Three UN electoral workers abducted in Afghanistan

Three international staff contracted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to work on Afghanistan's first-ever presidential elections earlier this month have been abducted by a group of armed men from a UN vehicle in the country's capital, a UN spokesman said today.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan learned of the abduction, which took place at approximately 1 p.m. local time in Kabul, "with deep regret and dismay," Fred Eckhard said in New York.

"Very few details are known at present," the spokesman added. "The United Nations is in close contact with the authorities and is hoping for the staff members' immediate and unconditional release."