A suicide car bomb exploded today outside an apartment building used by the Badr Brigade, a Shiite militia linked to one of the main parties in the Iraqi government, killing at least one person and wounding three, police said.

Iraqis expressed a mix of feelings today when asked about US President George Bush’s pledge to keep American troops in their country until Iraq’s security forces can stand alone, with some agreeing and others fed up with what they still call an “occupation”.

Two Australian brothers made an impassioned plea on Arabic television today for the release of their elder brother being held hostage in Iraq, saying he was ill and his abduction would not persuade Australia to withdraw troops.