Eight Chinese were kidnapped in Iraq; Georges released

The Chinese embassy in Iraq stressed that eight Chinese working there were kidnapped. It said that their trace was lost last week while they were heading for Jordan.

This came after a groups calling itself the Islamic resistance in Iraq -- al-Numan groups -- broadcast a video tape on one Internet showing what it called 8 held Chinese working in a company which builds installations for the American army in Iraq.

The kidnappers called on the Chinese government to clarify its position concerning the detainees and other Chinese in Iraq and threatened to kill the hostages within 48 hours.

In the same context, a Church source in Baghdad announced the release of senior Catholic archbishop in the city Rev. Bassel Georges, 24 hours after his kidnapping. A spokesman for the Vatican said that the release operation was made without paying a ransom.