Two Italians kidnapped in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 21 (UPI) -- Witnesses say armed men kidnapped two Italian aid workers from the offices of a non-governmental irrigation project in Somalia.

The two were abducted at dawn Wednesday along with a Somali who co-managed their project, the Italian news agency ANSA reports.

ANSA says Italy's intelligence services are working to free Iolanda Occhipinti, a health administrator, and agronomist Giuliano Paganini.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini says all possible action will be taken.

EU countries, including Italy, pulled out of Mogadishu two years ago when the situation in Somalia deteriorated. Most non-government organizations followed suit, leaving locals to man operations.

Somali gunmen have been abducting foreign workers to secure ransom payments.