Baghdad hotel hit by blast

One of the main hotels used by Britons and western diplomats in Baghdad was hit by a powerful car bomb blast today.

The explosion took place at the entrance to the Al Hamra hotel complex south of the city centre, home to numerous journalists including the Evening Standard's Baghdad correspondent.

Five Iraqis were hurt including a 10-year-old boy selling cigarettes in the street who was critically injured. The explosion occurred in the Jadiriyah district about 100 yards from the Australian embassy. Iraqi police believe the embassy may have been the target and the car detonated prematurely.

At least nine Iraqis were killed and 19 injured in fighting between US forces and fighters loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf and neighbouring Kufa. Fighting raged after daybreak in Najaf, where explosions and gunfire were heard around the city