The group Al Qaeda in Iraq said today that it had executed the top Egyptian diplomat there, carrying out a threat to pursue diplomats in retaliation for their links to the new Iraq government.

The group said in a statement posted on the Internet that it had killed the envoy, Ihab al-Sharif, but it did not say when or how. The group announced "that the verdict of God has been implemented against the ambassador of the infidels, the ambassador of Egypt, thank God."

"Egypt is one of those at the forefront of the war on Islam and Muslims," the statement said. "Its jails are full of mujahedeen." It showed a video of the blindfolded diplomat identifying himself but, unlike in cases of other kidnappings, it did not show the killing itself, according to The Associated Press.

It also said that Egypt was among the first to support the training of the Iraqi police and soldiers - whom it referred to as "apostate" forces - in service to the "crusaders."