This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6201736.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US and Iraqi forces raid Baquba US and Iraqi forces raid Baquba
(about 1 hour later)
Iraqi and US forces have raided insurgent strongholds in the city of Baquba, scene of some of the worst violence and instability in Iraq.Iraqi and US forces have raided insurgent strongholds in the city of Baquba, scene of some of the worst violence and instability in Iraq.
More than 30 suspected insurgents were arrested, Iraqi and US officials said.More than 30 suspected insurgents were arrested, Iraqi and US officials said.
Violence continued around Iraq on Saturday, while south of Baghdad some 20 people waiting at a bus station were killed when a truck ran into them. In Baghdad, police said at least 24 people were killed when three cars bombs exploded in the centre of the capital in quick succession.
A top Shia leader, who is due to meet President Bush, has rejected calls for an international conference on Iraq.A top Shia leader, who is due to meet President Bush, has rejected calls for an international conference on Iraq.
Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (Sciri), described the suggestion by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan as "unrealistic, incorrect and illegal".Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (Sciri), described the suggestion by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan as "unrealistic, incorrect and illegal".
Iraq's problems must be solved at home, says Mr HakimIraq's problems must be solved at home, says Mr Hakim
Mr Annan had said that it could be helpful to hold an international conference outside Iraq bringing together all the country's political parties to discuss ways of halting the violence.Mr Annan had said that it could be helpful to hold an international conference outside Iraq bringing together all the country's political parties to discuss ways of halting the violence.
But Mr Hakim said Iraq's problems needed to be solved at home, adding that only the government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki was qualified to find a solution to the conflict because it had been democratically elected.But Mr Hakim said Iraq's problems needed to be solved at home, adding that only the government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki was qualified to find a solution to the conflict because it had been democratically elected.
"This government was formed on the basis of a coalition and it is therefore unacceptable for the Iraqi people that these questions should be debated at international conferences," said Mr Hakim, whose group holds a majority of seats in the Iraqi parliament and has close ties with Iran."This government was formed on the basis of a coalition and it is therefore unacceptable for the Iraqi people that these questions should be debated at international conferences," said Mr Hakim, whose group holds a majority of seats in the Iraqi parliament and has close ties with Iran.
Its former military wing has been accused of involvement in sectarian violence.Its former military wing has been accused of involvement in sectarian violence.
Mr Hakim is due to meet President Bush in Washington on Monday to discuss ways of ending the violence.Mr Hakim is due to meet President Bush in Washington on Monday to discuss ways of ending the violence.
CrashCrash
Saturday's joint Iraqi-US operation in Baquba, 60km (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, was described as an attempt to "secure" the city, a US military statement said.Saturday's joint Iraqi-US operation in Baquba, 60km (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, was described as an attempt to "secure" the city, a US military statement said.
Baquba lies in a mixed Sunni and Shia province where attacks by Sunni insurgents against the Iraqi security forces have been common.Baquba lies in a mixed Sunni and Shia province where attacks by Sunni insurgents against the Iraqi security forces have been common.
At least nine people were killed in and around Baghdad on Saturday, including a policeman who died when gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint outside west Baghdad's main Yarmouk hospital, Reuters reported.At least nine people were killed in and around Baghdad on Saturday, including a policeman who died when gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint outside west Baghdad's main Yarmouk hospital, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, police are investigating the crash that left some 20 people dead and several injured. Meanwhile, police are investigating a crash south of Baghdad that left some 20 people dead and several injured.
A truck travelling at high speed ploughed into commuters waiting at busy bus station in a town south of Baghdad. A truck travelling at high speed ploughed into commuters waiting at busy bus station.