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Algerian Envoy, Attache Reportedly Abducted In Iraq


21 July 2005 -- Reports from Iraq are claiming that Algeria's envoy to Baghdad and a diplomatic attache were abducted today in the Iraqi capital.

News agencies quote unnamed Iraqi police, government, and embassy officials as saying mission chief Ali Billaroussi and diplomatic attache Azzedine bin Fadi were kidnapped on a Baghdad street by gunmen in two cars.

Egypt's envoy to Iraq was kidnapped and killed in Iraq earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the United States has called on Iraqis to finish the country's new constitution despite the assassination of two Sunni Arab members of the drafting committee and the resignation of others.

Following the killings, the 12 remaining Sunnis on the commission suspended their work until an international inquiry is held.

The boycotting Sunnis warned other committee members today against pushing the draft constitution through without their support, Reuters reported.

(Reuters/AP/AFP)

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