MOSCOW, June 7 (RIA Novosti) - The secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference condemned Wednesday the kidnapping of Russian diplomats in Iraq as a crime against Muslim traditions and pledged assistance in getting them released.
At a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said the kidnapping was a crime against humanity, Islam, all principles of international law, and traditional Muslim and Arab hospitality.
Unidentified gunmen attacked Russian Embassy employees in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, June 3, killing one Russian diplomat and kidnapping four others.
Ihsanoglu said the organization regretted the incident and would do everything possible to help release the diplomats.
A senior Russian lawmaker said earlier that Russia was using all its connections with the Iraqi government and major political parties to secure the release of the diplomats.
Mikhail Margelov also urged all Iraqis who remembered aid Russia had given the country to help in the search for the diplomats, but said the kidnapping should not affect friendly relations between Russia and Iraq as the diplomats had been abducted by "international terrorists."
