Two relatives of Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, who were kidnapped last
week, have been released and a third relative still remains in captivity, said a
spokesman for Allawi on Monday.
The two women relatives of the prime minister were released on Sunday, but
there was still no word on Allawi's cousin, said the spokesman, without giving
further details.
On Nov. 9, a first cousin of Allawi, the cousin's wife and his
daughter-in-law were kidnapped from their house in western
Baghdad.
Allawi, who leads the current Iraqi interim government, was the
latest victim of the rampant wave of abduction. Over 170 foreigners and
relatives of wealthy figures have been kidnapped in Iraq for political or
financial purposes during the months-long chaos and deteriorated situation.
The bold abduction followed the start of a joint US-Iraqi major offensive
last week to wipe the insurgents off Fallujah, a long-time rebel bastion since
the war started in March last year.
A militant group, calling itself Ansar al-Jihad (Partisans of Holy War)
claimed responsibility for the abduction and threatened to kill the hostages if
Allawi didn't order a withdrawal from the besieged Fallujah.
