Canadian, British aid workers freed in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Mar 23 (Reuters) Three Western peace activists were freed from kidnappers today in an operation mounted by US-led forces in Iraq, a British embassy spokeswoman said.

The two Canadians and a Briton from the Christian Peacemaker Teams were snatched in Baghdad in November. The tortured body of their American colleague Tom Fox was found dumped in the city two weeks ago.

''Norman Kember, Harmeet Sooden and Jim Loney were freed early this morning ... in a planned operation mounted by the Multinational Forces in Iraq,'' embassy spokeswoman Lisa Glover said.

The three were being checked by doctors and were in the care of consular staff. Glover had no comment on their state of health but said they had spoken to diplomats.

She declined to say where in Iraq the operation took place or whether there were any casualties or arrests made.

REUTERS DKS KN1526