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QT-Online
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi escaped unhurt after a drone laden with explosives hit his residence in Baghdad early on Sunday.
The suspected assassination attempt came after pro-militia groups staged protests in the Iraqi capital against the results of October's elections. Supporters of parties that lost in the elections have been threatening Mr Al Kadhimi for weeks.
The Iraqi military said the attack was aimed at Mr Al Kadhimi's residence in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone. It provided no further detail.
The prime minister's official Twitter account said he was safe and called for calm.
Al Kadhimi issued a video statement hours after the attack, saying "I call on all sides to a constructive dialogue for Iraq and its future".
Two government officials said there had been at least one explosion at Mr Al Kadhimi's residence. They confirmed that the prime minister was unharmed. The prime minister's office released photos showing damage to rooms at the official residence.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Western diplomats based in the Green Zone, where government buildings and foreign embassies are located, said they heard explosions and gunfire in the area.
The US was quick to condemn the attack.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in the early hours of Sunday, "this apparent act of terrorism, which we strongly condemn, was directed at the heart of the Iraqi state. We are in close touch with the Iraqi security forces charged with upholding Iraq’s sovereignty and independence and have offered our assistance as they investigate this attack".
He added: "Our commitment to our Iraqi partners is unshakeable."
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07/11/2021
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