KUWAIT CITY:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely following up the developments surrounding the kidnapping of a Kuwaiti businessman, Khalid Abdul Razaq Al Sarhan, 53, reportedly by a gang in Iraq, reports Al-Anba daily quoting reliable ministry sources.

The same sources said contacts have been established with the Embassy of Kuwait in Baghdad to exert efforts to ensure the abducted citizen returns safe and sound to his family.

Meanwhile, the Annahar daily quoting the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khaled Al-Jarallah said the government of Kuwait is following up the issue with its counterpart in Baghdad.

He also said the Iraqi authorities will exert efforts to reach the gang to free the abducted Kuwaiti businessman who according to

his family visited Iraq frequently to purchase sheep.

Earlier it was reported the man who spoke with an Iraqi accent had demanded ransom with the family and had threatened to kill the man if the money was not paid.