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Iraqi governor hit in twin blasts Iraqi governor hit in twin blasts
(40 minutes later)
At least 23 people have died in two suicide bombs in the central Iraqi city of Ramadi, with conflicting reports about the provincial governor's fate. At least 23 people have died in two suicide bombs in the same street in Ramadi, provincial capital of Anbar.
Police and state TV said Anbar Governor Qassim Mohammed was dead, although his deputy said he had only been wounded. Anbar Governor Qassim Mohammed was injured; initial reports that he had been killed have been denied.
The attacks struck in quick succession in the same street in the provincial capital. The bombers detonated their explosives after reportedly driving what appeared to be official vehicles into Ramadi's heavily protected green zone.
Analysts have blamed recent attacks in Iraq on al-Qaeda trying to destabilise the country ahead of March elections.Analysts have blamed recent attacks in Iraq on al-Qaeda trying to destabilise the country ahead of March elections.
The bombers are reported to have exploded their devices after driving what appeared to be official vehicles in to Ramadi's green zone, where government buildings are located under heavy protection. Police say a suicide attacker in a car triggered the first blast on Wednesday on the main road near the provincial administration buildings.
The first bomb went off near the entrance to the provincial council. Soon afterwards, another bomber struck while on foot nearby, according to police.
A short time later the second bomb was detonated at the other end of the same street. The governor was said to have been injured in the second explosion, after he came out of his office to inspect damage from the initial blast.
The governor was said to have been injured when the second attacker struck after he came out of his office to inspect damage from the initial blast. Dr Ahmed Abid Mohammed told the Associated Press news agency the governor had suffered burns to his face and injuries to his abdomen.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says that while Anbar has been generally quiet, the number of attacks has been rising in recent months, a worrying development in advance of March's general elections.The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says that while Anbar has been generally quiet, the number of attacks has been rising in recent months, a worrying development in advance of March's general elections.
It was the heart of Iraq's Sunni Islamist insurgency following the US-led overthrow of Saddam Hussein, but became relatively secure after local tribal leaders turned against al-Qaeda in 2006. Anbar was the heart of Iraq's Sunni Islamist insurgency following the US-led overthrow of Saddam Hussein, but became relatively secure after local tribal leaders turned against al-Qaeda in 2006.