Mon Oct 28, 3:14 AM ET

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - Gunmen killed an American diplomat outside his home Monday in the Jordanian capital, Jordan's information minister said.

The diplomat, identified by security officials as Lawrence Foley, was killed at 7:30 a.m. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not know his position at the U.S. Embassy.

"Gunmen sprayed the diplomat with several shots, killing him instantly," Information Minister Mohammed Affash Adwan told The Associated Press.

Adwan said he did not know if the attack on Foley was a terrorist incident.

The security officials said Foley's wife called police after the attack.

Jordan is known for its tight security, but several attacks have been directed against Israelis in Amman and along the Jordanian-Israel border. Jordan and Egypt are the two Arab states that have peace treaties with Israel.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2002