Suicide Bomber Kills U.S. Diplomat in Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/20/AR2005092000246.html

BAGHDAD, Sept. 20 -- An American diplomat and three private security contractors died Monday in the northern city of Mosul when their armored SUV was attacked by a suicide car bomber, a Western official in Baghdad confirmed Tuesday morning.

Two others riding in the three-vehicle convoy -- which was departing a U.S. embassy satellite office in Mosul -- suffered minor injuries in the attack, which occurred at 9:49 a.m., the official said.

A lone driver pulled alongside the convoy and detonated an explosion next to the second vehicle. U.S. security personnel immediately cordoned the area and administered first aid, but the four appeared to have died instantly.

The diplomat killed in the attack was not named, but was described as a diplomatic security agent.