Troops comb Baghdad for envoy

2005-07-04 13:24

Sam Dagher

Baghdad - Iraqi and US troops combed suspected insurgent hideouts in west Baghdad on Monday after Egypt's ambassador designate became the first foreign head of mission kidnapped in the 15-month-old hostage crisis.

The US military meanwhile announced the arrest of a Tunisian suspected of bringing more than 100 suicide bombers into Iraq on behalf of Al-Qaeda.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the abduction of Ihab al-Sharif, who was set to become the first Arab ambassador to Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in March 2003.

The Egyptian government appealed for the swift release of the 51-year-old father of two.

Restive

US and Iraqi soldiers scoured the restive districts west of the airport, including the Al-Jamiaa neighbourhood where Sharif was abducted.

"Soldiers are conducting offensive operations against terrorist safe havens on the west side of Baghdad International Airport," said Sergeant David Abrams of the US military.

"I will not speculate whether this is linked to the kidnapping of the ambassador because this operation is still ongoing."

He said several suspects had been detained so far but declined to give details. Three Iraqis were killed and three wounded in two roadside bombing in west and south Baghdad, the interior ministry said.

Credentials

Sharif had been named ambassador on June 1 but had yet to formally present his credentials.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit appealed to Sharif's captors not to harm him.

"Ambassador Ihab al-Sharif always worked to serve the Iraqi people and promote good Egyptian-Iraqi relations," he told reporters on the sidelines of an African summit in Libya.

"We hope he is released shortly, God willing, so he can continue his good and dedicated work.

"We expect him to be well treated for the Iraqi people are true Muslims."

- SAPA