Iraq's Chalabi escapes assassination

BAGHDAD, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Iraqi Shiite politician Ahmed Chalabi escaped unharmed Wednesday an attempt to assassinate him by gunmen who opened fire on his convoy.

Two of Chalabi's aides were injured.

Security sources quoted on Qatar satellite television al-Jazeera said the attempt occurred early Wednesday as Chalabi returned from Najaf to Baghdad.

Chalabi, known to be close to the Pentagon, fell out with the former U.S.-led coalition authority after he admitted exaggerating the threat of weapons of mass destruction from Saddam Hussein.