Abducted Iraqi official released

Baghdad, July 27 (IANS) An Iraqi official who along with his security guards was abducted here has been released, an official said Sunday.

"Riyadh al-Adhadh and his guards have been released by their kidnappers," an interior ministry official told Xinhua.

Al-Adhadh has reached his house in Adhamiyah district in northern Baghdad and has informed the security forces about his safety, the official said.

The head of Baghdad Provincial Council and four of his bodyguards were kidnapped from his house Friday night by unknown gunmen disguised in security uniforms.

According to the official, Iraqi security forces have launched a probe into the abduction.

Al-Adhadh, from Mutahidoun political bloc led by former Sunni speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, was elected as the chairman of Baghdad Provincial Council in June 2013.

More than two years ago, Adhadh was detained under charges of terrorism but was set free after he was cleared by a court.