Iranian diplomat seized in Iraq released

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4683624.html

TEHRAN, Iran — An Iranian diplomat in Iraq seized two months ago by uniformed gunmen has been released, Iran reported Tuesday, while in Baghdad a senior foreign ministry official said his government was "intensively" seeking the release of five Iranians detained there by the U.S.

The developments came as British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the next two days would be "fairly critical" to resolving the dispute over a British navy crew seized by Iran.

The Iraqi official also said Iraq had exerted pressure on those holding the Iranian diplomat, Jalal Sharafi, who was released Monday and returned to Tehran on Tuesday. The official would not say who had held the diplomat.

A senior government official, however, said Iraqi intelligence had held the Iranian diplomat. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

Sharafi was seized on Feb. 4 when his car was intercepted by vehicles carrying armed men in the Karradah district of Baghdad. The gunmen, who wore Iraqi uniforms, forced him into one of their vehicles and sped away.

[Kagemusha]

1. Well, well. Diplomacy at work trying to save Blair's rear end

Blair should've allowed diplomacy to work from the start IMHO. His pious grandstanding did nothing to help the foreign office to resolve this matter without a shooting war (which in any rate would have resolved nothing, for Britain alone).

[Leopolds Ghost]

2. Very Interesting n/t

[Jacobin]

3. Oh goody. We have hostage trades now, just like Israel.