This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7685626.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Baghdad bombing targets minister Baghdad bombing targets minister
(about 2 hours later)
Nine people have been killed in Baghdad in an apparent suicide bomb attack on a convoy carrying the Iraqi government's minister of labour.Nine people have been killed in Baghdad in an apparent suicide bomb attack on a convoy carrying the Iraqi government's minister of labour.
Ten others were injured in the attack, which reports say saw a bomber ram an explosives-packed car into the convoy. Police said at least 20 more were hurt when a bomber reportedly rammed an explosives-packed car into the convoy.
A ministry of labour spokesman said the minister, Mahmoud Jawad al-Radi, was not harmed by the blast.A ministry of labour spokesman said the minister, Mahmoud Jawad al-Radi, was not harmed by the blast.
Attacks on public figures and government ministers in Iraq have lessened as security has improved.Attacks on public figures and government ministers in Iraq have lessened as security has improved.
The bombing happened during rush-hour in central Bab al-Sharji district, the Associated Press news agency said. The bombing happened during rush hour in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad.
It comes as the US military is preparing to hand over security in Babil province, south of Baghdad, to Iraq forces later on Thursday. A Reuters news agency cameraman who saw the attack said a car slammed into the convoy and exploded in a ball of fire.
Police and security guards in the convoy opened fire as vehicles crashed or sped away, the agency reported.
The bombing comes as the US military is preparing to hand over security to Iraqi forces in Babil province, south of Baghdad, later on Thursday.