Iraqi governor escapes bomb blast

The governor of Iraq’s largest Sunni province has survived an assassination attempt in a former insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad.

Iraqi police said Qasim al-Fahadawi, the governor of Anbar province, escaped unhurt when a roadside bomb hit his motorcade as it headed to Baghdad this morning.

A provincial media official said three bodyguards were injured in the attack.

Mr Al-Fahadawi has been a frequent target for insurgents. He lost a leg in a 2009 bombing at his office in the city of Ramadi.

Today’s attack came as Anbar officials consider joining other provinces to create an semi-autonomous Sunni region in Iraq.