Iraq council member dies of wounds from attack

9.15pm

Akila al-Hashemi, a member of Iraq's US-appointed Governing Council, has died from wounds sustained in a gun attack on Saturday, the head of the country's US-led administration said.

"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," Paul Bremer said in a written statement.

Gunmen fired on a car carrying 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.

After initial treatment in a Baghdad hospital, she was transferred to a US military hospital.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was shocked and dismayed by Hashemi's death. She had been expected to be part of the Council's delegation to the United Nations. Blair offered his condolences and said her legacy would be a stable, free Iraq.

"Her murderers and those who support them only seek to undermine the Iraqi Governing Council and destroy the efforts of all those rebuilding the country. They care nothing for Iraq but they will not win," Blair said in a statement.

Guerrillas opposed to the US-led occupation of Iraq have targeted Iraqis co-operating with 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," 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.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq