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Iraq: many kidnapped "released"

BAGHDAD: About 70 victims of a mass kidnapping at an office of the Higher Education Ministry have been released, said a Ministry spokesman on Wednesday, but officials were unable to say how many remained captive.

``The latest news I have is that 32 of those kidnapped were released this afternoon,'' said Basil al-Khatib in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. ``Since yesterday [Tuesday], 27 employees were released as well as some others. The total was 40, and now we have additional 32.''

Since Tuesday's kidnapping there has been confusion about how many people were taken captive and how many were later freed.

Elsewhere, a series of attacks killed at least 20 Iraqis, including two journalists, and wounded 47 on Wednesday.

The U.S. military also announced the combat deaths of three U.S. Army soldiers and three U.S. Marines. — AP

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Iraq: many kidnapped "released"

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