Senior Iraqi Oil Official Kidnapped

Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani (right) (RFE/RL) June 9, 2006 -- Gunmen in Iraq have kidnapped a senior official in the country's Oil Ministry.

He was seized on June 8, the same day U.S. troops announced they had killed the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi. Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani had said al-Zarqawi's death would improve the country's oil production, particularly in the north.


No contact with the kidnappers has been made.


(Reuters, AP)

RFE/RL Iraq Report

RFE/RL Iraq Report


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