Related stories: Egyptian presidency confirms death of diplomat in Iraq

                      Egypt grieved over death of diplomat in Iraq 

   BAGHDAD, July 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Iraq's al-Qaida group killed Egypt's top envoy to Baghdad Ihab el-Sharif on Thursday, four days after he was kidnapped by the group in Baghdad, according to a videotape posted on an Islamic web site.

A video grab Egypt's envoy to Iraq Ihab el-Sherif at is shown speaking while blindfolded at an unknown location in Iraq in a video released July 7. (Reuters)

   "We in al-Qaida Organization for Holy War in Iraq announce that the judgment of God has been carried out against the ambassador of infidels, ambassador of Egypt," said the group led by the most wanted man in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

   The videotape did not show the execution of el-Sharif, who identified himself as the head of the interests section in Iraq and said he worked previously as an employee in the Egyptian embassy in Israel.

   The authenticity of the videotape could not be immediately verified.

   The al-Qaida wing in Iraq said in an Internet statement on Wednesday that it would kill el-Sharif for being convicted of apostasy.

A video grab taken from the Al-Arabiya television network shows Ihab al-Sharif. (AFP)

   It added that the religious court of al-Qaida had decided to hand over el-Sharif to its fighters "to carry out the punishment of apostasy", referring to the death penalty.

   Earlier the group posted web pictures of identification cards of the Egyptian envoy as proof it had kidnapped him.

   The militant group, which claimed responsibility on Tuesday for kidnapping el-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. Enditem