IRAQ
Head of Governing Council killed
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A photograph of Izzadine Saleem
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A suicide bombing killed the head of the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council on May 17 in Baghdad, a major setback to American efforts to stabilize Iraq just six weeks before the handover of sovereignty.
Izzadine Saleem, also known as Abdel-Zahraa Othman, was waiting in a Governing Council convoy at a U.S. checkpoint along a tree-lined street preparing to enter the Green Zone when the bomb was detonated. It apparently had been rigged with artillery shells and hidden inside a red Volkswagen.
Iraqi officials said nine people, including the bomber, were killed and 14 Iraqis and an Egyptian were wounded in the attack.
Saleem, a Shiite Muslim in his 60s, held the rotating presidency of the 25-member Governing Council for May. He was the second council member slain since their appointment last July; Aquila al-Hashimi was mortally wounded by gunmen in September.
The Japan Times Weekly: May 22, 2004 (C) All rights reserved
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