February 20, 2003	Thursday	Zul Hijjah 18, 1423

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LONDON, Feb 19: The United Kingdom has advised British nationals to leave Iraq immediately in light of increasing regional tension and risk of terrorist action.

“We advise any British nationals already there to leave immediately. We are giving this advice because of the increasing regional tension and of the risk of terrorist action,” said foreign office sources here on Wednesday.

The sources reminded British nationals that Britons were used as hostages in the 1991 Gulf war.

“If you are considering going to Iraq you should be aware that British nationals were used as hostages during the 1990-91 crisis by the Iraqi regime, being held where their safety was at most risk. You should also be aware that there is no British diplomatic presence in Iraq to offer consular assistance,” said the sources. —AFP