BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An attempt to assassinate Iraq's Minister of Health has failed, but seven Iraqi police officers and 10 Iraqi civilians were wounded in a 45-minute battle that followed the attack in western Baghdad, according to Iraqi Police Col. Azher Kamal.
The fight began when a roadside bomb exploded as a convoy carrying Iraqi Minister of Health Dr. Ala'adin Alwan passed by at 8:30 p.m. local time (12.30 p.m. ET) Saturday, Col. Azher said.
No one was injured in the initial explosion, but when Iraqi police rushed to the scene near the Alja'afer police station in a western section of Baghdad they were attacked by a group of insurgents with small arms and grenades, Azher said.
By the time the battle ended 45 minutes later, seven police officers and 10 civilians were wounded, Azher said.
Also Sunday, a leading member of the Tikrit City Council was assassinated, according to another council member.
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http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/06/20/iraq.main/index.html