Syrian Orthodox priest shot dead in Baghdad

Baghdad: Gunmen shot dead an Iraqi priest in a drive-by attack in central Baghdad on Saturday, police said.

Syrian Orthodox priest, Adel Yousif, was gunned down near his home in central Baghdad's Karrada district.

Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly said Iraqi Christians were shocked by the slaying, which follows the kidnap and murder of the Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul Paulos Farraj Rahho, on February 29. There have been other attacks on Christians in recent months.

"We are praying and asking God for security in Iraq. What can we do?" Delly said. "How many people have been killed? Christians, Muslims, Sabaens, people who have dedicated themselves to serving this country but they are killed."

"We are ready to forgive the people who committed these crimes for the sake of the single family of Iraq," Delly said.