Most Foreign NGOs In Iraq Preparing To Leave: Coordinator

BAGHDAD, Sept 8 (AFP) - Most foreign aid organisations based in Iraq are preparing to leave the war-torn country following the kidnapping of two Italian aid workers, a coordinator for their activities said Wednesday.
"Following the discussions I had this morning, it seems that most foreign NGOs are preparing to leave, and some expatriates already left this morning," Jean-Dominique Bunel told AFP.
"The others should do the same thing in days to come. All flight are booked until Friday," he said.
On Tuesday, two Italian women working for the Italian charity Un Ponte Per Baghdad (Bridge to Baghdad) and two of their Iraqi colleagues were kidnapped in broad daylight from their offices in a residential neighbourhood of the capital.
"The reason they are leaving is that this is a new modus operandi since the kidnappers entered their office right in the middle of Baghdad and that women are being taken hostage," Bunel said.
According to the Frenchman, there are some 50 non-governmental organisations in Iraq that count at least one foreigner among their staff.