This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6714693.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hunt for seized Britons continues Hunt for seized Britons continues
(about 2 hours later)
Authorities are not giving up the search for five Britons abducted in the Iraqi capital Baghdad this week, Canon Andrew White has said.Authorities are not giving up the search for five Britons abducted in the Iraqi capital Baghdad this week, Canon Andrew White has said.
The five - four guards and a financial adviser - were captured on Tuesday.The five - four guards and a financial adviser - were captured on Tuesday.
"We ourselves, the British Embassy and every party involved is doing all they can," the Anglican vicar of Baghdad said on the BBC's Today programme."We ourselves, the British Embassy and every party involved is doing all they can," the Anglican vicar of Baghdad said on the BBC's Today programme.
US troops have carried out searches for the missing men in the Shia-controlled Sadr City area of Baghdad.US troops have carried out searches for the missing men in the Shia-controlled Sadr City area of Baghdad.
The men were taken from the Iraqi Finance Ministry in Baghdad by a group of up to 40 men, some of whom were said to have been dressed in police uniforms.The men were taken from the Iraqi Finance Ministry in Baghdad by a group of up to 40 men, some of whom were said to have been dressed in police uniforms.
'Terrible situation''Terrible situation'
Canon White said the city had been wracked by sectarian strife, with different government departments infiltrated by sparring militia groups.Canon White said the city had been wracked by sectarian strife, with different government departments infiltrated by sparring militia groups.
"We are in a terrible situation," he said. "We haven't even been able to meet in church today," he said."We are in a terrible situation," he said. "We haven't even been able to meet in church today," he said.
"The efforts of the Americans and US troops are important. We agree we need them. But the fact is that life on the ground here is getting very significantly worse."The efforts of the Americans and US troops are important. We agree we need them. But the fact is that life on the ground here is getting very significantly worse.
"There is a major sectarian struggle, a major issue in the rise of sectarian violence.""There is a major sectarian struggle, a major issue in the rise of sectarian violence."
Troops and police are searching for the missing BritonsTroops and police are searching for the missing Britons
He said: "We are seeing a huge measure of sectarianism in each Government ministry and the people are suffering because of it."He said: "We are seeing a huge measure of sectarianism in each Government ministry and the people are suffering because of it."
Canon White, an experienced hostage negotiator, has said he personally knows the men involved.Canon White, an experienced hostage negotiator, has said he personally knows the men involved.
The four kidnapped security guards were working for Canadian-owned security firm GardaWorld. The company provides security for Canon White.The four kidnapped security guards were working for Canadian-owned security firm GardaWorld. The company provides security for Canon White.
The fifth person works for a US management consultancy, BearingPoint.The fifth person works for a US management consultancy, BearingPoint.
Witnesses said the street where the ministry is located was sealed off at both ends and the kidnappers walked past ministry guards.Witnesses said the street where the ministry is located was sealed off at both ends and the kidnappers walked past ministry guards.
On Friday, one of the missing Britons was named as 28-year-old Alec MacLachlan, from Llanelli in Wales. On Friday, one of the missing Britons was named as 28-year-old Alec MacLachlan, from Llanelli in south Wales.
South Wales Police have also confirmed that one of the hostages is from the Cardiff area and the force is providing support to the family.