Iraq: Last day of election campaigning marred

Many of Iraq’s major politicians held pre-election gatherings around the country today, the last day that campaigning is permitted.

That campaigning was marred, however, by an attempt to blow up a leading Shiite politician and the assassination of a Sunni Arab candidate in the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi.

A roadside bomb targeted the convoy of Sheikh Jalalalddin al-Saghe, a Shiite member of the National Assembly who was elected with the governing United Iraqi Alliance.

The Iraqi army said the explosion in Latifiyah, about 20 miles south of Baghdad, damaged one of the vehicles.

In Ramadi, west of Baghdad, police said gunmen killed Mezher al-Dulaimi while he was filling up his car at a gas station.

Al-Duleimi was a candidate with a regional Sunni Arab party.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Chalabi held a pre-election rally in the southern city of Basra, while former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi hosted a gathering in Baghdad.

No campaigning is allowed tomorrow to give Iraqis time to reflect ahead of Thursday’s elections.