Baghdad - A journalist working for the independent Iraqi News Network has been killed in Iraq, witnesses said Thursday.
Sadek al-Shammari of the German-based news organization was shot dead by insurgents in Jisr Diyala, south of the Iraqi capital. More than 100 foreign and local journalists have been killed in Iraq since the US-led occupation of the country in 2003.
The US army meanwhile reported Thursday the death of a US marine the previous day in the restive western province of al-Anbar.
Three militant suspects were also killed in clashes with US troops in Mosul. Nine suspects were arrested in hospital following a firefight after doctors had treated their wounds.
Meanwhile Thursday, British Defence Secretary Desmond Browne paid a surprise visit to Iraq where he inspected British troops based in the southern city of Basra.
Browne's visit, which was not pre-announced for security reasons, comes at a time when British troops in Iraq are confronted with escalating problems. Seven British soldiers have died in southern Iraq since the beginning of May, and the number of attacks in the relatively peaceful region is on the rise.
Basra's city administration and Shiite religious leaders are blaming each other for the increased tension. Several high-ranking politicians, including Vice-President Adel Abdel Mahdi, and clerics have intervened in an effort to stop the violence.
Mahdi said Thursday that 'foreign powers in the region' were involved in the crisis. Observers have previously commented on the influence exerted in Basra by the Iranian secret service.
In other developments Thursday eleven people were killed in an attack on a police patrol and a mini bus carrying civilians.
Meanwhile Iraqi state television reported Thursday that the new government cabinet was complete and is due to be presented on Saturday.
The Shiite Alliance has taken 16 posts, the Kurds five, and the Iraqi Accord Front has four.
