A US general said the one attacker captured in the bombings that killed over 40 people in Baghdad yesterday had a Syrian passport, fuelling suspicions that foreign fighters were behind a rising tide of violence.

YESTERDAY’S suicide bomb attack aimed at a Baghdad hotel used by US officials deals a further blow to US President George W Bush who is trying to bolster support for his invasion of Iraq by highlighting post-war successes.

A SUICIDE bomber killed at least six Iraqis and injured dozens in an attack at a Baghdad hotel used by US officials yesterday, shaking buildings and shattering windows blocks away, the US military said.