Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television aired a videotape Friday from an Iraqi group which claimed to have kidnapped an Egyptian diplomat.
The diplomat, identified as Mohammed Mamdouh Hilmi Quttab, was shown seated in front of six masked kidnappers.
The group, which called itself the Lions of Allah Brigade, said it had abducted him because the Egyptian government said it was ready to deploy security experts to help the interim government in Iraq.
The group made no specific threat against the diplomat.
Meanwhile, a Kuwaiti transport company said Friday it held contacts to secure the release of seven employees in Iraq threatened with beheading by kidnappers, but would not meet their demands to quit the occupied country, Reuters reported.
"We will not withdraw operations from Iraq. Our company will continue, but there are negotiations at high levels with diplomatic and security involvement," said Saeed Dashti, chairman of the Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company.
The kidnappers have threatened to start beheading the drivers, three Indians, three Kenyans and an Egyptian, from Saturday unless the company pulls out. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
