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    December 03, 2011

Iraqi PM Call Blast Assassination Attempt

   VOA News
   Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki speaks during an interview with
   The Associated Press in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, December 3, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki speaks during an interview with
   The Associated Press in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, December 3, 2011.

   Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says a car bomb explosion inside
   of Baghdad's fortified Green Zone this week was an assassination
   attempt against him.
   In a Saturday interview with the Associated Press, Maliki said
   preliminary information indicated the blast was supposed to take place
   as he entered parliament.
   On Friday, Iraqi security officials also said the prime minister
   appeared to be the intended target of the bombing, on Monday, that left
   at least one person dead and several wounded.
   Investigators say preliminary information indicates the bomber intended
   to drive his vehicle, filled with explosives, to a parking lot near the
   parliament building and detonate the explosives when Maliki arrived.
   However, officials at a checkpoint turned back the driver because he
   did not have proper credentials. Authorities say he then went to a
   nearby parking lot and detonated the explosives.
   The blast took place at a time of heightened concern about Baghdad's
   ability to handle security after U.S. forces withdraw at the end of the
   month.
   Earlier this week, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visited Iraqi
   officials, ahead of the pull-out.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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