Spanish diplomat assassinated in Baghdad

An attache to the Spanish Embassy in Baghdad was killed today outside his home in the Iraqi capital, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said.

Jose Antonio Bernal Gomez was shot as he was leaving his home, the national news agency Efe reported.

Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio was on her way to Turkey as news reached the Spanish capital.

Meanwhile it is now believed nine people died in a suicide car bomber hit a police station in northeast Baghdad.

The nine dead including the bomber, police and the US military said.

Capt Sean Kirley, of the 2nd Armoured Cavalry, said three policemen and five civilians were killed in addition to the attacker.

Police Maj Majid Abdel-Hameed said the car was a white Oldsmobile.

The driver drove through the police compound gate, was fired at by officers and then detonated the bomb.

There were at least 20 people injured.