Gunmen kidnap Iraqi deputy minister, 19 bodyguards

BAGHDAD, July 4 (Reuters) Gunmen abducted Iraq's deputy electricity minister and 19 bodyguards after ambushing their convoy in eastern Baghdad today, police and Interior Ministry sources said.

Police said Deputy Minister Raad al-Harith was travelling in a convoy near Baghdad's Shi'ite Sadr City district when gunmen in up to seven vehicles wearing military uniforms blocked their way and kidnapped them.

REUTERS SRS ND1456