Al-Qaeda threatens to kill ambassador

cctv.com 07-07-2005 09:36

The branch of Al-Qaeda in Iraq has threatened to kill Egypt's top diplomat to Baghdad on religious grounds. It says Egypt has allied with Jews and Christians. Insurgents have been targeting diplomats from Islamic countries to discourage cooperation with the US-backed Iraqi governmen

Al-Qaeda in Iraq says Ihab al-Sherif is guilty of apostasy, or changing religion. Under Islam, this is punishable by death. The Internet statement says their Sharia court will hand him over to mujahedeen fighters for punishment.

Earlier, the same web site posted pictures of al-Sherif’s identification cards. It's the first evidence by al-Qaeda in Iraq to support claims they are holding the 51-year-old envoy.

Since al-Sherif was taken captive last week, diplomats from Pakistan and Bahrain have been ambushed in suspected kidnap attempts.

Pakistan recalled its ambassador for security reasons. Mohammed Younis Khan is now in neighboring Jordan.

A senior aide to radical Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr visited Bahrain's diplomatic mission in Baghdad. He said the attacks against Arab envoys are to destroy Iraq's rebuilding efforts, and to force embassies to withdraw.

Editor:Wang Ping  Source:CCTV.com