WASHINGTON, May 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The White House on Monday condemned the killing of Iraqi Governing Council Chairman Izzadine Salim, saying the bombing will not deter the scheduled handover of power to Iraqis on June 30.

    The White House called the killing "an act of cowardice and an effort to prevent democracy from taking root in Iraq," the CNN reported. "The enemies of Iraqi peace, prosperity and freedom will not prevail," the report quoted "a senior administration official"as saying.

    Officials said Salim's death will not affect the scheduled transfer of power from the US-led coalition to an interim Iraqi authority, according to the report. Enditem