One Iraqi killed in an explosion in Baghdad

The American army said that one Iraqi was killed and several persons wounded yesterday morning in an attack by a booby trapped car, in what seems to be in front of a hotel in the downtown of Baghdad. An America military spokesman said he does not have information that the explosion is made by a " suicide attacker."

Earlier, an officer in the Iraqi police said that three persons were killed at least in an explosion operation that caused heavy losses in Chahin hotel, where the operation resulted in destroying a police center in al-Karrada quarters in the downtown of Baghdad.

The commander of the police patrols in al-Karrada, Hussein Ali, stressed that the incident is an attack by a booby trapped car, noting that "testimonies which we have heard talked about the arrival of an ambulance at a high speed, and its blowing up in front of the hotel." News reports said that the hotel is inhabited by certain members of foreign companies and is adjoining the Polish embassy, and is was used to supervise the American interests before. The news reports added that the explosion took place yesterday morning and it is believed that the killed persons are British and remains of bodies were seen outside the building.

Witnesses said that ambulances hurried to the site of the explosion and transported several persons to the hospital while the occupation forces cordoned the area, and prevented journalists and people from approaching. This, however, comes after a bloody day following two separate attacks against the American forces in Iraq to the west of Baghdad resulted in killing 6 American soldiers and wounding other 3 within hours.