Egyptian envoy’s life threatened

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Kidnappers linked to al Qaeda’s branch in Iraq threatened Wednesday to kill Egypt’s top envoy here, as Iraq’s prime minister called on other countries to stay the course and keep their diplomats in Baghdad.

But with three attacks on diplomats in four days, at least some Arab and Muslim governments were raising questions about security as a condition for upgrading ties to the new Iraqi government, as the United States wants.

The threat to kill Ihab al-Sherif, seized by gunmen in western Baghdad on Saturday, marks a dramatic escalation in a campaign to isolate Iraq diplomatically in the Arab and Muslim worlds. On Tuesday, gunmen fired on senior envoys from Bahrain and Pakistan in apparent kidnap attempts.

“Terrorism is trying to strike not only against Iraqis,” Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said. “We hope that all countries of the world will stand by us, strengthen the democratic work and carry out political functions, keeping in mind the security regulations.”

Also Wednesday in Iraq:

“ Two car bombs exploded in Jbala, 45 miles south of Baghdad, killing 11 people and wounding 19, police said.

“ Gunmen killed four policemen and wounded at least nine more in separate attacks in Baghdad.

“ The military said a Fort Riley-based soldier from Seattle was killed when a bomb exploded near his patrol. Spc. Christopher W. Dickison, 26, died Tuesday in Baqubah. He was assigned to the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Infantry Division.