Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, March 24

CAIRO -- An Egyptian policeman was killed Saturday in Alexandria province in a bomb blast that targeted the region's security chief, according to Egyptian interior ministry.

The bomb, which was planted under a car, went off when the car of Alexandria's security commander passed by, the ministry said. (Egypt-Alexandria-Blast)

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DAMASCUS -- A total of eight people who were kidnapped by the rebels in the capital Damascus' Eastern Ghouta were set free on Saturday under a fresh agreement with the government, according to Xinhua reporter at the site.

The the abductees were brought to the government-controlled area in the Panorama area on the outskirts of the town of Arbeen in Eastern Ghouta in ambulances. (Syria-Eastern Ghouta-Release of Abductees)

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BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi federal police Saturday confirmed that the policemen who were kidnapped days ago in north of Baghdad had been killed by their abductors.

Lt. Gen. Raid Shakir Jawdat, the commander of the federal police forces, said in a statement "the cowardly terrorist enemy killed the captives, who were kidnapped while unarmed." (Iraq-Killing of Policemen-IS)

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DAMASCUS -- The first batch of the Failaq al-Rahman rebels and their families evacuated the capital Damascus' Eastern Ghouta area on Saturday evening, state TV reported.

Some 17 buses transporting 981 rebels and their families evacuated areas in Eastern Ghouta through a crossing point on the outskirts of the town of Arbeen in Eastern Ghouta. (Syria-Rebels) Enditem