(RFE/RL)
1 January 2006 -- Six kidnapped employees of Sudan's embassy in Iraq were released on 31 December.
The announcement was made on 1 January by the embassy's charge d'affaires, Muhammad Ahmad Khalil. Earlier reports said five of the employees were released.
On 30 December, Khartoum announced it would shut its embassy in Baghdad as demanded by the kidnappers, who claimed ties to Al-Qaeda.
It was also announced on 1 January that a Cypriot man kidnapped in Iraq four months ago was released on 31 December after payment of a $200,000 ransom.
He was working for a Cyprus-based company supplying food and alcoholic drinks to U.S. forces.
(Agencies)
RFE/RL Iraq Report
RFE/RL Iraq Report