Chinese workers kidnapped in Iraq

Eight Chinese nationals working in Iraq were abducted by insurgents, the Chinese embassy in Baghdad announced. The captors released a video of the men holding their passports. International news agency reports said the kidnappers had threatened to kill the men within 48 hours unless the Chinese government "clarifies its role" in Iraq. Beijing was strongly opposed to the invasion of Iraq, but has sent several construction crews to work on projects in the country and has pledged assistance for the upcoming election.