TRIPOLI, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Criminals are suspected of kidnapping two Italians and a Canadian near the southwestern Libyan town of Ghat, the town's mayor said on Tuesday.

Gomani Mohamad Saleh told Reuters the three were working on airport projects and were abducted between Ghat and Tahala, close to the border with Algeria, early on Monday.

(Reporting by Ahmed Elumami; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Alison Williams) ((Aidan.Lewis@thomsonreuters.com ; +216-29850352;))