Iran has confirmed that Iraqi insurgents have kidnapped one of its diplomats.
The Iranian embassy in Baghdad says the diplomat (Faridoun Jihani) disappeared Wednesday while traveling to the central city of Karbala to open an Iranian consulate. Iranian state television said no ransom has been demanded.
Earlier, the Arabic television network al-Arabiyah aired a statement in which the kidnappers said they abducted the diplomat, in part, because he had been operating "outside the sphere of diplomacy."
Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti company that employs seven kidnapped foreign truck drivers says the captors have added a new condition that must be met before the hostages will be released. Authorities have not revealed the demand.
The captives, three Indians, three Kenyans and an Egyptian, were abducted July 21st.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.