Bush rejects withdrawal from Iraq; Explosions in Baghdad and two attacks in Kerbalaa

The Iraqi capital Baghdad was shaken yesterday by a series of explosions which seemed to have hit the headquarters of the American forces there. The explosions were followed by mortars from the west bank of Tigris river aimed atat the headquarters of the American administration situated in a large complex that used to be one of the former palaces of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Meantime, Musil airport, which is used by the American forces as headquarters, was exposed to a similar attack by anti tanks missiles. The occupation forces besieged the area surrounding the airport and certain helicopters flew in search of the attackers on which witnesses said they fired from a car and then escaped.

In Karbala city, three Iraqis were wounded in a bomb explosion near a hotel situated in the downtown of the city. Witnesses said that the three wounded are in grave condition and that the front of the hotel was greatly damaged.

The attack came just a little time after the declaration of the US President George W. Bush of his country's position to challenge the operations against the occupation forces in Iraq, carried out by whom he had described as the enemies. Bush stressed that these operations will not undermine the determination of the US to continue necessary steps to enhance its security. "This collection of killers is trying to shake the will of America. We will not be intimidated," George W. Bush said yesterday.

Meantime, the bodies of 16 US soldiers killed when their chopper was downed in Iraq on Sunday at a US army base in Germany. Their bodies will be transported later to Colorado.

The White house said that what is taking place in Iraq has links to September 11, 2001 attacks.