Fierce fighting puts Fallujah deal in doubt

FIERCE fighting in the Sunni stronghold of Fallujah yesterday killed one American soldier and eight insurgents, casting doubt on a deal Americans had hoped would end one of their biggest problems in Iraq.

And two days after three suicide boats exploded in an attempt to bomb the key offshore oil export terminal near Basra, killing three Americans, al-Qaida operative Abu Musab Zarqawi claimed responsibility for the attack.

"We give you good tidings ... your brothers with their boats targetted oil tankers in Mina al-Amiq and Mina al-Bakr," said the statement signed by Zarqawi.