Iraqi election candidate's convoy targeted by explosion

An explosion targeted a convoy belonging to an Iraqi parliamentary candidate on Monday, injuring two people ahead of the country's highly anticipated October vote.

The convoy of Mohammed Al-Dayni - who has been an MP before - was driving through Kanaan town, Diyala province, when a rigged trolley blew up, wounding two individuals from his protection team.

A security team arrived at the location to track those responsible, The New Arab's Arabic-language sister service, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

Local police leadership issued a release saying Al-Dayni was on Kanaan's main road when he was targeted.

The well-known politician is standing for Jamal Al-Dhari's Iraqi National Project in Diyala's first electoral district in October's general election.

Baghdad has insisted that the vote would take place in a safe and secure environment.

The Supreme Security Committee - set up to deal with electoral safety - has rolled out a security plan across the country.

The Monday attack against the Al-Dayni's convoy came on the same day that a move was greenlit to give 30,000 dismissed militia fighters aligned with the government their contracts back.