnapped are generally freed, unlike in the Sunni strongholds further north. |
| Baghdad abductions | Baghdad abductions |
| Separately, there is still confusion over the kidnapping of scores of education ministry workers in Baghdad on Tuesday. | Separately, there is still confusion over the kidnapping of scores of education ministry workers in Baghdad on Tuesday. |
| Sunni and Shia leaders cannot agree whether all the hostages have now been freed. | Sunni and Shia leaders cannot agree whether all the hostages have now been freed. |
| The Sunni higher education minister said more than half the 150 victims were still being held. | The Sunni higher education minister said more than half the 150 victims were still being held. |
| But interior ministry spokesman Brig Gen Abdul-Karim Khalaf said all the ministry employees were free, although some others taken from the building were still being held. | But interior ministry spokesman Brig Gen Abdul-Karim Khalaf said all the ministry employees were free, although some others taken from the building were still being held. |