Iran on Friday condemned the murder of an Egyptian diplomat in Iraq, terming it as "brutal killing," the official IRNA news agency reported.

"The kidnapping and killing of the Egyptian envoy was a striking example of terrorism. We call on Iraqi groups to make further efforts for the establishment of security and stability in the region," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi was quoted as saying.

"Iraqi groups should know that such measures are not to the advantage of Iraqi people," Asefi said.

He also expressed his "profound sympathy" with the Egyptian government and bereaved family.

Egypt's Ambassador-designate to Baghdad Ihab el-Sharif was kidnapped near his home in Baghdad on Saturday. The Al-Qaida in Iraq announced his death Thursday in an Internet statement.

Source: Xinhua