The Egyptian owner of a mobile phone network in Iraq said he was convinced that Egypt's top envoy, believed slain by his abductors, is most likely alive, because of information he has obtained.
The government said it had no indications he was still alive.
Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris told The AP that he shared this information with the Egyptian government, but refused to say what it was or where he got it from.
Ihab al-Sherif is believed to have been killed after al-Qaeda in Iraq led by Jordanian mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed on July 7 that it murdered him because Egypt intended to restore full diplomatic relations as a sign of support for Iraq's new government.
"We have information suggesting that the Egyptian ambassador is still alive and has not been killed," Sawiris told the pro-government al-Gomhouria newspaper, in remarks published last Wednesday that were later confirmed by The AP.
Soon after al-Zarqawi's group announced his slaying, the Egyptian government said it had confirmed al-Sherif's death from several sources in Iraq.
Still, no body has been found.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, asked about reports al-Sherif might still be alive, said last Wednesday he had no such information.
About material evidence of his death, Aboul Gheit said, "We have no leads in this direction.
"When an Egyptian diplomat or citizen is kidnapped, it is important to be careful in handling the issue, so that any comments would not result in harm," Aboul Gheit told reporters.
Still, Aboul Gheit told parliament last Tuesday that there was a "slim hope" that al-Sherif was still alive, the independent daily Al-Masri al-Youm reported.
The Egyptian owner of a mobile phone network in Iraq said he was convinced that Egypt's top envoy, believed slain by his abductors, is most likely alive, because of information he has obtained.
The government said it had no indications he was still alive.
Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris told The AP that he shared this information with the Egyptian government, but refused to say what it was or where he got it from.
Ihab al-Sherif is believed to have been killed after al-Qaeda in Iraq led by Jordanian mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed on July 7 that it murdered him because Egypt intended to restore full diplomatic relations as a sign of support for Iraq's new government.
"We have information suggesting that the Egyptian ambassador is still alive and has not been killed," Sawiris told the pro-government al-Gomhouria newspaper, in remarks published last Wednesday that were later confirmed by The AP.
Soon after al-Zarqawi's group announced his slaying, the Egyptian government said it had confirmed al-Sherif's death from several sources in Iraq.
Still, no body has been found.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, asked about reports al-Sherif might still be alive, said last Wednesday he had no such information.
About material evidence of his death, Aboul Gheit said, "We have no leads in this direction.
"When an Egyptian diplomat or citizen is kidnapped, it is important to be careful in handling the issue, so that any comments would not result in harm," Aboul Gheit told reporters.
Still, Aboul Gheit told parliament last Tuesday that there was a "slim hope" that al-Sherif was still alive, the independent daily Al-Masri al-Youm reported.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
