Iraqi deputy minister, university dean escape assassination tries

[Barrett808]

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Two Iraqi officials narrowly escaped assassination attempts yesterday, including a deputy Interior minister whose home was damaged by a car bomb that killed five of his guards and a neighbor.

Abdul-Jabbar Youssef al-Sheikhli, who was appointed to his Interior Ministry post less than two months ago, and his wife suffered cuts and other minor injuries in the attack.

Up to 10 others were wounded in the suicide blast outside the home of al-Sheikhli, one of the top officials of the department responsible for police and security within Iraq. Police fired warning shots to disperse distraught bystanders who scuffled with them after the attack.

A group headed by al-Qaida associate Abu Musab al-Zarqawi posted a notice on a Web site claiming responsibility for the attack.

To the north in Baquba, the dean of Diyala University, Khosham Atta, escaped harm when gunmen shot at his car as he went to work, the university said.

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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001936347_iraq23.html