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Iraq PM calls for raiders' arrest Iraq PM calls for raiders' arrest
(about 1 hour later)
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has called for the speedy arrest of those responsible for the kidnapping of up to 40 hostages on Tuesday. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has called for the immediate arrest of those behind a mass kidnapping from a government building in Baghdad.
Most of the people seized in the raid in a Baghdad education facility have been freed. The authorities say about 40 people taken from the higher education ministry building by gunmen in interior ministry uniforms have been released.
Gunmen dressed in uniforms similar to those worn by Iraqi police abducted dozens of people. Police say they are trying to release more people. Police say they are attempting to free more, but there are conflicting reports of how many are still being held.
Later on Wednesday, a car bomb exploded in Baghdad, killing at least 12 people. Later on Wednesday, a car bomb exploded in Baghdad, killing at least 11 people.
About 20 of the abductees were released on Tuesday evening. The rest were said to have been freed shortly before midnight in Baghdad (2100 GMT), presidential security adviser Wafiq al-Sammarai told the BBC. The blast occurred in central Baghdad, near a petrol station close to the interior ministry.
Mr Maliki, said that the militants behind the daylight raid were "worst than extremists" and he called for their immediate arrests. 'Worse than extremists'
"What happened was not terrorism, rather it was due to dispute and conflict between militias from one side or another," he said in televised remarks. The Iraqi presidential security adviser, Wafiq al-Samaari, said higher education ministry hostages had been freed in intensive police operations across the Iraqi capital.
Iraqi police have told the BBC that operations to secure the men are still going on throughout Baghdad. Five Iraqi police commanders are being investigated, including the police chief of Karrada district where the abductions occurred.
So far there have not been any reports on the condition of the men released, or whether police operations to free them were violent. What happened was not terrorism, rather it was due to dispute and conflict between militias from one side or another Nouri MalikiIraqi Prime Minister
Mr Maliki said the militants behind the daylight raid were "worse than extremists", and added: "What happened was not terrorism, rather it was due to dispute and conflict between militias from one side or another."
He went on to demand the release the remaining captives.
He was speaking at Baghdad university during a visit to calm professors and students.
Daylight raidDaylight raid
When the 20 vehicles pulled up outside the education building in central Baghdad, the militants were wearing uniforms that had been specially designed in the United States so they would be hard to copy. The militants behind the mass kidnap were wearing uniforms that had been specially designed for the ministry of interior.
Quick guide: Iraq violence Kidnapping stokes fearsQuick guide: Iraq violence Kidnapping stokes fears
Many here feel this is yet another example of collusion within the Iraqi police force, says the BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad. Many here feel this is yet another example of collusion within the Iraqi police force - something the prime minister is trying desperately to stamp out, says the BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad.
The armed gang responsible locked the women present in a room and drove off with the men in a fleet of vehicles.The armed gang responsible locked the women present in a room and drove off with the men in a fleet of vehicles.
Five Iraqi police commanders are being investigated, including the police chief of Karrada district where the abductions occurred.
Initial estimates had suggested that more than 100 people had been seized, but that was later revised down throughout the day.Initial estimates had suggested that more than 100 people had been seized, but that was later revised down throughout the day.
Baghdad has been plagued by sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia communities, with so-called "death squads" regularly said to have strong links to elements of the Shia-dominated government.Baghdad has been plagued by sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia communities, with so-called "death squads" regularly said to have strong links to elements of the Shia-dominated government.