Iraq urged fellow Arab and Muslim states on Friday to send ambassadors to Baghdad in defiance of attacks by al-Qaida insurgents, who killed Egypt's kidnapped envoy and have threatened other diplomats.

"The criminals wanted by this act to terrorize Arab and Islamic countries and deter them from upgrading their diplomatic missions in Iraq," Iraqi Foreign Ministry said.

"Arab and Islamic countries are asked to prove their seriousness in combating terrorism and send their ambassadors to Baghdad so they send the right message to the terrorists."

Iraq's president promised top security for diplomats and Interior Minister Bayan Jabor, who has chided envoys for travelling without protection, said Iraqi armed escorts were always available.

Police were hunting the killers of Egyptian envoy Ihab el- Sherif, a day after Cairo confirmed his death at the hands of al-Qaida kidnappers.

"Our investigations are continuing," a senior Interior Ministry official said. The Islamist militants posted a video showing Sherif speaking but not his killing.

The Iraqi Government has described the abduction and killing of Sherif, as well as at least two other attacks on senior diplomats in the capital this week, as part of attempts by insurgents to isolate the new government.

Former PM asks for roadmap

Meanwhile, former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi urged the United States to come up with a roadmap to end the ongoing crisis in Iraq, warning that the situation could impact neighbouring countries.

Since coming a distant third in the January 30 elections Allawi has spent most of his time travelling abroad, visiting the United States, Britain, Egypt and other Mideast countries to discuss the "dangerous situation in Iraq," he said in comments published on Thursday.

Allawi told local reporters that "if the situation continues to deteriorate, the concept of national unity will weaken. This will have a great impact on Iraq and will move to the neighbouring countries, Europe and America," he said.

He said the new constitution and elections expected in December were steps to prevent the political and security situations in Iraq from completely deteriorating.

Allawi said he discussed the matter of a roadmap with US President George W. Bush and other world leaders, urging them to put "plans and programmes in place to end this situation."

He also called for intensifying dialogue with some groups in Iraq whom he preferred to call "opposition and not resistance."

"Those who are called terrorists must be isolated because they cause the killing of innocent citizens, they are either takfiri and salafist groups or Saddam's followers," he said. Takfiri groups are those who call for the killing of infidels.

Iraq's army was dissolved after the fall of Baghdad, and most of the former soldiers are believed to be part of the wider insurgency launching attacks against Iraqi civilians, police, and coalition troops.

"As for the military people who were harmed, we must study their situation, their needs and try to solve their problems," Allawi said. "But if they want to bring Saddam Hussein back to rule, they need to know Saddam has gone forever."

Source: China Daily