Iraq envoy killed by Al Qaeda, Egypt confirms

The Egyptian Government on Thursday confirmed the death of its envoy in Baghdad, abducted near his house last Saturday. He had been in the c...

The Egyptian Government on Thursday confirmed the death of its envoy in Baghdad, abducted near his house last Saturday. He had been in the country for a month.

‘‘The Presidency expresses regret at the passing of Ihab el-Sharif, who lost his life at the hands of a terrorism that trades in Islam,’’ an Egyptian Presidency statement said. It was carried by the state news agency MENA.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the killing would not deter Egypt from its commitment to the people of Iraq.

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On Thursday, the Al Qaeda Group in Iraq said it killed Egypt’s top envoy to Iraq for representing a ‘‘tyrannical’’ government allied to ‘‘Jews and crusaders’’.

‘‘We, the Al Qaeda in Iraq, announce that the judgement of God has been implemented against the ambassador of the infidels, the Ambassador of Egypt. Oh enemy of God, Ihab el-Sherif, this is your punishment in this life,’’ said the group in an Internet statement posted on an Islamist website.

The group, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, posted a video showing the hostage speaking, but they did not show the actual killing.

On the video, Sherif appeared blindfolded. He identified himself by name and said that he was the head of the Egyptian mission in Iraq with ambassadorial rank in Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.

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‘‘Previously… I was deputy to the Egyptian Ambassador to Israel,’’ Sherif said in the video in which he appeared alone, without militants.

The Al Qaeda Organisation for Holy War in Iraq said it would later provide details of Sherif’s interrogation. ‘‘The ambassador of the infidels gave information that showed the infidelity of his regime and its allegiance to the Jews and Christians. His confessions were taped,’’ said the statement.

The Sunni Muslim group said on Wednesday that Egypt, a key US ally and the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel, was one of the first countries to have waged war against Muslims.