BAGHDAD, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The British-based CARE charity suspended its work in Iraq Wednesday following the kidnapping of its chief of operations by unknown armed militants.
Margaret Hassan was snatched Tuesday on her way to work in Baghdad. Soon after, the Arabic al-Jazeera satellite television network received and aired a videotape of the woman with her hands behind her back. The video also showed her identity papers. The tape had no audio, and no demands were made for her release.
The head of CARE in Australia, Robert Glasser, confirmed to Australian media Wednesday the agency has suspended its operations in Iraq. The Australian office coordinated the agency's Iraq operations and employed Hassan.
CARE International is based in Birmingham, England, and operates in more than 72 countries. It is one of the few international non-governmental organizations to remain in Iraq, CNN said.
In England, Islamic Relief spokesman Ideel Jafferi told the BBC that staff were praying for the release of Margaret Hassan.
"It's Ramadan -- it's a time of peace and goodwill," Jafferi said.
