This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8502054.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Iraq video 'shows US contractor' Iraq video 'shows US contractor'
(40 minutes later)
A Shia militant group in Iraq has posted an internet video showing an abducted man who may be a missing US military contractor. An Iraqi militant group has posted an internet video showing an abducted man who may be a US military contractor.
US defence officials say Issa Salomi was last seen in Baghdad on 23 January and that search and recovery efforts are under way, AP news agency reports.US defence officials say Issa Salomi was last seen in Baghdad on 23 January and that search and recovery efforts are under way, AP news agency reports.
In the video, the man says he has been abducted by a group called the League of the Righteous. In the video, the man says he has been abducted by a Shia Muslim group demanding the release of militants.
He says they are demanding the release of militants. He says his abductors also want the prosecution of contractors from US security firm Blackwater.
The man - who does not identify himself - says his abductors also want the prosecution of Blackwater security contractors, and the immediate withdrawal of the US military from Iraq. The man - who does not identify himself - also calls for the immediate withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq before adding: "I would like to express to all the members of my family, especially my wife, my children and my friends and to assure everybody that I'm being treated kindly and I'm in good health."
Blackwater security guards who were protecting US diplomats opened fire in Nisoor Square, a crowded Baghdad crossroads, in September 2007. Seventeen people, including women and children, were killed.Blackwater security guards who were protecting US diplomats opened fire in Nisoor Square, a crowded Baghdad crossroads, in September 2007. Seventeen people, including women and children, were killed.
A federal judge in the US has dismissed manslaughter charges in the Blackwater shootings case, ruling that that the guards' constitutional rights had been violated and that the justice department had mishandled evidence.A federal judge in the US has dismissed manslaughter charges in the Blackwater shootings case, ruling that that the guards' constitutional rights had been violated and that the justice department had mishandled evidence.
'Lured''Lured'
There was no way to verify the authenticity of the video, but the Associated Press quotes a high-ranking Iraqi defence official as saying that Mr Salomi, 60, was abducted by the militant group in the central Baghdad district of Karrada.There was no way to verify the authenticity of the video, but the Associated Press quotes a high-ranking Iraqi defence official as saying that Mr Salomi, 60, was abducted by the militant group in the central Baghdad district of Karrada.
He said Mr Salomi was of Iraqi origin, and that his abductors lured him to Karrada under the pretence of visiting distant relatives.He said Mr Salomi was of Iraqi origin, and that his abductors lured him to Karrada under the pretence of visiting distant relatives.
The man in the video is seated in a chair and wearing what looks like a US military uniform. Behind him is the black banner of the militant group. The man in the video is seated in a chair and wearing what looks like a US military uniform. Behind him is the black banner of the militant group, the League of the Righteous.
The same group was believed to be behind the kidnapping in Baghdad of British computer consultant Peter Moore in May 2007, along with his four bodyguards, AP says. The same group was believed to be behind the kidnapping in Baghdad of British computer consultant Peter Moore in May 2007, along with his four bodyguards, AP says. Mr Moore was handed over to the Iraqi authorities in late December. Three of the bodyguards were killed, and the fourth is believed dead.
Mr Moore was handed over to the Iraqi authorities in late December. Three of the bodyguards were killed, and the fourth is believed dead. The US defence department said the missing contractor was from El Cajon, California.
Mr Salomi's family issued a statement through the FBI in San Diego, which said: "We are confident that everything is being done by the most capable people here and abroad to bring Issa home safely, and we all are anxiously awaiting his safe return."