Egyptian diplomat taken hostage

[GreenPartyVoter]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Militants in Iraq displayed eight hostages -- seven truck drivers and the third-highest Egyptian diplomat in Iraq -- on videotape broadcast Friday by the Arabic-language TV network Al-Jazeera.

Masked men calling themselves the Lion of God Brigades surrounded Momdoh Kotb.

The previously unknown group said it took the diplomat hostage in response to Egypt's offer to help Iraq with security.

The Egyptian Embassy in Baghdad confirmed Kotb's identity, and a spokesman said the embassy was in "shock" over the incident.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/07/23/iraq.main/index.html