Iraqi Rebels Take Hostages at Berlin Embassy

An Iraqi dissident group today announced it had occupied the Iraqi embassy in Berlin and called for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

Police said several hostages were taken, including the ambassador, and two staff members were injured by pepper spray as a previously unknown group took control of the building in the leafy and elegant suburb of Zehlendorf.

"We are taking over the Iraqi embassy in Berlin and thereby take the first step toward the liberation of our beloved fatherland," the Democratic Iraqi Opposition of Germany said in a statement.

"Our action is peaceful and limited in time. Our path is the liberation of Baghdad."

A police statement said that "several members of the Iraqi opposition threatened several people with weapons", but did not elaborate.

A local resident, Manfred Charnow, who lives 50 metres from the embassy, said he believed he heard two volleys of gunfire at the embassy, but police could not confirm that shots were fired.

A small group of police officers in bulletproof vests and helmets was seen heading toward the embassy, which was out of sight behind trees.

A police spokesman estimated that about 10 people were inside the building in total.

He said that the hostages appeared to have been taken after an argument with staff.

A spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress in London - one of two main opposition groups - said it had no knowledge of the embassy incident and was not familiar with the group's members.

He added that the Iraqi opposition has never before resorted to any violent action outside Iraq against the Baghdad regime.

The new Iraqi embassy opened only on July 17 after moving from Bonn, the former West German capital.

German police are responsible for guarding the perimeter, but can only enter the embassy grounds with Iraqi permission.