BAGHDAD, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Unknown gunmen shot dead a senior official working for the Iraqi ministry of culture in downtown Baghdad on Saturday, a well-informed police source said.

    Kamel Shiyaa Abdullah, an advisor to the ministry, was killed and his driver wounded when gunmen opened fire on his car traveling on a highway, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    Sporadic attacks continue in Baghdad despite the U.S. and Iraqi officials announced a lull in violence during the past months.