Yesterday Egypt revealed the name of the new Ambassador to Iraq, following its decision to restore its diplomatic mission to Baghdad after nearly four years of the withdrawal of the Mission following the martyrdom of Ihab Al-Sharif, the former Ambassador there after his kidnapping. A Presidential decree was issued declaring the appointment of Ambassador Sharif Kamal Shahin, Egypt's Ambassador to Iraq. Hossam Zaki, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced that the resolution signed by the President of the Republic appointed Shahin, Egypt's current Ambassador to Zambia, as Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Iraq.
The official spokesman pointed out that the new Ambassador has worked at several embassies abroad, including Morocco, Tokyo, Athens and Beirut. He has served in several departments of the ministry's General Office and has over twenty-seven years of considerable experience in diplomatic work. According to diplomatic sources who spoke to Al-Masry Al-Youm, the decision to restore Egypt's diplomatic mission to Baghdad was due to the current state of security and stability in Iraq. The sources pointed out that this matter was discussed during the visit of the Iraqi Defense Minister to Cairo recently, and with a number of senior US officials. This comes within Egyptian and Arab preparations for post-American withdrawal from Iraq. The sources also described the new Ambassador to Baghdad as "efficient" and able to bear the burden of work in a troubled and divided country.
