Kidnappers in Iraq have again taken several foreigners hostage, this time workers trying to rebuild the country's telecommunications infrastructure.
Interior ministry officials say two Egyptian engineers were abducted in Baghdad late Thursday.
There also are reports that as many as eight other Egyptian and Iraqi employees of the same company's subsidiary were kidnapped outside the capital on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, 50,000 leaflets have been distributed in Baghdad appealing for information about British hostage Kenneth Bigley. Mr. Bigley and two Americans were seized last week by militants affiliated with wanted terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The two Americans were beheaded earlier this week.
And there has been no news on the fate of two female Italian aid workers after Internet messages circulated Thursdaysaying they had been killed. Italy's government said the statements likely were false.
Information for this story is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.