Some damage to shrines in Iraq's Kerbala -official

BAGHDAD, Aug 29 (Reuters) The revered Shi'ite shrines of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas in the Iraqi city of Kerbala were slightly damaged by gunfire during heavy overnight clashes, a local official said today.

Ali Kadhum, an official in the media office of the two shrines, said bullets had damaged the domes and minarets of both buildings, while an electricity power unit supplying both shrines had been badly damaged.

The shrines are two of the holiest sites in the world for Shi'ite Muslims.

REUTERS SZ RK1210