One dead after bomb blast hits UN convoy in Iraq

One dead after bomb blast hits UN convoy in Iraq

2010-10-20 01:56:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BNO NEWS) -- A police officer was killed on Tuesday and three others were wounded after a bomb blast hit a United Nations (UN) convoy in Iraq, officials said.

The convoy was on its way out of the city of Najaf, around 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, when the improvised explosive device (IED) struck the convoy. UN Assistance Mission for Iraq special representative Ad Melkert was in the convoy, but was not injured.

A police officer, however, died as a result of injuries he sustained in the explosion. Three others were also injured, but none were believed to be seriously injured.

Melkert spoke to Dutch radio station Radio 1 soon after the attack but refused to speculate on whether he was the intended target of the attack. "It's guessing, but it was certainty not a coincidence [that the UN convoy was there]. The political situation here is under high pressure," he said.

"Seven months after the elections there is still no possibility to find a government," he explained. "There are great political interests and unfortunately this is accompanied by violence."

Melkert said UN staff in Iraq is aware of the risks, but called Tuesday's attack a terrible experience. "It is something which we constantly keep in mind. We are trained for it, prepared for it, but when it happens it is a terrible experience," he said.

Also on Tuesday, seven IED attacks in the country's Salahuddin Province left at least five people killed and injured five others. Two police officers were said to be among the casualties.

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