LOC09:11
06:11 GMT
By Mohammad Al-Ghazzi
BAGHDAD, March 24 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad Al-Boulani has
survived an assassination attempt that inflicted damage in the vehicles of his
motorcade, security officials announced on Monday.
The officials said Boulani's motorcade was attacked by gunmen who sprayed
vehicles of the convoy with intensive gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades
(RPGs), late on Sunday, near Shatt Al-Arab causeway in the southern city of
Basra, Iraq's second largest city.
Boulani was not hurt in the attack but several cars of the motorcade
including military jeeps were damaged in the hit-and-run attack. Security
personnel reinforcements were called in immediately after the botched bid on
the life of the minister.
The minister was on a mission in Basra to assess security conditions in the
city that has become a top security preoccupation for the local leadership.
The futile bid on the life of the senior official coincided with calls by
senior local and US officials on the British forces serving in the greater
Basra area to take action and stem mounting violence orchestrated by armed
militias.
Britain has around 4,500 troops based at an air base outside the city.
The Britons, last year, withdrew from the inner parts of the city following
a wave of recurring attacks, and following arguments by local officials that
their pull-out might help in bringing conditions under control. However,
violence and disorder have recently spread in the city. (end)
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