Gunmen seize 16 from Iraq company

The company's headquarters are based in the Mansour district

Gunmen have kidnapped 16 employees of an Iraqi trading company, interior ministry officials say.

The staff were seized from the headquarters of the Saeed import and export firm in the exclusive Mansour neighbourhood of Baghdad.

The kidnappers appeared to rifle through papers and computers before taking the staff, Lt Col Falah al-Mohammadawi told the AP news agency.

The motive for the kidnapping was not immediately known, he added.

Earlier this month, up to 50 people were seized from the offices of Iraqi security firm al-Rawafed in the Zayouna distract of Baghdad by people wearing police uniforms.

In Monday's abduction, the gunmen were reported to have arrived at the trading company at 0700 GMT in four civilian cars.