Chalabi Group's Convoy Ambushed In Iraq

The convoy reportedly was carrying political allies of Ahmad Chalabi (in file photo) 31 July 2005 -- A convoy reportedly carrying several members of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress (INC) political group was ambushed south of Baghdad today, leaving a bodyguard dead and three other people wounded.

Chalabi was apparently not with the convoy.

Chalabi's spokesman, Entifadh Qanbar, said the ambush occurred in the town of Mahawil, 85 kilometers south of Baghdad, while the convoy was heading to the Shi'ite holy city of Karbala.

In another incident today, Iraqi police said a car bomb exploded at an police checkpoint near Haswa, about 50 kilometers south of Baghdad, killing seven civilians.

In Baghdad, the U.S. military said five American soldiers were killed in bomb attacks yesterday.

(Reuters/AP/AFP/dpa)