An American, along with two Arab nationals and an Asian, were taken hostage on Monday by gunmen in Baghdad, an Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman said.

"An group of armed men kidnapped an American, an Asian, probably Nepalese or Sri Lankan, and two Arabs from their offices in Mansourdistrict in western Baghdad," said Abdul Rahman.

An exchange of fire broke out when the guard at the compound tried to stop the kidnappers and one man was killed in the battle at about 5:30 p.m. (1430 GMT).

The seized men worked for the Saudi Arabian Investment company, added Rahman.

The incident was the latest in the series of kidnappings plaguing the country. Insurgents have abducted dozens of foreigners in Iraq and were believed to be still holding less than a dozen.

In September, a gang barged into another villa in the well-off Mansour neighborhood, snatching two US businessmen and one British engineer, all of whom were beheaded days later.

Source: Xinhua