Egyptian diplomat's assassination widely condemned

The assassination of head of Egypt's diplomatic mission in Iraq Ihab el-Sherif was strongly condemned by several Islamic, Egyptian, Arab and African parties and personalities.

It was condemned by Mufti of the Republic Ali Gomaa who, in his Friday sermon, described Sherif as a martyr.

He, however, branded the killers as rabble and ignoble.

Also, the community of Moslems in Italy and the Islamic cultural centre in Rome strongly denounced the killing of Sherif.

In a statement, the union of Islamic communities in Italy - made up of 40 official Islamic communities - described the murder of an unarmed Arab and Muslim diplomat as barbaric.

The statement stressed that Islam had always been against killing innocents. To kidnap and murder is further against all religions, according to the statement.

It reiterated that the killing of an innocent was totally prohibited by Islam and one of the major sins according to Sharia (Islamic law).

For its part, Italy officially expressed its full rejection and strong condemnation of the assassination of the Egyptian envoy to Iraq.

In a cable from Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini to his counterpart Ahmed Abul-Gheit, Fini expressed heartfelt condolences to the Egyptian government and people as well as to the family of the deceased.

In Egypt, the People's Assembly Arab Affairs Committee denounced what they termed a heinous crime.

Also, the Shura Council (upper house of parliament) condemned the killing and said it was unjustifiable and against international law and charters.

The African Union (AU) denounced the murder and called for solidarity in the face of terrorism.

Chief Palestinian delegate to the Arab League Ambassador Mohamed Sobeih regretted and condemned the killing of Sherif who served the Egyptian and Arab peoples.

In statements to MENA, Sobeih said the message of a diplomat is like that of a soldier defending the motherland.

The killing of Sherif flies in the face of the principles of Islam and does harm to the image of Arab and Muslim nations, Sobeih reiterated.

In Lebanon, Mufti Sheikh Mohamed Rashid Qabbani condemned Sherif's assassination and branded it a despicable crime that did not serve Iraq's unity.