June 10, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 9, 1424

BAGHDAD, June 9: The US military has kept three Palestinian diplomats in prison since their arrest on May 28, but eight other employees of the embassy have been set free, mission spokesman Mohammad Atta said on Monday.

“The three office boys and three Palestinian security men as well as two gardeners were freed last week, but the three diplomats are still in detention,” Mr Atta said.

Charge d’affaires Najjah Abdul Rahman, consul Ibrahim Mohsen and commercial counsellor Munir Sobhi were arrested during a 24-hour search of the embassy.

As part of efforts to secure their release, “Palestinian prime minister Mahmud Abbas has made contact with the United States but in vain for the moment,” the spokesman said.

US Lieutenant General David McKiernan, commander of US-led ground forces in Iraq, has insisted that soldiers had every right to carry out the raid which left the mission trashed.—AFP