Iraqi deputy minister freed after kidnapping

BAGHDAD, July 4 (Reuters) An Iraqi deputy electricity minister, kidnapped by gunmen today along with 19 bodyguards was released 12 hours later unharmed, Interior Ministry sources said.

They said Raad al-Harith was freed with seven of his bodyguards in the same area where he was kidnapped. Gunmen dressed in camouflage uniforms had abducted him after stopping his convoy in Talbiya district in eastern Baghdad.

REUTERS SHB RN2304