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Suicide bomb hits Afghan capital Suicide bomb hits Afghan capital
(10 minutes later)
A suicide car bomb has struck the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least one person and wounding others.A suicide car bomb has struck the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least one person and wounding others.
The blast happened near a hotel in the city's Wazir Akbar Khan area where many diplomats and foreigners live and work.The blast happened near a hotel in the city's Wazir Akbar Khan area where many diplomats and foreigners live and work.
There is extensive damage to buildings in the area. The house of a former vice-president, Ahmed Zia Massoud, was also badly damaged, reports said.There is extensive damage to buildings in the area. The house of a former vice-president, Ahmed Zia Massoud, was also badly damaged, reports said.
The blast took place shortly before President Hamid Karzai opens a three-day conference on corruption.The blast took place shortly before President Hamid Karzai opens a three-day conference on corruption.
'Suicide attack''Suicide attack'
A defence ministry spokesman said that the dead and injured were civilians.A defence ministry spokesman said that the dead and injured were civilians.
"I believe it was a suicide attack. So far 16 wounded and one dead have been evacuated to our hospital, the military hospital," General Mohammad Zahir Azimi told the AFP news agency."I believe it was a suicide attack. So far 16 wounded and one dead have been evacuated to our hospital, the military hospital," General Mohammad Zahir Azimi told the AFP news agency.
"They are all civilians, including men, women and children.""They are all civilians, including men, women and children."
An eyewitness was quoted as saying that a black four-wheeled drive vehicle blew up as it passed the Heetal Hotel in the upscale Wazir Akbar Khan area.An eyewitness was quoted as saying that a black four-wheeled drive vehicle blew up as it passed the Heetal Hotel in the upscale Wazir Akbar Khan area.
"It drove very slow to the checkpoint of the hotel. And then it blew up," Humayun Azizi told the Associated Press news agency."It drove very slow to the checkpoint of the hotel. And then it blew up," Humayun Azizi told the Associated Press news agency.
The wreckage of the car was in flames outside the hotel, reports say.The wreckage of the car was in flames outside the hotel, reports say.
Police and emergency vehicles have taken the wounded away to hospitals.Police and emergency vehicles have taken the wounded away to hospitals.
Kabul has been hit by a number of explosions in recent months.Kabul has been hit by a number of explosions in recent months.
Last month, a car bomber struck outside a Nato base in Kabul, injuring three foreign soldiers and three Afghan civilians.Last month, a car bomber struck outside a Nato base in Kabul, injuring three foreign soldiers and three Afghan civilians.
US surgeUS surge
Tuesday's explosion happened shortly before President Karzai opens a three-day conference on corruption in Kabul.Tuesday's explosion happened shortly before President Karzai opens a three-day conference on corruption in Kabul.
He is facing mounting Western pressure to curb the rampant problem in his country.He is facing mounting Western pressure to curb the rampant problem in his country.
Meanwhile, the top US military officer held talks in Kabul on Monday ahead of a surge of 30,000 American troops to fight Taliban and other insurgents.Meanwhile, the top US military officer held talks in Kabul on Monday ahead of a surge of 30,000 American troops to fight Taliban and other insurgents.
Adm Mike Mullen said violence in Afghanistan was likely to get worse before it gets better.Adm Mike Mullen said violence in Afghanistan was likely to get worse before it gets better.
"I told our troops heading here to steel themselves for more combat and more casualties," he said."I told our troops heading here to steel themselves for more combat and more casualties," he said.