Iraq PM's relatives kidnapped
Group threatens beheadings if prisoner, Falluja demands not met
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- At least two members of Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's family have been kidnapped at gunpoint from their home in Baghdad, amid conflicting reports from government officials and sources close to the family.
A group called Ansar al-Jihad has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping on a Web site.
The group demanded the release of all Iraqi prisoners and an end to the attacks on Falluja within 48 hours. It said the hostages would be beheaded if its demands were not met.
Ansar al-Jihad has made several claims for attacks before, but this is its first claim for kidnapping.
The Web site, previously used to post claims from the group, claimed there were three hostages. An Allawi adviser and a source close to the family also said three family members were abducted.
But Allawi's office Wednesday said it was aware of the abduction of two family members -- Allawi's cousin, Ghazy Allawi, 75, and his cousin's daughter-in-law.
They were missing after a group of gunmen raided the home, George Sada, an Allawi adviser said.
Ghazy Allawi's bodyguards informed Allawi of the kidnapping, Sada said.
It was not clear if the house was secured at the time of the kidnapping.
Ghazy Allawi has no political interest and did not work for any governmental facility, said Thair Al-Nakib, spokesman for the prime minister's office.
"The prime minister has ordered all efforts be made to find the kidnappers and subject them to the full force of justice and the law, along with all other criminals and terrorists in Iraq," Al-Nakib said.
"Such crimes only increase his and his government's determination to root out these terrorists and criminals in Iraq."
Richard Boucher, spokesman for the U.S. State Department, issued a call for the "unconditional and immediate release of all hostages, including Ghazy Allawi and his family."
Hundreds of Iraqis have been kidnapped by criminal gangs in a wave of abductions in recent months, with more wealthy individuals such as doctors and businessmen most regularly targeted. Most are released after the payment of ransom.
Over the same period, scores of foreigners have been seized, with many of them handed over to Islamic militant groups who have threatened to kill them if demands are not met.
More than 35 foreign hostages have been killed, according to The Associated Press, several by beheading.
CNN's Kianne Sadeq, Kevin Flower and Ayman Mohyeldin contributed to this report.
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Associated Press contributed to this report.
