BBC
Egypt has asked for an explanation after Iraqi officials reportedly said that the assassinated Egyptian envoy had been in touch with militants.
The suggestions that Ihab al-Sherif had contacted rebels before his abduction and killing "astonished" Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
An Iraqi spokesperson had reportedly said the fact that Sherif left home without guards suggested such contacts.
Iraq separately called for urgent Arab talks on how to combat terrorism.
In a phone call to express his condolences to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak over the envoy's death, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said terrorism had become a problem for most countries in the region.
He also condemned the "barbaric" killing of Sherif, who was abducted by a group identifying itself as al-Qaeda in Iraq, the feared organisation led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Sherif's abduction a week ago, and death shortly afterwards, has angered many Egyptians who believe he was sent on a dangerous posting to please the United States.
Mr Gheit said now was the time to concentrate on catching the envoy's killers and to respect the feelings of the Egyptian people.
A statement from his ministry suggested that Iraqi remarks about Sherif may have been an attempt to "avoid responsibility... and justify a tragedy".
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