Iraq bid to mend rift with Egypt (Iraqi claimed dead envoy rebel contacts)

[Monkie]

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/ACB01DA8-F4B9-4F7F-999F-50D66C363853.htm

"Egypt's top envoy did not make any illegal or inappropriate contacts with anti-US fighters in Baghdad, Iraq's foreign minister has said, in another attempt by the government to soothe relations between the two countries.

The new statement on Monday came as Iraq and Egypt tried to mend a rift that erupted after Iraq's government spokesman claimed slain envoy Ihab al-Sherif travelled without security and may have been meeting Iraqi fighters before his Baghdad kidnapping on 2 July.

On Saturday, Egypt had demanded an explanation from Iraq. "We do not think that the late martyr (al-Sherif) has made any illegal or inappropriate contacts in Baghdad," Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said."