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Iraq MPs debate parliament attack Iraq MPs condemn parliament blast
(40 minutes later)
Iraq's parliament is holding a special session on what is normally a day of rest - in a defiant response to a suicide bombing inside its building. Iraq's parliament is holding a special session in a defiant response to a suicide bombing inside its building.
Turnout was low because of increased security measures and a strict travel curfew, a government spokesman said. Turnout was low because of a travel curfew to prevent bombers attacking crowds attending weekly prayers.
Two MPs were among the eight people killed on Thursday when a bomber infiltrated a tight security cordon and detonated explosives in a cafeteria. One MP was killed when a bomber infiltrated a tight security cordon and detonated explosives in a cafeteria.
An inquiry has begun into the blast in Baghdad's heavily-fortified area. Earlier US reports said eight people had died - three of them MPs. An inquiry has begun into the blast in Baghdad's heavily-fortified area.
On Friday, US military officials revised the casualty figure down - saying only one person had been killed and 22 wounded in the blast.
One report says police are questioning three workers from the cafeteria where the bomb went off.One report says police are questioning three workers from the cafeteria where the bomb went off.
A senior Iraqi lawmaker told Reuters news agency that no charges had been filed, adding that some parliamentary guards were also helping police with their investigation.A senior Iraqi lawmaker told Reuters news agency that no charges had been filed, adding that some parliamentary guards were also helping police with their investigation.
Tributes paid
The rare emergency session - on what is normally a rest day - was called by parliament's speaker shortly after the blast to "defy terrorism" and as a signal to the perpetrators that MPs would not be intimidated.
The session got under way with readings from the Koran and many tributes to the minister who is known to have died, Mohammed Awadh from one of the Sunni factions.
It reminds us that there is an enemy willing to bomb innocent people and a symbol of democracy US President George W BushIt reminds us that there is an enemy willing to bomb innocent people and a symbol of democracy US President George W Bush
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says one of the theories being investigated is that the bomber, who may have worn a belt of explosives, could have been a bodyguard to a member of parliament. Over confusion over how many of the MPs were killed, deputies themselves have only confirmed Mr Awadh's name, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad.
Questions will be asked about how the bomber managed to penetrate one of the most stringently guarded buildings in the country, he says. Among those attending the session were the interior minister, whose officials have now taken over security at the parliament building from a private firm.
Our correspondent says questions will be asked about how the bomber managed to penetrate one of the most stringently guarded buildings in the country.
This is the first time a bomb has gone off inside the building although it has been shaken by several mortar attacks in the past.This is the first time a bomb has gone off inside the building although it has been shaken by several mortar attacks in the past.
Bomber's journeyBomber's journey
The bomber would have had to pass through a checkpoint manned by US and Iraqi forces on the edge of the Green Zone and then through several checkpoints run by security contractors.The bomber would have had to pass through a checkpoint manned by US and Iraqi forces on the edge of the Green Zone and then through several checkpoints run by security contractors.
An Iraqi government spokesman told the Associated Press news agency that a private security firm had been responsible for guarding the parliament building, but that the interior ministry had now taken over security. One MP questioned the parliament's checks, telling the BBC's World Today programme that some MPs' bodyguards were allowed to pass through checkpoints without being searched.
Footage showed officials carrying the injured from the buildingOne MP questioned the parliament's checks, telling the BBC's World Today programme that some MPs' bodyguards were allowed to pass through checkpoints without being searched. Footage showed officials carrying the injured from the building
The attack is a major blow to the much-trumpeted Baghdad security surge now in its third month, our correspondent says.The attack is a major blow to the much-trumpeted Baghdad security surge now in its third month, our correspondent says.
The security drive has brought down the rate of sectarian murders, but it has not stopped the bomb attacks.The security drive has brought down the rate of sectarian murders, but it has not stopped the bomb attacks.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said the attack was a "criminal cowardly act" and that the violence would not weaken MPs' resolve.Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said the attack was a "criminal cowardly act" and that the violence would not weaken MPs' resolve.
US President George W Bush condemned the attack and said the US would help Iraq defend itself against extremists.US President George W Bush condemned the attack and said the US would help Iraq defend itself against extremists.
"It reminds us, though, that there is an enemy willing to bomb innocent people and a symbol of democracy," President Bush said."It reminds us, though, that there is an enemy willing to bomb innocent people and a symbol of democracy," President Bush said.
The US government has denied that the attack shows its troop increase in the capital is having little impact on security.The US government has denied that the attack shows its troop increase in the capital is having little impact on security.