Iraq urged foreign nations Friday to defy al-Qaeda's "blackmail" and keep their diplomats in Baghdad despite the execution of Egypt's top envoy and threats against those who support the U.S.-backed administration. In this regard, a U.S. commander acknowledged more needs to be done to protect foreign diplomats and "we've got to do something very quickly." Iraqi authorities have become concerned about a possible diplomat flight from Baghdad after the killing of Dr. Ihab al Sherif on Thursday. Egypt has temporarily closed its mission in Iraq and recalled its staff.
Pakistani Ambassador Mohammed Younis Khan left Iraq Wednesday after his convoy was hit during a kidnap attempt. Bahrain's top envoy, Hassan Malallah al-Ansari, was expected to leave soon after he was slightly injured in a similar attempt.
Elsewhere, one American soldier was killed and six were injured in separate attacks north and south of the Iraqi capital.
At the G-8 summit which was concluded in Scotland, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said his government would start withdrawing about 300 troops from Iraq in September -- subject to security conditions at the time.
Berlusconi denied that his withdrawal plan was linked to any terrorist threats, adding that Italy "must come to a point where it must guarantee its own security."
