Egyptian presidency confirms death of diplomat in Iraq

The Egyptian presidency on Thursday confirmed the death of head of the Egyptian diplomatic mission in Iraq, Ambassador Ihab el-Sharif, the official MENA news agency reported.

President Hosni Mubarak said late el-Sharif has lost his life to terrorism that has no religion or homeland, expressing condolence to Sharif's family.

Mubarak said Sharif's killing was an act of terror that would not dissuade Egypt from maintaining its supportive stances of the Iraqi people.

Iraq's al-Qaida group killed Sharif on Thursday, four days after he was kidnapped by the group in Baghdad, according to a videotape posted on an Islamic website.

The militant group, which claimed responsibility on Tuesday for kidnapping Sharif in Baghdad, has in the past beheaded foreign captives.

Last month, Egypt became the first Arab country to respond to a US call for upgrading diplomatic missions in Baghdad.

Sharif was kidnapped by a group of gunmen on Saturday near the Egyptian consulate in al-Rabie Street in western Baghdad, only several weeks after he was named ambassador to Iraq.

Source: Xinhua