THE number of Iraqis killed in March climbed to 1,082, the highest monthly figure since August 2007, amid a spike in violence driven by clashes between Shi’ite militiamen and security forces, officials have said.

AT LEAST 27 Iraqis were killed yesterday, including 16 in a pair of Baghdad car bombings, while the US military said five of its troops lost their lives in attacks.

IRAQ and the fate of hostage Kenneth Bigley are threatening to eclipse efforts by Tony Blair to put domestic policy centre stage.

IRAQI officials and aides to a radical Shi'ite cleric were yesterday trying to negotiate an end to nine days of fighting in the holy city of Najaf after US forces suspended an offensive against Muqtada al-Sadr's militia.

IRAQ'S new prime minister has called for a "rational dialogue" with Shi'ite rebel leader Moqtada Sadr, and asked other Muslim nations to contribute to the multinational force in Iraq once his government takes power on June 30.