BAGHDAD, Nov 1 (AFP) - A deputy governor of Baghdad, Hassam Kamel Abdel Fattah, was shot dead on Monday in the southern district of Dora, Iraq's interior ministry said.
The killing was later claimed by Ansar Al-Sunna, a group linked to the Al-Qaeda network, in a statement on its internet website.
"He was travelling to work by car at about 7:47 am (0445 GMT) when unknown assailants gunned him down," said ministry spokesman Adnan Abdul Rahman, adding that two bodyguards were wounded in the ambush, which occurred not far from Fattah's home.
The statement on the Ansar Al-Sunna website (http://ansar-alsunnah.5u.com/) said: "Your heroic brothers, the Mujahedeen (holy warriors) of Ansar Al-Sunna, executed the judgement of God by shooting dead the apostate Hassam Kamel Abdel Fattah, the deputy governor of Baghdad, as well as his driver and guards."
It was signed by the "military arm of the Army of Ansar Al-Sunna".
High-profile political figures and other people in authority are frequently targeted by insurgents aiming to undermine the US-backed interim government and wreak havoc in the run up to elections promised by January.
A senior Iraqi diplomat was shot dead last Wednesday while walking home from Iraq's foreign ministry by unknown attackers who at first tried to kidnap him.
Qusay Mehdi was Iraq's charge d'affaires to the United Arab Emirates from June 2003 until last month and had been working at the foreign ministry awaiting his next assignment.
11/01/2004 13:33 GMT - AFP