UN secretary-general Kofi Annan came out against holding elections in Iraq before the June 30 transfer of power to Iraqis on a day when the number of US soldiers killed reached 545.

Two US soldiers and three Iraqis were killed in separate bomb attacks today, a day after UN security experts arrived in the capital to study the possible return of its international staff.

Iraq’s US administrator, Paul Bremer has been recalled from Baghdad for brainstorming consultations at the White House and the United Nations, in a scramble to salvage a timetable for Iraqi self-rule.

TENS of thousands of Shi’ite Muslims shouting “No to America!” marched in Basra yesterday to back their spiritual leader’s call for early elections, a stand that could stymie a US blueprint for transferring power to a new Iraqi administration.

A ROADSIDE bomb explosion yesterday killed one US soldier and wounded two, bringing the American death toll to nearly 500 since the start of fighting in March.

WAVES of protesting Iraqis marched against British soldiers, hurling stones and setting off homemade explosives in the southeastern city of Amarah yesterday, a day after clashes killed six protesters and wounded at least 11.

US senators Hillary Clinton and Jack Reed arrived in Iraq yesterday following President George Bush’s surprise visit – and said it was not too late to bring the United Nations back into the country.