Baghdad: Three UAE nationals, who were abducted in Iraq a few days ago, are on their way back to the UAE, the UAE Foreign Ministry Director General said in a statement.
Juma Al Juniabi said that the three Emiratis, Sultan Rashid Al Mansouri, Saeed Salem Humaid Al Mansouri and Ahmad Shahban Saleh Al Mansouri, in addition to their seven colleagues who were accompanying them in Iraq, are on a plane heading back to the UAE.
Cooperation
Al Junaibi thanked the Iraqi government and Jawad Al Bulani, Iraqi Minister of Interior, and other security bodies for their cooperation, and ensuring the safety and release of the three Emiratis.
Abdullah Ebrahim Al Shehi, UAE ambassador to Iraq, said that the UAE embassy in Iraq, with directives from the Foreign Ministry, carried out intensive efforts over the past few days for the release of the Emirati citizens.
In 2006, UAE diplomat Naji Al Nuaimi was abducted in Baghdad on May 16 by a group Banner of Islam.
The previously unknown Banner of Islam group called for “the closure of the UAE Embassy in Baghdad and the closure of the [Iraqi] television station Al Fayhah which broadcasts from Dubai.
Silent video
The claim was aired on Al Jazeera television which showed a silent video of Al Nuaimi. Al Nuaimi was released by the group on June 2 and returned to a hero’s welcome in UAE.
Al Junaibi thanked the Iraqi government and Jawad Al Bulani, Iraqi Minister of Interior, and other security bodies for their cooperation, and ensuring the safety and release of the three Emiratis.
