11.   The rebels had earlier tried to kidnap election officials traveling through the jungles before a vote later this month, police said.

12.   The rebels have in the past set off explosives to destroy government buildings, burnt buses and killed or kidnapped officials in pursuit of their goals.

13.   Two other officials were kidnapped at the same time as Aminov, but were released Thursday, the agency said.

14.   Four soldiers also died in violent clashes in the insurgency-racked state, while three forestry officials were kidnapped.

15.   Thai military sources in Mae Sot confirmed that a senior KNU official had been kidnapped.

16.   The French consular officials were kidnapped by a gang of fundamentalist gunmen from a carpark outside their home in downtown Algiers as they prepared to go to work.

17.   The French consular officials were kidnapped by a group of fundamentalist gunmen from a car park outside their home in downtown Algiers as they prepared to go to work.