22 die as Baghdad governor is assassinated

Rebels assassinated the highest-ranking Iraqi official in eight months today, gunning down the governor of Baghdad province and six of his bodyguards.

A suicide truck bomber killed 10 people at an Interior Ministry commando headquarters in the Iraqi capital, the latest in a string of murderous attacks ahead of elections on January 30.

Five American troops also were killed in three separate attacks, officials said, in the deadliest day for the US military in Iraq since a suicide bombing at a mess tent in Mosul killed 22 people, including 14 US soldiers and three American contractors, on December 21.

The terror group led by al-Qaida’s man in Iraq, Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility for killing Governor Ali al-Haidari and his bodyguards, according to a statement posted on a website known for carrying such claims.

“We tell every traitor and supporter of the Jews and Christians that this is your fate,” the statement said.

Iraq’s insurgents repeatedly have targeted government officials and security forces, saying they are allies of the US-led coalition.

More interim Iraqi government officials are saying the elections should be postponed to ensure a higher Sunni voter turnout, a sign the ongoing campaign of violence might be taking its toll on Iraqi resolve. The United States and Iraq’s electoral commission, however, insist that voting take place as scheduled.

“So far, there is no postponement ... of the elections, and they will be held on January 30,” Foreign Minister Hoshyiar Zibari said. He acknowledged the vote will “take place under very difficult circumstances, which will be a big challenge for all Iraqis and their government.”

Sunni Arab clerics have called for a boycott and Iraq’s largest Sunni political party announced it was pulling out of the race because of poor security that has seen insurgents kill scores of Iraqi security forces, as well as several election officials, in recent weeks.