U.N.: Algerian diplomats killed

UNITED NATIONS, July 27 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the two Algerian diplomats being held hostage in Iraq by Abu Musab Zarqawi's group have been killed.

"I just heard that they have been killed," Annan told reporters Wednesday during a corridor encounter at U.N. World Headquarters in New York. "I cannot but condemn this senseless and brutal killing of innocent diplomats."

Algeria's Ambassador to the United Nations, Abdallah Baali, told reporters after the deaths were confirmed, "We are determined to continue our fight against terrorism with even more strength and more resolve and ... we stand by the side of the Iraqi people and we wish the Iraqi people well and hope that they will be able soon to recover their stability and their security."

The Algiers envoy added, "I have no information about whether or not our mission will stay" in Iraq.

Algeria's Charge d'affaires Ali Belaroussi and diplomatic attaché Ezzedine Belkadi were kidnapped in Baghdad last week. An al-Qaida organization in Mesopotamia led by Zarqawi claimed responsibility.