Car bomb blast in central Baghdad

A large explosion was heard this morning in the centre of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, and witnesses said the blast was caused by a car bomb near the offices of a leading Shiite political party.

One witness said he saw two heavily damaged vehicles and two people lying in the street.

There was no confirmation from police.

The witness said the blast occurred in the Jadriyah district close to a major office of the Shiite party, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a main contender in the January 30 election.

SCIRI had close ties to Iran, and is strongly opposed by Sunni Muslim militants.