Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 14, 2009

2 French Nationals Seized in Somalia
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2554D2D:A6F02AD83191E1601FCAF69E948DDE17E55ED32ED25AB8F6&
 
Witnesses say at least 10 gunmen stormed Sahafi Hotel, disarmed guards,
grabbed two foreigners from their rooms 
Men walk by Mogadishu's hotel Sahafi where two foreigners were
kidnapped, 14 Jul 2009 Two French security advisors have been kidnapped
at gunpoint from a hotel in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Witnesses say
at least 10 gunmen stormed the Sahafi Hotel Tuesday, disarmed the hotel
guards, and grabbed the two foreigners from their rooms. The kidnapped
men initially were believed to be journalists. But the French foreign
ministry says they were on an official mission, providing help in
security matters to the Somali transitional government. The ministry
says all appropriate French agencies have been mobilized to help find
the two. No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.
Foreigners are frequent targets of kidnappers in Somalia, one of the
world's most dangerous and chaotic countries. Kidnap victims usually are
released unharmed, often after payment of substantial ransoms. Witnesses
to Tuesday's kidnapping say the gunmen arrived in at least two vehicles,
and that some of!
  them were wearing government uniforms. Several government ministers
live in the hotel, which also is popular with foreign reporters. Some
information for this report was provided by AFP.


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