French Red Cross suspends operations in Iraq

PARIS, April 14 (AFP) – The French branch of the Red Cross said Wednesday it has suspended its operations in Iraq because of the growing risks created by the spate of hostage-takings there.

“Confronted with the risk of hostage-taking and violence, the French Red Cross has decided to provisionally close its office in Amman, Jordan, from which it organised its presence in Iraq,” a Red Cross statement said.

As a result, programmes to restablish some networks for distributing drinking water in Iraq would be suspended, it said.

The decision comes after a rash of kidnappings of journalists, aid workers and contract employees in Iraq in an apparent bid to force troops from occupying nations out of the country.

Several companies and organisations have ordered their staff out of Iraq, which has been under US-led control for a year.

© AFP

                                          Subject: French news