Explosion shakes central Baghdad

A BIG explosion rocked central Baghdad last night and a huge cloud of smoke was seen rising from the direction of Martyrs’ Square where the US military maintains a base.

The explosion shook the Palestine Hotel about two-and-a-half miles away from where it was believed to have occurred.

Also yesterday, Saddam Hussein's last defence minister surrendered to an American commander, and US troops backed by helicopters and armoured vehicles fought an overnight battle near Tikrit after coming under a co-ordinated attack that killed three soldiers and wounded two.