Gunmen Kill Saudi Diplomat in Pakistan

Policemen, rescue workers and the media stand next to the body of the Saudi diplomat who was killed by unidentified gunmen, at a morgue in Karachi's Jinnah hospital, May 16, 2011

Gunmen on motorcycles shot and killed a Saudi diplomat Monday in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi.

Officials say Hassan al-Khatani was driving to work at the Saudi Arabian consulate when the attack happened. Khatani worked in the consulate's security office.

The Pakistani Taliban denied it was involved in the killing, which follows an attack last week in which grenades were thrown at the consulate building in Karachi.

Pakistani police are investigating whether Monday's attack is a result of sectarian violence between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned the diplomat's killing and said it has asked Pakistani authorities to increase security around the consulate in Karachi and the embassy in Islamabad.

Pakistani leaders also condemned the attack and promised a full investigation.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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