To proceed with investigation

Israel urged Argentine authorities on Monday to carry on with the work of a prosecutor who was found dead after having alleged a cover-up in the investigation of Iran over the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center.

Alberto Nisman had accused President Cristina Fernandez of having opened a secret back channel to a group of Iranians suspected of planting the bomb, with a view to clearing them so Argentina might trade grains for much-need oil from Iran.

Argentina's cabinet chief rejected the charge as "absurd".

Nisman's body was discovered in his apartment, a handgun nearby, hours before he was due to explain his allegations at the Argentine parliament on Monday, authorities said. A formal ruling on the cause of his death is pending.

Israel's Foreign Ministry mourned Nisman's death "in tragic circumstances", a Hebrew term that sometimes alludes to suicide.

Argentine prosecutor who accused president of whitewashing Iran link to AMIA bombing found dead