Two Germans have been missing in Iraq for almost a week, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier confirmed today.
"We cannot rule out that it was a kidnapping by force," he told reporters at an EU meeting in Brussels. "Of course we hope there is going to be a good outcome on this and needless to say we are doing all that we can to ensure that ... it ends well."
Steinmeier said the two had been missing since Feb. 6, adding that a special crisis panel within the German foreign ministry had been set up to work on their release. He declined to give further details and did not identify the two.
The Berliner Morgenpost newspaper reported today that the two apparently were kidnapped in Baghdad some days ago.
Three Germans previously taken hostage in Iraq were released unharmed.
Last May, two German engineers were freed after 99 days in captivity in Iraq. Another German was released after three weeks in December 2005.