Egyptian diplomat released in Iraq
 |  A videotape of masked militants surrounding Momdoh Kotb was aired Friday on the Arabic language network Al-Jazeera. |
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 Iraqis kidnapped in their homeland are usually targeted for financial gain.
 Iraqi soldiers, backed by U.S. forces, kill 13 insurgents.
 More hostages seized as fighting rages in Ramadi and elsewhere.
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BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Captors in Iraq released an Egyptian diplomat Monday after declining a large ransom and citing his polite and spiritual personality as the reason for his liberation.
The Lion of God Brigades snatched Momdoh Kotb last Thursday as he was leaving a mosque. The abductors did not make any demands, but stated his kidnapping was a response to Egypt's offer to help in security matters in Iraq.
Monday afternoon, acting Egyptian Ambassador Karim Sharaf announced that Kotb arrived at the Egyptian Embassy in Baghdad at approximately 11 p.m. (3 p.m. ET).
Kotb's kidnapping was a part of a recent rash of abductions. A previously unknown militant group announced it was holding two Pakistanis and an Iraqi as hostages, a videotape broadcast Monday on Arabic language network Al-Jazeera showed. (Full story)
Another group, calling itself the Mujahedeen Corps, said it had captured two Jordanians and threatened to kill them if their company, Rami al-Ouweiss, did not stop working with the U.S. military.
Associated Press Television News aired the video of the militants and the Jordanians.
Kidnappers holding seven truck drivers captive again extended their deadline as negotiators worked to win their release, according to a videotape on Al-Jazeera.
The video showed the truck drivers seated in front of three masked gunmen. On the wall behind them was a banner reading, "Islamic Secret Army, Black Banners Brigades."
In announcing the deadline extension, the group demanded the truckers' employer, Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL), cease operations in the country and warned the Indian government to stop its "irresponsible attack[s]" on the kidnappers. The hostages include three Indians and three Kenyans.
It was uncertain when the extension began and how long it was scheduled to last. The kidnappers have threatened to kill the truckers. KGL is involved in the hostage negotiations.
The kidnappings are part of a wave of abductions by insurgents since the release of a Filipino hostage when the Philippines agreed to a demand to remove from Iraq its small troop contingent a month ahead of schedule.
The week began with a lethal series of shootings and a car bomb leaving eight victims and a suicide bomber dead, officials said.
Among the eight killed Monday were a yet to be identified official with the Iraq's Interior Ministry, two government bodyguards, two women who worked for a security company, two Iraqi civilians and a member of the Iraqi security forces, a U.S. military spokesman said.
The car used in the bombing was loaded with 122 mm rockets and 60 mm mortars, Sgt. Joseph Sanchez said, but not all of them detonated in the explosion. U.S. explosive ordnance responded to the scene to dispose of the unexploded munitions.
Weapons cache found
In other develoments, authorities in Baghdad have uncovered a massive weapons cache -- including mortar rounds, rocket launchers and anti-tank mines -- inside a suspected safe house.
More than 100 Baghdad Emergency Police and officers from Iraq's Major Crimes Unit displayed for a CNN crew weapons they said were recovered during an operation that took place around 7:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m. ET).
Iraqi authorities did not say how they learned of the weapons stash.
Interim Iraqi Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib arrived at the site unexpectedly and inspected the amassed weaponry.
He immediately ordered an investigation into why neighbors did not report the alleged transport of truckloads of weapons into the safe house.
The home, which authorities believe was used by "Jaish al Tawhid," or "The Army of Unity of God," is located in Hay al Amil, a neighborhood in southwest Baghdad.
Police said the weapons included: at least 100 mortar rounds (82mm and 60mm), rocket propelled grenades, sniper rifles and ammunition, hand-made wooden rocket launchers, TNT, dozens of anti-tank mines, Katyusha rockets, gas masks and medical equipment.
