A member of Iraq's US-appointed Governing Council has died from wounds she sustained in a gun attack on Saturday, the head of the country's US-led administration said today.
Gunmen fired on a car carrying Ms Akila al-Hashemi, a career diplomat from a prominent Shi'ite Muslim family, near her home in a Baghdad suburb on Saturday morning. She sustained wounds to the abdomen. Three people travelling with her were also wounded.
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"On behalf of the Coalition Provisional Authority and all its members, I offer condolences to her family, her colleagues on the Governing Council and the people of Iraq," Mr Paul Bremer said in a written statement.
After initial treatment in a Baghdad hospital, she was transferred to a US military hospital.
Militants opposed to the US-led occupation of Iraq have targeted Iraqis co-operating with Mr Bremer's administration as well as US and British soldiers and other Westerners.
"With her steadfast commitment to a free, democratic and peaceful Iraq, Dr al-Hashemi served as an inspiration to her nation," Mr Bremer said.
"Today we renew our commitment to this vision as we pay tribute to Hashemi's personal courage and dedication in her work on behalf of the Iraqi people," he added.