Iraq's Chalabi escapes suicide bombing

BAGHDAD, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Six people, including five from the entourage of Iraqi Shiite politician Ahmed Chalabi, were slain in a Baghdad suicide bombing attack, officials said.

Chalabi, a one-time leader of Iraqi exiles in the United States during the regime of former President Saddam Hussein, escaped unharmed in the blast, CNN reported Saturday. Seventeen people were wounded in the explosion, including nine of Chalabi's guards or drivers, officials told CNN.

Iraq's Interior Ministry said the attack happened Friday night near Chalabi's home in Baghdad's al-Mansour district.

Also Friday in Baghdad, gunmen shot and killed an Iraqi defense ministry adviser, officials said.