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/8117686.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
'Dozens dead' in Baghdad bombing 'Dozens dead' in Baghdad bombing
(10 minutes later)
At least 56 people have been killed by a bomb blast in the eastern Sadr City area of Baghdad, say officials. At least 60 people have been killed by a bomb blast in the eastern Sadr City area of Baghdad, say officials.
Iraqi police said the bomb went off in a market place in the predominantly Shia area of the Iraqi capital.Iraqi police said the bomb went off in a market place in the predominantly Shia area of the Iraqi capital.
At least 104 people were also reported to have been injured in the blast, one of the worst in Iraq this year. More than 130 people were also reported to have been injured in the blast, one of the worst in Iraq this year.
It comes less than a week before US soldiers pull out of all Iraqi cities in advance of a complete withdrawal by the end of 2011.It comes less than a week before US soldiers pull out of all Iraqi cities in advance of a complete withdrawal by the end of 2011.
An interior ministry official told the AFP news agency the blast struck the market place at about 1930 local time (1630 GMT).An interior ministry official told the AFP news agency the blast struck the market place at about 1930 local time (1630 GMT).
The official said the bomb was hidden underneath a motorised cart carrying vegetables for sale.The official said the bomb was hidden underneath a motorised cart carrying vegetables for sale.
"I heard a boom and saw a ball of fire," said Najim Ali, a 30-year-old father who was injured in the blast.
"I saw cars flying in the air because of the force of the explosion," he was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
Market stalls were set on fire and an official told the Associated Press that people standing 600m (yards) away were hit by shrapnel.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says Sadr City has been struck often and provocatively in the past.The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says Sadr City has been struck often and provocatively in the past.
The latest blast, apparently timed to hit the market at one of its busiest times, was one of the most deadly single attacks in the city so far this year, says our correspondent.The latest blast, apparently timed to hit the market at one of its busiest times, was one of the most deadly single attacks in the city so far this year, says our correspondent.
No delayNo delay
US troops are due to withdraw from Iraqi cities by the end of JuneUS troops are due to withdraw from Iraqi cities by the end of June
There has been a recent rise in violence in Iraq, which, correspondents say, shows insurgents are intent on making the country's security situation appear unstable as the US withdrawal deadline approaches.There has been a recent rise in violence in Iraq, which, correspondents say, shows insurgents are intent on making the country's security situation appear unstable as the US withdrawal deadline approaches.
On Monday, at least 29 people were killed in attacks in Baghdad and elsewhere.On Monday, at least 29 people were killed in attacks in Baghdad and elsewhere.
Among them were three people, including a four-year-old child, killed in the Shaab district of north Baghdad and five killed by a parked car bomb in the central Baghdad Karrada district.Among them were three people, including a four-year-old child, killed in the Shaab district of north Baghdad and five killed by a parked car bomb in the central Baghdad Karrada district.
More than 70 people died in a truck bombing in Kirkuk on Saturday.More than 70 people died in a truck bombing in Kirkuk on Saturday.
But Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has said the violence will not delay the withdrawal and that it will be a triumph for the country.But Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has said the violence will not delay the withdrawal and that it will be a triumph for the country.
On Saturday, he urged Iraqis: "Don't lose heart if a breach of security occurs here or there."On Saturday, he urged Iraqis: "Don't lose heart if a breach of security occurs here or there."
Most of the 133,000 US troops in Iraq are due to leave Iraq's cities and towns and withdraw to military bases by 30 June.Most of the 133,000 US troops in Iraq are due to leave Iraq's cities and towns and withdraw to military bases by 30 June.
The withdrawal is part of an agreement that will see combat operations across Iraq end by September 2010 and all US troops out of the country by the end of 2011.The withdrawal is part of an agreement that will see combat operations across Iraq end by September 2010 and all US troops out of the country by the end of 2011.