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Iraq MPs debate parliament attack Iraq MPs debate parliament attack
(40 minutes later)
Iraq's parliament is holding a special session on what is normally a day of rest - in a defiant response to a suicide bombing inside its building.Iraq's parliament is holding a special session on what is normally a day of rest - in a defiant response to a suicide bombing inside its building.
Turnout was low because of increased security measures and a strict travel curfew, a government spokesman said.
Two MPs were among the eight people killed on Thursday when a bomber infiltrated a tight security cordon and detonated explosives in a cafeteria.Two MPs were among the eight people killed on Thursday when a bomber infiltrated a tight security cordon and detonated explosives in a cafeteria.
Iraq's national security adviser said the attack was an offence against millions of Iraqis.
An inquiry has begun into the blast in Baghdad's heavily-fortified area.An inquiry has begun into the blast in Baghdad's heavily-fortified area.
US President George W Bush condemned the attack and said the US would help Iraq defend itself against extremists. One report says police are questioning three workers from the cafeteria where the bomb went off.
"It reminds us, though, that there is an enemy willing to bomb innocent people and a symbol of democracy," President Bush said. A senior Iraqi lawmaker told Reuters news agency that no charges had been filed, adding that some parliamentary guards were also helping police with their investigation.
The US government has denied that the attack shows its troop increase in the capital is having little impact on security. It reminds us that there is an enemy willing to bomb innocent people and a symbol of democracy US President George W Bush
Police said they believed a suicide bomber was involved in the attack, which also injured at least 23 people. The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says one of the theories being investigated is that the bomber, who may have worn a belt of explosives, could have been a bodyguard to a member of parliament.
The canteen was just filling up... the session was just ending and all of a sudden there was just this huge explosion MP Haydar Abbadi
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says one of the theories being investigated is that the bomber, who may have worn a belt of explosives, could have been bodyguard to a member of parliament.
Questions will be asked about how the bomber managed to penetrate one of the most stringently guarded buildings in the country, he says.Questions will be asked about how the bomber managed to penetrate one of the most stringently guarded buildings in the country, he says.
This is the first time a bomb has gone off inside the building although it has been shaken by several mortar attacks in the past.This is the first time a bomb has gone off inside the building although it has been shaken by several mortar attacks in the past.
Bomber's journeyBomber's journey
The bomber would have had to pass through a checkpoint manned by US and Iraqi forces on the edge of the Green Zone and then through several checkpoints run by security contractors.The bomber would have had to pass through a checkpoint manned by US and Iraqi forces on the edge of the Green Zone and then through several checkpoints run by security contractors.
An Iraqi government spokesman told the Associated Press news agency that a private security firm had been responsible for guarding the parliament building, but that the interior ministry had now taken over security.An Iraqi government spokesman told the Associated Press news agency that a private security firm had been responsible for guarding the parliament building, but that the interior ministry had now taken over security.
Footage showed officials carrying the injured from the buildingOne MP questioned the parliament's checks, telling the BBC's World Today programme that some MPs' bodyguards were allowed to pass through checkpoints without being searched.Footage showed officials carrying the injured from the buildingOne MP questioned the parliament's checks, telling the BBC's World Today programme that some MPs' bodyguards were allowed to pass through checkpoints without being searched.
The attack is a major blow to the much-trumpeted Baghdad security surge now in its third month, our correspondent says.The attack is a major blow to the much-trumpeted Baghdad security surge now in its third month, our correspondent says.
The security drive has brought down the rate of sectarian murders, but it has not stopped the bomb attacks.The security drive has brought down the rate of sectarian murders, but it has not stopped the bomb attacks.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said the attack was a "criminal cowardly act" and that the violence would not weaken MPs' resolve.Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said the attack was a "criminal cowardly act" and that the violence would not weaken MPs' resolve.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the attack did not prove that the increased number of troops, whose main aim was to improve security in and around Baghdad, was not working. US President George W Bush condemned the attack and said the US would help Iraq defend itself against extremists.
"There will be good days and bad days. But the commanders are carrying out their responsibilities and working to try to make the population more secure," Ms Rice said. "It reminds us, though, that there is an enemy willing to bomb innocent people and a symbol of democracy," President Bush said.
The US government has denied that the attack shows its troop increase in the capital is having little impact on security.