Iraq's deputy PM escapes assassination attempt

An Iraqi lawmaker says the country's deputy prime minister escaped an assassination attempt in which militants dressed as soldiers opened fire at his convoy west of Baghdad.
Lawmaker Talal al-Zobaie says he accompanied Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq and several other officials on a visit to villages in the Abu Graib area today.
Al-Zobaie says attackers in military uniform and driving military vehicles opened fire at their convoy, triggering a shootout with guards and soldiers protecting al-Mutlaq.
Three of al-Mutlaq's guards were wounded in the shootout. The attackers fled the scene.
The officials were inspecting flood damages after militants who control the nearby city of Fallujah shut off a water dam.

The attack was the latest in Iraq as the country heads toward crucial parliamentary elections on April 30.