WASHINGTON, Jan 5 (AFP) - Baghdad's governor was being protected by his own security force when gunmen ambushed his convoy in a congested street in the Iraqi capital and killed him, a top US general said Wednesday.
Major General Peter Chiarelli, commander of the US forces in the Baghdad area, said an investigation was underway into the assassination of Ali Radi al-Haidar on Tuesday.
"Please understand the governor was responsible for his own security. He wanted it that way. He was a very, very good friend. He had his own group of bodyguards, his own equipment, and he asked that he be in charge of his own security," Chiarelli told reporters in a teleconference from Iraq.
Haidar was in a convoy with his security guards when it came under attack with small arms, and possibly a rocket propelled grenade, he said. Three guards were also killed.
Chiarelli said it was unclear whether Haidar was inside his armored car when he was killed.
"Until the investigation is complete I can't tell you whether he was in that car or not yesterday," he said. "Some folks have questioned whether he was in his armored car.
Al-Haidar was the most senior Iraqi official killed since May.
His killing underscored the dangers in Baghdad as the country heads toward elections January 30 that have been accompanied by devastating suicide car bombings and other insurgent attacks.
01/05/2005 16:04 GMT - AFP