lennart
07-03-04, 18:05
Explosions rock centre of Baghdad
A series of loud explosions has been heard in the centre of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
The attack appeared to target the heavily-fortified headquarters of the US-led coalition, but so far there has been no word of any casualties.
A BBC correspondent says flashes of flame filled the sky, and sirens were heard across the city.
The explosions were close to the building where Iraq's new interim constitution is to be signed on Monday.
The ceremony will bring together all 25 members of the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council.
The signing was called off on Friday because Shia leaders objected to some aspects of the new constitution.
Heat sensors
The BBC's Barbara Plett says that mortars and rocket-propelled grenades were fired at the coalition headquarters, with five rockets targeting the al-Rashid hotel, where a number of senior officials are based.
"There was no confirmation of any injuries," said US Major John Frisbie.
The so-called Green Zone is sealed off to the public and has been the target of a number of attacks.
Several US aircraft were seen flying low over the Tigris River, possibly using infrared heat sensors to try to locate the rocket launchers used in the attacks.
The Green Zone last came under attack last Wednesday, as the senior US official in Iraq, Paul Bremer, was about to brief the press on the attacks in Baghdad and Karbala that killed 170 people.
(...)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3541321.stm
A series of loud explosions has been heard in the centre of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
The attack appeared to target the heavily-fortified headquarters of the US-led coalition, but so far there has been no word of any casualties.
A BBC correspondent says flashes of flame filled the sky, and sirens were heard across the city.
The explosions were close to the building where Iraq's new interim constitution is to be signed on Monday.
The ceremony will bring together all 25 members of the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council.
The signing was called off on Friday because Shia leaders objected to some aspects of the new constitution.
Heat sensors
The BBC's Barbara Plett says that mortars and rocket-propelled grenades were fired at the coalition headquarters, with five rockets targeting the al-Rashid hotel, where a number of senior officials are based.
"There was no confirmation of any injuries," said US Major John Frisbie.
The so-called Green Zone is sealed off to the public and has been the target of a number of attacks.
Several US aircraft were seen flying low over the Tigris River, possibly using infrared heat sensors to try to locate the rocket launchers used in the attacks.
The Green Zone last came under attack last Wednesday, as the senior US official in Iraq, Paul Bremer, was about to brief the press on the attacks in Baghdad and Karbala that killed 170 people.
(...)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3541321.stm