Egypt to sustain efforts to secure hostage's release

CAIRO, July 27 (AFP) - Egypt said Tuesday it will continue efforts to secure the release of the Egyptian citizen still held hostage in Iraq as it thanked all those who helped win the freedom of a top Egyptian diplomat in Baghdad.
Presidential spokesman Maged Abul Fatah told reporters that "Egyptian efforts will continue to help secure the release of truck driver Mohamed Ali Sanad", saying that contacts were ongoing with all "sides, institutions and countries" to bring about the safe release of the hostage.
Abul Fatah also thanked all who helped secure the release of Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Mamdouh Kotb, the third-ranking official at the mission in Baghdad, including religious scholars, tribal leaders, government officials, foreign countries and Egyptian diplomats.
Kotb was freed late Monday after being held for the three days by Islamist militants in Iraq.