Kidnappers release Egyptian diplomat

Kidnappers in Iraq have released an Egyptian diplomat, according to the al-Jazeera news channel.

Mohamed Mamdouh Kotb thanked those who helped get him released.

According to al-Jazeera, the kidnappers, who called themselves the Lions of Allah, released Kotb because of his faith and morals. They had even refused offers of money when they released him, they told the news channel.

The kidnappers had also apparently concluded that Egypt had no intention to send troops to Iraq though Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif had earlier offered the Iraqi government his country's security expertise.

An Egyptian official Thursday had said his country was willing to assist Iraq, but that it first needed to see the Iraqis restore calm themselves. The Egyptian government appears to have changed its mind after the kidnapping.