Iraqi security guards are seen inside the grounds of Al-Numa hospital where Kubba breathed his last

BAGHDAD , June 12 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - A top Iraqi foreign ministry official was gunned down in Baghdad on Saturday, June 12, while a Lebanese diplomat confirmed the slaying of a Lebanese hostage and two Iraqis working for a foreign company in the war-raved country.

Bassam Kubba, an undersecretary for foreign affairs, was shot outside his home as he left for work around 7:30 am (0330 GMT), ministry spokesman Thamer al-Azami told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"Somebody opened fire on him ... He was transferred to Al-Numa hospital. He died there," Azami said, adding that Kubba's driver was wounded.

It was the first assassination of a top official since the new caretaker government was installed on June 1.

Shiite politician Ezzedine Salim, who was rotating president last month of the now dissolved Governing Council, Ezzedine Salim was killed in a bombing on May 17.

Hostages Slain

Foreigners working in Iraq and locals employed by foreign companies have also become prime targets.

A Lebanese and two Iraqis working for a telecoms firm who were kidnapped west of Baghdad Thursday, June 10, were killed.

"Hussein Olayyan, from south Lebanon , and two Iraqis ... disappeared Thursday in the area around Fallujah," Lebanese Charges d'Affaires Hassan Hijazi told AFP Saturday.

"The Lebanese company, which had a contract with the Iraqi government, contacted the Iraqi government and asked the embassy to investigate," he added.

Some drivers found their bodies brutally mutilated on the roadside between Baghdad and Jordan on Friday, June 11.

"Their throats were slit," the diplomat said.

Muslim scholars have strongly condemned the similar beheading of an American civilian by unknown people in Iraq , saying Islam stands against such acts.

Muslims are demanded to treat their non-Muslim captives with clemency.

Turks Freed

In contrast, seven Turkish construction workers kidnapped a couple of days ago around the same area were released on Saturday and are on their way home, the Turkish embassy in Baghdad said.

"We received a statement from their employer, a construction firm called Serka, that said the seven had been released and are traveling back to Turkey ," an official told AFP.

One other Turk -- a lorry driver called Bulent Yanik -- remains in Iraq , the official added.