Pakistani diplomat attacked in Iraq
Iraq, Local, 7/6/2005

A procession carrying the Pakistani diplomat to Iraq was exposed to an armed attack in Baghdad. It is the second attack of its kind which targeted a prominent diplomat within hours and the third within three days.

Iraqi police sources said that two cars carrying gunmen opened fire at the procession of the diplomat in al-Mansour quarters in the center of Baghdad, and they ran quickly after the guards retaliated with fire. No casualties were reported.

Earlier in the day, gunmen attacked the chairman of Bahrain's mission in Iraq, Hassan Malullah al-Insari.

Witnesses said that al-Ansari was hit by one bullet in his shoulder while gunmen tried to kidnap him upon leaving his house in al-Mansour quarters.

Meantime, efforts are ongoing to release the Egyptian ambassador in Iraq, Eyhab al-Sharif, whose fate is still vague after he was kidnapped by gunmen on Saturday. Al-Sharif family said they did not get any message from the kidnappers.

These political kidnappings and attacks on top diplomats are said by some to be an effort to discourage against the increasing number of countries who recently decided to send ambassadors to Iraq.

Previous Stories:
  Saddam's palaces to be converted into cultural centers   (6/23/2005)
  Australian hostage released in Iraq   (6/16/2005)
  French hostage released, back home to Paris   (6/13/2005)
  Pakistani official in Iraq kidnapped   (4/11/2005)

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