THE HEAD OF IRAQ'S NORTH OIL COMPANY WAS KIDNAPPED IN BAGHDAD ON SUNDAY, THE SECOND HIGH-PROFILE ABDUCTION IN THE CAPITAL IN TWO DAYS, REUTERS REPORTED. GUNMEN SEIZED ADEL QAZAZ FROM HIS CAR IN NORTHERN BAGHDAD AS IRAQI POLICE CONTINUED TO SEARCH FOR THE HEAD OF THE NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, AHMED AL-HADJIYA, WHO WAS ABDUCTED FROM A MEETING ALONG WITH 30 OTHERS A DAY EARLIER. IN FURTHER VIOLENCE HIGHLIGHTING THE SECURITY CHALLENGES , GUNMEN RAIDED A MAJOR HOSPITAL NORTH OF BAGHDAD, KILLING FOUR POLICEMEN AND FREEING 13 WOUNDED PRISONERS. THE KIDNAPPING OF QAZAZ IS A BLOW TO THE COUNTRY'S VITAL OIL SECTOR. HE WAS THE SECOND TOP OIL OFFICIAL TO HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED IN LITTLE OVER A MONTH.
