Gunmen rob Baghdad jewelry store and kill owner; car bomb kills 3 responding policemen

4 killed in attack on Baghdad jewelry store

BAGHDAD — Iraqi authorities say gunmen have robbed a jewelry store in northern Baghdad and killed its owner. As they were making their escape, a car bomb exploded nearby, killing three policemen who were responding to the robbery.

In addition to the dead, police and hospital officials say seven people were wounded in Saturday’s explosion, including two policemen.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

While Iraq has experienced an overall decrease in violence as the insurgency has ebbed, violent crime has increased.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s foreign minister wants stronger American and British help in resolving Iraq’s election dispute and is accusing the U.S. of caring more about sending its troops home.

Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari made the remarks in an interview published Saturday in the Saudi-owned, London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.

He said U.S. and British officials should be more aggressive in pushing rival political coalitions in Iraq’s bitter election dispute work toward a compromise.

Neither Zebari nor his aides could be reached immediately Saturday to confirm his comments.

Results from the March 7 parliamentary vote are being challenged and recounted after the election failed to produce a clear winner.