Egyptian diplomat 'kidnapped in Iraq'

Iraqi militants have kidnapped an Egyptian diplomat, according to a video tape broadcast by Al-Jazeera tonight.

The diplomat, identified as Mohammed Mamdouh Helmi Qutb, was shown seated in front of six masked kidnappers clad in black clothes and holding firearms.

The group, which called itself the Lions of Allah Brigade, said it had abducted him because the Egyptian government had said it was prepared to deploy security experts to help the interim government in Iraq.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry officials confirmed they have a diplomat in their Baghdad mission by the name of Mamdouh Qutb. The officials said they were checking the Al-Jazeera report.

Al-Jazeera quoted the hostage – who wore a pale, open-necked shirt – as saying he was being treated well. The hostage also said the Egyptian mission in Baghdad was not cooperating with the US-led multinational force and is only trying to help the reconstruction of Iraq.

A producer said the station received the tape today from its bureau in Baghdad. He said the kidnappers did not make any demands in the five-minute tape.

Egypt has offered to train Iraqi police and security personnel in Egypt, but it has declined to deploy military forces in Iraq.

Egypt and Iraq have diplomatic missions in each other’s capitals as they have not restored relations to ambassadorial level.