Poland's ambassador to Iraq wounded in blast

BAGHDAD, Oct 3 (Reuters) Poland's ambassador to Iraq was wounded today in an explosion in Baghdad, a diplomatic source in the Iraqi capital said.

Asked about reports of an explosion targeting a Polish diplomatic convoy, the source said: ''Yes, that's right. The ambassador is wounded, and we are still trying to relocate him''.

A police source said one civilian was killed and five people wounded when three Polish embassy cars were hit by three separate roadside bombs in the Arasat district in central Baghdad.

The police had no information about the ambassador but said three of the wounded were from the Polish embassy.

A Reuters witness said he saw two cars which appeared to have been bombed. At least one of them carried a red and white looking diplomatic flag. Helicopters were taking wounded people to hospital.

Poland backed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and currently has around 1,000 troops in the country.

REUTERS SG SSC1419