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Iraq

Car bombs spread carnage

BAGHDAD - Two suicide car bombers plowed into a foreign security company convoy in the heart of Baghdad on Saturday, killing at least 22 people - including two Americans - in an attack that left a busy traffic circle strewn with burning vehicles, mutilated bodies and bloodied schoolchildren.

Nearly 300 people have been killed in insurgent violence since Iraq's democratically elected government was sworn in 10 days ago.

Seven government posts remained undecided until Saturday, when Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said he would submit nominations for six of them to the National Assembly for a vote today.

A Sunni military man who fled into exile more than 20 years ago and only returned after the ouster of Saddam Hussein was selected for the defense ministry, members of Jaafari's Shiite-dominated alliance said. The U.S. military said the two suicide attackers crashed their explosives-packed cars into a three-vehicle convoy in Tahrir Square, known for its shops and a large statue of Iraqi soldiers breaking through chains to freedom.

At least 22 people were killed, including the two Americans, who were employees of the company that owned the targeted sport utility vehicles, the U.S. Embassy said without identifying the company. Three other American civilians were injured in the attack, the embassy said. Hospital officials said at least 36 Iraqis were wounded.

Iman Norman rushed to al-Kindi Hospital to be with her 12-year-old daughter, Lana, one of several girls injured aboard a minibus. Iman said the students climbed out of the bus' windows in their bloodied uniforms after the bomb damaged its doors. Lana's injury wasn't serious, Norman said.

Elsewhere, a U.S. Marine was killed by a bomb in Karmah, 50 miles west of Baghdad, the military said. On Saturday, the U.S. command said an April 26 raid netted a key associate of Iraq's most wanted militant, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Ghassan Muhammad Amin Husayn al-Rawi had helped arrange meetings and move foreign insurgents into the country.

Al-Jaafari had hoped to curb support for the militants by including in his government members of the disaffected Sunni Arab minority. The key defense ministry will go to Saadoun al-Duleimi, said alliance lawmaker Nassar al-Rubaie.

[Last modified May 8, 2005, 00:46:16]