An Egyptian diplomat has been abducted by Palestinian gunmen in Gaza City, reports say.
The Egyptian mission in Gaza City is heavily guarded
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According to the reports, the diplomat was on his way to
his office when masked gunmen surrounded his car and forced him into
another vehicle.
Foreigners are frequently kidnapped by gunmen in Gaza, a mark of the area's instability and lawlessness.
Generally, the hostages are held for a short time to press the authorities for money, jobs or prisoner releases.
The Egyptian representative's office in Gaza identified the diplomat as Hussam al-Mawsili, who serves as military attache.
Witnesses said the gunmen forced Mr Mawsili's car to stop by shooting at its tyres and bonnet.
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Those who carry out such acts are seeking to hurt our people and damage relations with Egypt
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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he had instructed
security services to act "immediately to arrest those responsible and
bring them to justice".
"We will not allow anyone to damage brotherly relations between Palestine and Egypt," he said.
Diplomatic mission
The incident happened in the Rimal district in the
centre of Gaza City, about 200 metres from his office, which is heavily
guarded.
Police erected barricades along Gaza's main
thoroughfares and searched cars for Mr Mawsili - the first diplomat to
be seized in the spate of kidnappings.
Egyptian officials have been operating in Gaza Strip for
several months with the aim of reorganising Palestinian security forces
following Israel's withdrawal last year.
Egypt generally has good relations with armed factions in the Palestinian territories.
There has been an escalation of tension among groups
loyal to the mainstream Fatah faction after the victory of the Islamic
resistance movement Hamas in recent parliamentary elections.
A Hamas spokesman has also condemned the kidnapping.
"Those who carry out such acts are seeking to hurt our
people and damage distinguished relations that link the Egyptian and
Palestinian people," Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP news agency. | 
