Sukhumi, Georgia, March 1, SPA -- The prime minister of Georgia'sseparatist Abkhazia region survived an assassinationattempt by unknown assailants, the interior minister saidTuesday. Gunmen opened fire at Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab'scar late Monday while he was traveling to the primeminister's residence in Gudauta, a resort north of thecapital Sukhumi, said Interior Minister Otar Khetsiya. Theprime minister was riding with his deputy, LeonidLakerbaya, in another, identical metallic gray Volga sedanat the front of the motorcade, Khetsiya said. When the shooting began, the car carrying the twoofficials sped ahead, while the prime minister's car, withjust the driver inside, was forced to stop. The driver wasnot hurt, however, and the assailants fled, he said. Lakerbaya said he had counted 11 bullet holes in the primeminister's car.--SPA1044 Local Time 0744 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/243252