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Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Killed in Baghdad

A top official at Iraq's foreign ministry is killed in Baghdad during an ambush by unknown gunmen. Bassam Kubba, a career diplomat, is the first member of Iraq's new interim government to lose his life amid continuing violence and security problems.

Elsewhere in Iraq, radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr shows more signs of cooperating with a cease-fire in Najaf. U.S. officials say they're encouraged that al-Sadr has indicated he will support the interim government.

But continued unrest in Iraq makes it difficult to jump-start the nation's nascent economy. Attacks on oil pipelines alone are estimated to have cost as much as $200 million.

Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer and NPR's Emily Harris.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

As NPR's senior national correspondent, Linda Wertheimer travels the country and the globe for NPR News, bringing her unique insights and wealth of experience to bear on the day's top news stories.
International Correspondent Emily Harris is based in Jerusalem as part of NPR's Mideast team. Her post covers news related to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip. She began this role in March of 2013.