Iraq condemns embassy occupation

Shots have been heard fired in the consulate

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq has condemned the occupation of its embassy in Berlin as a "terrorist aggression" by mercenaries of the Israeli and U.S. intelligence services.

Members of an Iraqi opposition group earlier seized hostages at the Iraqi Consulate and in a statement called for a "peaceful and temporary" action to push for an end to the rule of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Iraq. (Full story)

"Armed terrorists from the mercenaries of the American and Zionist intelligence services attacked our embassy in Berlin, hurting an employee and holding the rest of the employees inside the building," the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It said the ministry was in contact with the German authorities over "swift measures to evacuate the embassy from these mercenary terrorists and to protect the lives of the staff from this terrorist aggression," Reuters news agency reported.

The unknown number of hostage-takers are believed to be holding five or six people, among them the Iraqi charge d'affaires, Shamil Mohammed, German authorities said.

The obscure group, calling itself the Democratic Iraqi Opposition of Germany, said in its statement: "In the name of the Iraqi people and their legitimate leadership, the Iraqi opposition, we declare that the liberation of Iraqi soil begins today. We are taking over the Iraqi Embassy in Berlin and with this the first step in the liberation of our beloved fatherland. (Full statement)

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"This first step against the terrorist regime of Saddam Hussein and his killers, which is taking place with a peaceful purpose, is intended to make the German people, its organisations and its political powers understand that our people have a desire to be free and will act on it. The Germans understand our concerns."

A spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress, an Iraqi exile group that represents a number of opposition parties, condemned the hostage-taking and said it did not represent the Iraqi opposition.

Reuters contributed to this report.