Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed six people in separate attacks near Baghdad. Attackers ambushed a vehicle Monday, killing three people including a senior member of the Iraqi Islamic Party, Ayad al-Izzi.
Mr. al-Izzi was to compete in parliamentary elections set for next month. Iraq's President Jalal Talabani condemned the attack, saying Mr. Izzi was killed for being a "good Muslim" who rejected violence and terrorism.
Separately, gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims, killing three and wounding several others. Britain's Foreign Office said it was investigating reports that at least two British citizens were among those killed in the attack.
U.S. officials confirmed that an American was among the four Western aid workers abducted by gunmen on Saturday. Two Canadians and a British citizen were also seized. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.