09/04/2004

Concern over Briton missing in southern Iraq

Concerns have been raised over the safety of a British man who has been confirmed as missing in southern Iraq.

According to the Foreign Office, Gary Michael Teeley, 37, who is originally from Woolwich in London, was last seen in Nasiriyah on Monday.

There has been an upsurge in kidnappings of foreigners as rebels attempt to apply political pressure on Coalition governments to withdraw from the country.

Fears are now mounting that Mr Teeley, who is based in the Middle East and had been working as a consultant for a laundry company, may have been kidnapped by Iraqi resistance fighters.

Mr Teeley is married with five children; his family are said to have been "devastated" by the news of his disappearance.

Three Japanese and eight South Korean nationals have been kidnapped in Iraq in the past week.

(gmcg)

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