20 killed in Iraq bombings, shootings

A rubbish collector and a Baghdad University security chief were killed today - among the latest victims of seemingly random violence in Iraq as Prime Minister Nouri Maliki steps up his efforts to bring insurgents into the political process.

Insurgent and government officials said 11 militant groups have offered an immediate halt to all attacks – including those on American troops – if the United States agrees to withdraw foreign forces from Iraq in two years.