Iraq's new justice minister Malik Dohan al-Hassan survived a suicide bomb attack, but five bodyguards -- including a nephew -- were killed.
A second suicide attack on 30 kilometres south of Baghdad on Saturday hit the Iraqi National Guard headquarters, killing two and wounding 47 more.
In a third attack, a police chief was ambushed and killed while driving to work. There were numerous other attacks on police and security officials throughout the country Saturday.
A Jordanian truck driver's body was found with his eyes gouged out. Truck drivers bringing goods into Iraq have also been targeted for intimidation.
On an Islamist website, responsibility was claimed for both suicide attacks by militants who follow Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi -- the most wanted man in Iraq.
Al-Hassan was described in the message as a "traitor ... in the apostate agent government." Apostate means someone who has renounced his or her beliefs.
"We assure all Muslims in Iraq and the world that we will not become tired or weary in targeting the enemies of God, the infidel crusaders, the apostates and their followers," the statement said.
The bombings occurred on a day which marked the anniversary of a coup which brought the Baath Party to power in 1968.
His group, Tawhid and Jihad (Monotheism and Jihad), has been responsible for car-bombings, beheadings and other attacks. It promises more.
In general, Iraqi militants are trying to drive coalition forces out of Iraq and kill officials of the new, quasi-sovereign government. Attacks have intensified in recent days In some ways, they are succeeding.
While it only had 51 troops doing humanitarian work, the Philippines withdrew that contingent to save the life of a Filipino truck driver who had been taken hostage.
That move angered both Iraqi and U.S. officials, who worry it will make the fight against the militants more difficult.
U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney said his nation would not be swayed: "There is a difference between leading a coalition of many nations and submitting to the objections of a few."
U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte acknowledged Iraq's security problems but tried to be optimistic. "I think all the ingredients for success are there," he told reporters in his first news briefing since arriving three weeks ago.
web page
A second suicide attack on 30 kilometres south of Baghdad on Saturday hit the Iraqi National Guard headquarters, killing two and wounding 47 more.
In a third attack, a police chief was ambushed and killed while driving to work. There were numerous other attacks on police and security officials throughout the country Saturday.
A Jordanian truck driver's body was found with his eyes gouged out. Truck drivers bringing goods into Iraq have also been targeted for intimidation.
On an Islamist website, responsibility was claimed for both suicide attacks by militants who follow Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi -- the most wanted man in Iraq.
Al-Hassan was described in the message as a "traitor ... in the apostate agent government." Apostate means someone who has renounced his or her beliefs.
"We assure all Muslims in Iraq and the world that we will not become tired or weary in targeting the enemies of God, the infidel crusaders, the apostates and their followers," the statement said.
The bombings occurred on a day which marked the anniversary of a coup which brought the Baath Party to power in 1968.
His group, Tawhid and Jihad (Monotheism and Jihad), has been responsible for car-bombings, beheadings and other attacks. It promises more.
In general, Iraqi militants are trying to drive coalition forces out of Iraq and kill officials of the new, quasi-sovereign government. Attacks have intensified in recent days In some ways, they are succeeding.
While it only had 51 troops doing humanitarian work, the Philippines withdrew that contingent to save the life of a Filipino truck driver who had been taken hostage.
That move angered both Iraqi and U.S. officials, who worry it will make the fight against the militants more difficult.
U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney said his nation would not be swayed: "There is a difference between leading a coalition of many nations and submitting to the objections of a few."
U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte acknowledged Iraq's security problems but tried to be optimistic. "I think all the ingredients for success are there," he told reporters in his first news briefing since arriving three weeks ago.
web page
