A TERRIFIED aid chief was in the hands of Iraqi kidnappers last night after being taken hostage in Baghdad.

Margaret Hassan, who heads Care International's operation in the country, was shown with her hands bound behind her back looking very distressed in a video on Arab TV station Al-Jazeera.

The TV station reported that an unnamed armed Iraqi group said it had kidnapped Mrs Hassan, who was born in Dublin and holds dual British and Iraqi nationality.

The video showed the charity worker, who views herself as Iraqi and has lived in the country for 30 years, sitting with her hands tied behind her back, as well as shots of her passport, credit and identity cards.

The latest kidnapping comes less than two weeks after British hostage Ken Bigley was beheaded.

Last night, Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed the Government would do all it could to help free Mrs Hassan.

Mr Blair told reporters: ''This is someone who has lived in Iraq for 30 years, someone who is immensely respected, someone who is doing their level best to help the country.

''I think it shows you the type of people we are up against.

''We don't know which group it is, so there's really a limit at this stage to what I can say to you.

''We will do whatever we can, obviously.''

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw had earlier said he was ''very concerned'' about the situation and was being kept closely informed of any developments.

''Our thoughts and prayers go out to her, her family and her colleagues at what is a very anxious time,'' he added.

Mrs Hassan, who is married to an Iraqi, has worked tirelessly for more than 25 years providing humanitarian relief in Iraq and has been a vocal opponent of international sanctions.

Shortly before the US and British invasion of Iraq in 2003 she warned that the country could face a humanitarian catastrophe if war went ahead and has since expressed frustration over the effect of the conflict.

Described by friends as caring, tough and direct, she began working for Care International soon after it began operations in Iraq in 1991.

She commands a staff of 60 Iraqis who run nutrition, health and water programmes throughout the country, and was determined to stay in Iraq when the US and British invasion began last year.

Care said it was unaware of a motive for the abduction.

''As far as we know, Margaret is unharmed,'' it said in a statement.

''Needless to say, we are doing whatever we can to secure her release.

''But equally, it would be unhelpful for us to comment further at this time.

''Our overwhelming concern must be for Margaret's safety.''

The charity Islamic Relief, which is based in Birmingham, called for her release, saying that in the holy month of Ramadan especially her kidnappers should think of her family and those she was helping.

Spokesman Ideel Jafferi said staff were praying for her safe return.

''It's Ramadan - it's a time of peace and goodwill, and in this particularly holy month they must think of the family of Margaret and the people she is trying to help,'' he said.

''It's a dreadful thing to happen.''

In a recent interview in The Independent Mrs Hassan, who is said to speak fluent Arabic with an Iraqi accent, expressed frustration with what she called the ''the man-made disaster'' visited on Iraq by the recent conflict.

''Yes, some people have benefited from what we have done. But we can't solve the problem of Iraq. It's got no economy,'' she said.

Sanctions, she said, ''are inhuman and what we are doing cannot redress that inhumanity. They are contrary to the UN Charter, which enshrines the rights of the individual. It's a contradiction, a hypocrisy - it's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.''

Care International stressed that Mrs Hassan, thought to be in her 50s, considers herself an Iraqi national.

The Foreign Office said she was born in Dublin and had dual British and Iraqi nationality.

The Irish Foreign Office said she was an Irish citizen, having been born in in Ireland and later moved to Britain.

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said: ''I am deeply concerned to hear of the kidnapping of Margaret Hassan in Iraq and I call for her immediate and unconditional release. Mrs Hassan is a leading aid worker who has devoted many years to helping the Iraqi people.

''I am very concerned about Mrs Hassan's safety and I and my officials stand ready to contribute in any way we can to help secure her release. Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret and her family at this difficult time.''

Mr Ahern said he had been in touch with some members of Mrs Hassan's family who still live in Ireland.

US founded, but based in Belgium, Care International is the world's largest humanitarian relief agency, with a presence in 72 countries.