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/6700319.stm

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Five Britons abducted in Baghdad Five Britons abducted in Baghdad
(10 minutes later)
Five Britons have been kidnapped from Iraq's finance ministry in Baghdad, the British government has confirmed.Five Britons have been kidnapped from Iraq's finance ministry in Baghdad, the British government has confirmed.
They included four bodyguards and a finance expert. Earlier reports said the expert was German.They included four bodyguards and a finance expert. Earlier reports said the expert was German.
Witnesses and sources told the BBC that the kidnappers wore police uniforms and arrived in up to 40 police vehicles.Witnesses and sources told the BBC that the kidnappers wore police uniforms and arrived in up to 40 police vehicles.
"We are aware of reports that a group of Westerners have been kidnapped. We are urgently looking into them," the UK foreign office said."We are aware of reports that a group of Westerners have been kidnapped. We are urgently looking into them," the UK foreign office said.
The British government convened an emergency meeting of its Cobra crisis management committee on Tuesday afternoon.The British government convened an emergency meeting of its Cobra crisis management committee on Tuesday afternoon.
Also on Tuesday, Baghdad was shaken by a bus explosion which killed at least 23 people and injured about 55, and a car bomb which killed at least 17 people, hurt at least 36 and destroyed a Shia mosque.Also on Tuesday, Baghdad was shaken by a bus explosion which killed at least 23 people and injured about 55, and a car bomb which killed at least 17 people, hurt at least 36 and destroyed a Shia mosque.
The US military also announced that 10 of its soldiers were killed in Iraq on Monday, including two in a helicopter crash. Two more were reported dead on Tuesday. The US military also announced that 10 of its soldiers were killed in Iraq on Monday, including two in a helicopter crash.
At least 114 US troops have been killed so far in May, making it the deadliest month for American forces in two-and-a-half years.At least 114 US troops have been killed so far in May, making it the deadliest month for American forces in two-and-a-half years.
Renegade police?Renegade police?
There are conflicting reports about exactly how Tuesday's abduction took place and how many people are missing.There are conflicting reports about exactly how Tuesday's abduction took place and how many people are missing.
'Hired guns' in Iraq'Hired guns' in Iraq
Witnesses said it was carried out by what appeared to be a police unit.Witnesses said it was carried out by what appeared to be a police unit.
The street was sealed off at both ends and the kidnappers, in police camouflage uniforms, walked straight past guards at the finance ministry building on Palestine Street, the witnesses said.The street was sealed off at both ends and the kidnappers, in police camouflage uniforms, walked straight past guards at the finance ministry building on Palestine Street, the witnesses said.
A police source told the BBC that dozens of police vehicles were used in the operation.A police source told the BBC that dozens of police vehicles were used in the operation.
The BBC's Paul Wood in Baghdad says that if such reports are true, it could point to the involvement of a renegade police unit, possibly special commandoes.The BBC's Paul Wood in Baghdad says that if such reports are true, it could point to the involvement of a renegade police unit, possibly special commandoes.
While it has been possible in the past for criminals or militants to hire police uniforms and vehicles, he says, the scale of this operation suggests real police involvement.While it has been possible in the past for criminals or militants to hire police uniforms and vehicles, he says, the scale of this operation suggests real police involvement.
It is well known that the Iraqi police are heavily infiltrated by militia groups, leading to split loyalties and corruption, our correspondent says.It is well known that the Iraqi police are heavily infiltrated by militia groups, leading to split loyalties and corruption, our correspondent says.
Fewer kidnappingsFewer kidnappings
The missing security guards are all believed to have been working for the GardaWorld security agency - a Canadian-owned firm largely staffed by British former service personnel.The missing security guards are all believed to have been working for the GardaWorld security agency - a Canadian-owned firm largely staffed by British former service personnel.
GardaWorld is one of the biggest suppliers of private security in Iraq, and is thought to have hundreds of staff in the country.GardaWorld is one of the biggest suppliers of private security in Iraq, and is thought to have hundreds of staff in the country.
Iraqi police are heavily infiltrated by militiasIraqi police are heavily infiltrated by militias
It was not clear what job GardaWorld's client was doing in Baghdad.It was not clear what job GardaWorld's client was doing in Baghdad.
The BBC's security correspondent, Frank Gardner, says a British crisis team, including police hostage negotiators, members of the secret intelligence service, and regional experts, is being assembled to establish lines of communication with the kidnappers.The BBC's security correspondent, Frank Gardner, says a British crisis team, including police hostage negotiators, members of the secret intelligence service, and regional experts, is being assembled to establish lines of communication with the kidnappers.
About 200 foreigners of many different nationalities have been kidnapped in Iraq over the past four years, though the number has fallen dramatically since a few years ago.About 200 foreigners of many different nationalities have been kidnapped in Iraq over the past four years, though the number has fallen dramatically since a few years ago.
This is thought to be the first time an abduction has been staged at a government facility.This is thought to be the first time an abduction has been staged at a government facility.
Correspondents say hopes for the captives' future depends on who is holding them.Correspondents say hopes for the captives' future depends on who is holding them.
The Sunni al-Qaeda has a record of killing captives, while if it is a Shia group, there may be scope for political negotiation, our correspondent in Baghdad says.The Sunni al-Qaeda has a record of killing captives, while if it is a Shia group, there may be scope for political negotiation, our correspondent in Baghdad says.
If it is a criminal group, then GardaWorld can expect a ransom demand, he says. The British government itself has a declared position of not paying ransoms.If it is a criminal group, then GardaWorld can expect a ransom demand, he says. The British government itself has a declared position of not paying ransoms.