The Canadian government said Tuesday it was "working urgently" to seek the release of four Christian pacifists kidnapped in Iraq, two of whom were Canadians.

The authorities said the hostages were humanitarian workers helping Iraqis. The government was willing to talk to anyone who might help the release.

"Canada remains willing to listen to and speak with persons who may have information that will assist in the safe release of the hostages," the government said in a statement.

Ottawa said it were working urgently and closely with the governments of Iraq, Britain and the United States.

All of the hostages were members of the Christian Peacemakers Team. They were abducted in Baghdad on November 26 by a group which has threatened to kill them unless all detainees in US and Iraqi prisons are released, according to Al-Jazeera television.

Source: Xinhua