Posted on 07/07/2005 9:22:47 AM PDT by kellynla
Al-Qaida in Iraq said in a web posting today that it had killed Egypt’s top envoy in Iraq, showing a video of the blindfolded diplomat identifying himself. The video did not show his death.
A statement purportedly from al-Qaida said it delayed claiming responsibility for the Saturday abduction of Ihab al-Sherif “to be able to capture as many ambassadors as we can”.
The claim of responsibility was posted on Tuesday following kidnap attempts against top diplomats from Pakistan and Bahrain in a campaign to isolate Iraq’s US-backed government in the Arab and Muslim world.
“We announce in the name of al-Qaida in Iraq that the verdict of God against the ambassador of the infidels, the ambassador of Egypt, has been carried out. Thank God,” a written statement in the web posting said.
The video showed al-Sherif blindfolded and wearing a polo shirt. He identified himself as the head of Egypt’s mission in Iraq and said he worked previously in Israel, where Egypt maintains an embassy.
However, the tape did not show al-Sherif’s death. Previous al-Qaida tapes did show hooded men killing their captives.
If the claim to have assassinated al-Sherif is true, it would mark a dramatic escalation in a campaign to discourage Arab and Muslim governments from sending ambassadors and strengthening ties with Iraq, as Washington wants. Iraqi officials have called on other countries to stay the course and keep their diplomats in Baghdad.
Laith Kubba, spokesman for Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, referred to explosions against transport facilities in London today, adding this “confirms that terrorism in not only targeting Iraqis but everyone”.
Al-Sherif, 51, was seized in a western Baghdad neighbourhood as he stopped to buy a newspaper, witnesses said. He was not accompanied by any security.
(Excerpt) Read more at irishnews.com ...
Mubarak should send an army division to take care of business. I'm sure we'll be happy to take care of transportation.
Mubarak is no Sadat and I doubt if he has the cojones of his predecessor.
Film at 11:00 .
Al Qaeda's proud of that, are they?
Great PR moves. First illegally kidnap and kill a diplomat, then bomb civilians in London. I feel the tide may be turning against these war criminals.
Let us hope so; this seems to be all out war as the terrorists strike anywhere and everywhere.
I hope Boxer, Feinstein, Kennedy, Leahy, Pelosi, Kerry, etc. are shut up if not they should be locked up!
I haven't heard or read statements from the usual suspects. Have they (dems) made any?
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