- (AFP) -- Mosul governor Ussama Kachmula and two of his
bodyguards have been gunned down by four attackers while travelling from
the northern Iraqi city to Baghdad, a spokesman said.
-
- In an exchange of fire after Mr Kachmula's convoy was
ambushed, the four assailants were also shot dead, governor spokesman Hazem
Jalawi told AFP.
-
- "Four attackers in a car opened fire with automatic
weapons on the governor's convoy, killing him and two of his bodyguards,"
Mr Jalawi said.
-
- "Other guards shot back, slaughtering the assailants,"
he said, adding that the ambush took place at about 5:30pm local time.
-
- The governor and the dead bodyguards were taken to a
hospital in the nearby city of Baiji, some 300 kilometres north of Baghdad.
-
- A violent insurgency that flared up during the US-led
occupation has mercilessly attacked key symbols of Iraq's interim Government
such as its police force, soldiers and community leaders.
-
- Despite the huge risks involved in becoming a prominent
face in Iraq, Mr Kachmula took the job of governor after it was turned
down by another senior figure in the restive city.
-
- © 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200407/s1154177.htm
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