Candidate murdered in Iraq

AN Iraqi council member running for governor in the southern port city of Basra was killed as he left for work yesterday morning, along with his driver and bodyguard, an Iraqi official said.

Hazim al-Aynachi was pulling out of his driveway when gunmen opened fire on his car.

Council head Abdul Bari Faiyek blamed the killing on opposition to elections for a local governor which were due to occur yesterday but have now been delayed in response to the shooting.