Egypt's ambassador to Iraq Ihab el-Sherif, abducted in Baghdad at the weekend, has been murdered, the office of the Egyptian president has confirmed.
Earlier, the Al-Qaeda group in Iraq admitted in an Internet statement that it was responsible for the murder.
The group claimed el-Sherif represented a 'tyrannical' government allied to the 'Jews and Crusaders'.
'We al-Qaeda in Iraq announce that the judgement of God has been implemented against the ambassador of the infidels, the ambassador of Egypt. Oh enemy of God, Ihab el-Sherif, this is your punishment in this life,' said the group, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
The group posted a video showing the hostage speaking but did not show the actual killing. On the video, Sherif appeared blindfolded.
He identified himself by name and said he was the head of the Egyptian mission in Iraq and also carried the rank of ambassador at the Egyptian foreign ministry.
Pentagon confirms five US citizens held
The Pentagon has said the US military in Iraq is detaining five American citizens on suspicion of possible insurgent or other criminal activity.
All of the five are being held without charges or access to lawyers.
Three have dual Iraqi citizenship, one dual Iranian citizenship and a fifth man, arrested late last year in Iraq, has dual Jordanian citizenship.
Of the four arrested this year, one was taken into custody in April, two in May and another in June. A US Defence Department spokesman declined to identify the five.
