Baghdad hotel blast a blow for Bush

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.

Polls show his popularity tumbling as the cost of the war in lives and money mounts.

Washington is pushing for a new Security Council resolution giving the United Nations a broader mandate to try to persuade reluctant countries to help in stabilise Iraq.