Large blast rocks Iraqi capital

A large blast has rocked the centre of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
Smoke was seen rising from an area near the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses Iraq's interim government and the US embassy. There have been no immediate reports on the cause of the blast and casualties. Details are still coming in. Insurgents have been staging regular attacks across the country, as Iraqis prepares for general elections due on 30 January.
These are the first news leaks ,more 's to come....

news.bbc.co.uk...

Ellections ,must go on..somehow

A car bomb has exploded in western Baghdad, near the party headquarters of the interim prime minister, wounding seven police officers and three civilians, officials say.

Smoke was seen rising on Monday near the Green Zone compound where the interim Iraqi government of Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and the US embassy are.

Allawi was not in the area at the time of the blast, said officials in the prime minister's office.

US and Iraqi troops sealed off the area and helicopters buzzed overhead.

Earlier this month, a car bomber targeted the same offices of Allawi's party. Four people were killed and 25 injured in that attack.

Fighters targeting US-led troops and Iraq's interim government have mounted frequent car bomb attacks and ambushes against Iraqi security forces in the run-up to the country's 30 January elections.

english.aljazeera