Abul-Gheit comments to parliament on Sherif's murder
Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 7/21/2005

Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul- Gheit said uncovering the circumstances surrounding the murder of the head of Egypt's diplomatic mission in Iraq Ihab El-Sherif would only take place after the arrest of the assassins.

Addressing the People's Assembly Defence and National Security Committee on Tuesday, Abul -Gheit said the criminals who perpetrated the crime belonged to cluster organizations and small groups with no links and that it was difficult to trace them down. He said that Egypt was holding contacts with influential parties such as the American and Iraqi troops and security agencies to locate Sherif's body and bury him in a respectful ceremony he deserved as a martyr.

Abul -Gheit denied reports that Egypt has upgraded diplomatic representation in Iraq.

He said that Sherif was kidnapped on July 2, adding that the Foreign Ministry knew of his abduction 18 hours later and after news agencies reports on the kidnapping.

He said his ministry kept the news secret in order not to provoke the kidnappers and to give security agencies a chance to play their role.

Abul-Gheit denied reports that Sherif was sent to Iraq in response to a request by the United States, pointing out that the slain ambassador was chosen because he was fully aware of Iraq's conditions.

The Foreign Minister confirmed that Sherif had made his own decision on going to Iraq and that nobody forced him to go.

He pointed to the Arab resolutions on increasing the Arab presence in Iraq, the latest of which the resolution issued during the Arab summit in Algeria.

The Foreign Minister alluded to the Iraqi statements after Sherif's murder, describing them as provocative, saying that the Foreign Ministry responded to them.

For unknown reasons, Sherif refused during the day of abduction to be escorted by guards although he had six Egyptian well-trained guards and a number of Iraqi guards at his disposal, said Abul -Gheit.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian diplomatic mission leaves Baghdad   (7/16/2005)
  Suspected killer of Egyptian ambassador arrested   (7/15/2005)
  Tantawi urges Iraqis to stand united   (7/13/2005)

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