Kidnapped deputy oil minister freed in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Aug 28 (Reuters) Kidnapped Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister Abdul Jabbar al-Wagga was freed today along with three other oil officials, a spokesman for the Oil Ministry said.

''He is in good health along with the others. They are now at home,'' said the spokesman, Asim Jihad.

Wagga and four other officials were kidnapped on August 14 by a large group of gunmen who stormed the state oil marketing organisation's building.

One of the officials was freed a few days later, but Wagga and three others were held until today, the spokesman said.

Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani has said as many as 100 gunmen had carried out the attack, carrying ''sophisticated weapons'' and wearing official uniforms. He described the kidnapping as political.

REUTERS LPB HT1627