AMMAN, Jordan, Aug 11, SPA -- A Jordanian businessman has been taken hostage in Baghdad, the second to be kidnapped within 24 hours, a Foreign Ministry official said Wednesday. A Jordanian citizen in Iraq informed the ministry thatTaha al-Maharmeh was kidnapped Tuesday, ministry spokesmanAli Al Ayed said. "The embassy and the ministry are investigating theinformation and continue their efforts to ensure therelease of the two men," al-Ayed told The AssociatedPress. He did not provide other details. On Monday, Jordanian Jamal Sadeq al-Salaymeh was kidnapped from his home in al-Saydiyah, a residential area on theoutskirts of the Iraqi capital. Al-Salaymeh, who works as an agent for a Japanese firm inBaghdad, told his office manager in a telephone call thatthe kidnappers had demanded US$250,000 in ransom. Al-Ayed also said Wednesday that the ministry wasinvestigating the fate of another Jordanian, Wael MamduhQushha, whose family has reported that he was kidnapped inthe southern Iraqi city of Basra four months ago. Qushha worked for the Basra based-British firmInternational Support Services (ISS).--SPA1311 Local Time 1011 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/190913