IRAQ NEWS

abcnews.go.com

IRAQ NEWS

Gunmen Seize Five in Two Iraq Kidnappings
Gunmen abducted a Lebanese-American contractor who worked with the U.S. Army from his Baghdad home, Iraqi officials said Wednesday, while four Jordanian truck drivers were seized by assailants in a separate kidnapping. (AP)

Senior Iraqi Oil Official Killed
Gunmen have shot dead a senior figure in the Iraqi oil ministry on his way to work, officials have said. (BBC)

Car Bomb Attacks in Iraq Leave 8 Dead
At least eight people were killed in a string of car bomb attacks across Iraq that targeted symbols of the US-backed government yesterday, as saboteurs blasted its vital oil industry to the north leaving pipelines in flames. (AFP)

Captors Threaten Hassan Handover
Gunmen holding hostage Margaret Hassan said they would hand her to militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi if British troops do not leave Iraq within 48 hours. (BBC)

Hungarian Troops To Exit Iraq In March
Hungary's new Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany has said the country's 300 troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of March 2005, a government spokeswoman said. (Al Jazeera)

G.I. in Abu Ghraib Abuse Is Spared Time in Jail One of the first seven American soldiers charged in connection with the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq will be spared jail time under an agreement approved last week by a military judge. (NY Times)

Insurgents Blow Up an Iraqi Oil Pipeline
A severe blow was dealt to the national economy, even as car bombs and gun battles across the country left at least 12 Iraqis dead (NY Times)

Saddam's Family Dismisses Head Of Defense Team
Toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's family on Tuesday sacked the head of his defence team amid bickering over the handling of his case, as they await his trial on charges of crimes against humanity. (AFP)