Iraqi ministers escape attacks

Government ministers in Iraq have been the target of several attacks

Two Iraqi interim government ministers have survived apparent assassination attempts in the capital Baghdad.

Convoys carrying the environment and education ministers were attacked on their way to offices in the city.

At least four bodyguards of Environment Minister Mishkat Moumin were killed in the attack on her convoy. She told Reuters news agency she was unharmed.

One bodyguard was reportedly killed when Education Minister Sami al-Mudhaffar's convoy was hit.

Several people are reported to have been wounded in the attacks.

Targets

The BBC's Matthew Price in Baghdad said the blasts occurred close to each other early in the morning.

A car carrying explosives blew up near to the convoy carrying the environment minister.

The education minister's convoy was hit by an explosive device by the roadside.

Ms Moumin said she was aware that those opposed to the government were intent on killing anyone working for the interim body.

"I have been working on sending aid to Najaf and before that distributing water in Sadr city. Serving the Iraqi people is not a crime that deserves this," she told Reuters after the blast.

Several ministers in Iraq's caretaker government have been the target of attacks in recent months.