Council leader in Iraq killed by suicide bombers

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BAGHDAD -- Suicide bombers assassinated Iraq's top political leader yesterday at an entrance to the Green Zone, the latest in a series of strikes as the June 30 transfer of power to an Iraqi government approaches.

Izzadine Saleem, president of the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council, died along with at least six others as his convoy waited to enter the U.S.-protected compound in central Baghdad.

The morning blast, which sent bystanders screaming and shot a column of black smoke into the air, injured at least 15, including two American soldiers.

U.S. officials said the attack would not derail plans to hand power back to Iraqis on June 30.

"Mr. Saleem died working to build a free, democratic and prosperous Iraq," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

"The Iraqi people will continue his work and see to it that such a vision becomes a reality."

Mr. Saleem, a Shi'ite Muslim who also was known as Abdel-Zahraa Othman, held the rotating presidency of the Governing Council this month.

A group calling itself the al-Rashid Brigades took responsibility for the killing on an Islamic Web site, hailing the death as a "heroic operation which led to the death of the mercenary traitor."

Iraqis working with the U.S.-led coalition have been targeted by several terrorist groups that are attempting to disrupt the transfer of power from the coalition to an Iraqi government.