The UN Security Council on Friday strongly condemned the assassination of the Egyptian diplomat in Iraq.

In a presidential statement read out by president for the month, Adamantios Vassilakis of Greece, the Council condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the assassination of Ihab al-Sherif, the charge d'affaires of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Iraq.

The Council also expressed its condolences to the family of the victim and to the government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and underlined the need to bring to justice the perpetrators, Vassilakis said.

The Council condemned all terrorist attacks in Iraq, including the attempted assassinations of diplomats from Bahrain and Pakistan and other civilian personnel, Vassilakis stressed.

"There can be no justification for such terrorist acts," the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Council reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Iraqi people in their political transition, and called upon the international community to stand by the Iraqi people in their pursuit of peace, stability and democracy.

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.

Source: Xinhua