BAGHDAD, Dec. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Unidentified abductors in Iraq kidnapped six Sudanese, including a diplomat, on Friday in Baghdad, the Qatar-based al-Jazeera TV channel reported.

    The Sudanese were abducted after they attended a Muslim prayers ceremony, said al-Jazeera, adding the diplomat was Sudanese embassy's second secretary.

    Sudan's Foreign Ministry confirmed the kidnapping. A spokesman was quoted as saying that the embassy has received a call by an unidentified abductor who claimed the kidnapping.

    On Nov. 9, Gunmen shot dead a Sudanese driver at the country's embassy in Baghdad, two days after a Sudanese diplomat was slightly injured after being shot at in the Iraqi capital.

    According to media tally, gunmen have kidnapped more than 240 foreigners and killed at least 39 since US military forces invaded Iraq in March 2003. Enditem