Four Iraqis killed after troops open fire

At least four Iraqis have been killed and 30 injured after Spanish-led coalition troops fired on protesters in the Iraqi city of Najaf.

Witnesses and hospital workers confirmed the deaths and said that two soldiers were among those killed.

Reporters said troops fired from several directions and several of the wounded were seriously hurt, prompting clashes between the troops and militiamen loyal to a radical Shi'ite cleric.

The protests had erupted over the arrest of an aide to the cleric, Moqtada al-Sadr.

Witnesses said the troops opened fire when thousands of protesters tried to enter a coalition base on the edge of the city.

Spanish, El Salvadorean and other Spanish-speaking troops are headquartered at the base.

Ambulances were at the scene to try to help the injured.

Iraqis transported some of the wounded to hospital in their cars because there were too few ambulances.