Italian taken hostage in Iraq: report

ROME, Dec 15 (AFP) - An Italian national working for a British non-governmental organisation has been taken hostage in Iraq, the Italian news agency ANSA reported quoting Italian intelligence sources.
The news agency identified the hostage as a 52-year-old man from the Campania region near Rome, without providing details of the kidnapping.
Seven Italians have been taken hostage in Iraq since the beginning of the year. Two, including journalist Enzo Baldoni and a businessman of Iraqi origin, have been killed.
The others, including two women aid workers, have been released.
The announcement of the new hostage-taking came as Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was in Washington meeting with US President George W. Bush.
Italy has some 3,000 troops stationed in Iraq, and has been one of the staunchest supporters of the US-led war.

12/15/2004 21:05 GMT - AFP