Date:27/07/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/27/stories/2004072715410100.htm

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`Diplomat released'

BAGHDAD, JULY 26. An Egyptian diplomat held hostage by militants in Iraq for three days was released today and was in good condition, Egyptian diplomats said. Mohammed Mamdouh Helmi Qutb, the third highest-ranking diplomat at the Egyptian mission here, was abducted on Friday as he was leaving a mosque. Militants said they had taken him to deter Egypt from sending security experts to the new Iraqi Government. — AP