GAZA, Feb. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- An abducted Egyptian diplomat was released by his captors early Saturday, two days after he was abducted in Gaza City.

    Media reports, citing Egyptian diplomatic officials, said Egypt's military attache to the Palestinian Authority Hussam Almousaly was unharmed and already returned to his home in Gaza City.

    A Palestinian group, the "Al Ahrar Brigades," claimed responsibility for the kidnapping on Friday.

    The group issued a statement saying that the reason for its kidnapping of the diplomat is to press its demand for releasing Palestinian prisoners held by Egypt, warning of "unfortunate consequences" if the prisoners were not released within 48 hours.

    More than 80 Palestinians are in prison due to weapons smuggling or illegally entering Egypt, Egyptian security officials in Sinai said.

    The Egyptian diplomats said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry would release a formal statement later Saturday.

    The Egypt's military attache, who was the first foreign diplomat abducted in the Palestinian territories, was kidnapped by gunmen from his car in Gaza City on Thursday. Enditem