Shiite clegryman's killing in Iraq angers Iran

Iran summoned the Iraq charge d'affairs in Iran, Salah Nouri as-Samarmad, to protest the killing of Iranian Shiite clergyman Ayatollah Morteza Boroujerdi Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

The report said Boroujerdi, 70, was shot and killed at Imam Ali mosque in Najaf, Iraq, where he was living, after praying at the Shiite holy site. Two people accompanying Boroujerdi were also wounded in the attack. The unidentified attackers fled the scene and escaped.

Relations between Iraq and Iran have undergone recent improvements, characterized by exchanges of POW's held captive since the 1980-88 war between the two states.

A round of meetings took place on Monday between Iraqi and Iranian officials in order to discuss further prisoner exchanges and other pending bilateral issues.

Iraq recently allowed Iranian pilgrims to enter Iraq to visit Shiite holy sites.

As-Samarmad said Iraq regrets Boroujerdi's death, IRNA said.