Iraq minister says 70 to 80 hostages still missing

BAGHDAD, Nov 15 (Reuters) Iraq's Higher Education Minister said today between 70 and 80 hostages seized from a ministry building were still missing after 24 hours and he was stepping down from his post as minister until all were released.

A government spokesman said most of the hostages had been freed, saying 37 were released and between two and five still missing. But Higher Education Minister Abd Dhiab, from the Sunni minority, told Reuters: ''According to our information ... there are around 70 or 80 still being held.'' ''I have suspended my participation as a minister with the government until those people who have been kidnapped are released,'' he said. ''If I can't save and protect the lives of the people in my ministry, whether they are professors or employees or students, there is no use my staying in the ministry.'' REUTERS PB RK1938