Explosion shakes central Baghdad
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.
Though Americans have been the targets of near daily attacks, the battle around the village of Uja Saddam's birthplace was unusual because of its intensity and length. The fighting lasted from 8pm on Thursday until daybreak on Friday, the military said.
US forces captured 58 Iraqis, including those suspected of being involved in the attack on the patrol, said Colonel James Hickey, commander of the 1st Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division.
The violence came as US troops claimed a victory in their effort to track down remnants of Saddam's regime. Former General Sultan Hashim Ahmad, Iraq's last defence minister, surrendered after weeks of negotiations.
Dawood Bagistani, who arranged the surrender to Major General David Petraeus, said Ahmad was handed over with respect and was with his family at the time. Bagistani said the US military had promised to remove Ahmad's name from the list of 55 most-wanted, meaning he would not face indefinite confinement and possible prosecution.
Ahmad, the eight of hearts in the deck of cards of Iraqi fugitives, was number 27 on the most-wanted list. Thirty-eight of that group are now in custody and 14 remain at large. Three are either dead or thought to be dead.
