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28/11/2005
Two Britons killed in Iraq
Two British men have been killed in a gun attack in Iraq, it has been reported.
The men, who are understood to be Shi’ite Muslims from west London, died when gunmen opened fire on their minibus, which was taking a group of Muslims to visit holy sites.
The attack happened at a checkpoint in the Dora neighbourhood.
It has also been reported that an Iraqi was also killed and three people are believed to have been injured.
The Foreign Office is investigating the incident. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that he could not confirm the reports, but repeated government advice for Britons to avoid travelling to Iraq.
However, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, general secretary of the Muslim Council of Great Britain, said that between 5,000 and 10,000 mainly Shia community members, made pilgrimages to Iraq from Britain every year.
An investigation is also underway to discover the whereabouts of a British man who was kidnapped in Iraq at the weekend.
Norman Kember, a retired professor in his 70s, from Pinner, north London, was reported to have been kidnapped on Saturday, along with two Canadians and an American.
It is understood that Mr Kember used to be the secretary of a peace group, although it has been reported that he no longer represents the group.
A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that British authorities were working closely with the other countries involved in the incident.
The Foreign Secretary stressed that the UK had a “clear and consistent” policy on ransoms and would not pay them in the event of a kidnapping.
(KMcA/GB)
The men, who are understood to be Shi’ite Muslims from west London, died when gunmen opened fire on their minibus, which was taking a group of Muslims to visit holy sites.
The attack happened at a checkpoint in the Dora neighbourhood.
It has also been reported that an Iraqi was also killed and three people are believed to have been injured.
The Foreign Office is investigating the incident. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that he could not confirm the reports, but repeated government advice for Britons to avoid travelling to Iraq.
However, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, general secretary of the Muslim Council of Great Britain, said that between 5,000 and 10,000 mainly Shia community members, made pilgrimages to Iraq from Britain every year.
An investigation is also underway to discover the whereabouts of a British man who was kidnapped in Iraq at the weekend.
Norman Kember, a retired professor in his 70s, from Pinner, north London, was reported to have been kidnapped on Saturday, along with two Canadians and an American.
It is understood that Mr Kember used to be the secretary of a peace group, although it has been reported that he no longer represents the group.
A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that British authorities were working closely with the other countries involved in the incident.
The Foreign Secretary stressed that the UK had a “clear and consistent” policy on ransoms and would not pay them in the event of a kidnapping.
(KMcA/GB)
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