Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanovmade a surprise visit to his country's contingent in Karbala, southern Iraq, on Sunday, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reported.

The news agency said during the unannounced visit, Parvanov also met with US civil governor in Iraq Paul Bremer and Commander of US forces Gen. Ricardo Sanchez.

In his short trip to Iraq, the president's motorcade was attacked by unidentified gunmen and the Bulgarian security guards fired at the assailants, but there were no casualties.

Bulgaria has about a 500-member infantry battalion under Polishcommand in Karbala. Its main duties are patrolling the center of the city and guarding City Hall and police headquarters.

On Friday a Bulgarian soldier was killed and four others injured in an armed conflict in Karbala. On Dec. 27 last year, five Bulgarian soldiers died and 26 others injured in a car-bomb attack.

Source: Xinhua