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Iraq suicide bomb hits fuel lorry US defence chief arrives in Iraq
(about 2 hours later)
At least 11 people were killed after a suicide car bomber rammed a fuel lorry in Iraq's capital Baghdad, police say. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has arrived in Iraq on a previously unannounced visit.
Mr Gates flew to Baghdad from Israel, where he told reporters he wanted to see "faster progress" towards political reconciliation in Iraq.
His visit came a day after bombings in Baghdad killed nearly 200 people. At least 11 people died in another blast in the capital on Thursday.
The violence was the worst since a US-led security push began in February.
It is Mr Gates' third visit to Iraq since he took office in December.
As he set off for Baghdad, the defence secretary said the Iraqi leadership must be aware that the US' military commitment to the country was not "open-ended".
Some 28,000 extra US troops were ordered to Iraq as part of President Bush's security offensive in Baghdad.
'Soldiers of Satan'
Shortly before Mr Gates arrived in the Iraqi capital, at least 11 people died when a suicide car bomber rammed a fuel lorry in Baghdad, police say.
Another 21 people were injured in the blast, which happened in the mainly Shia Karrada district of the city at 1315 local time (0915 GMT).Another 21 people were injured in the blast, which happened in the mainly Shia Karrada district of the city at 1315 local time (0915 GMT).
Separately, the army said 20 insurgents had been killed and 84 arrested in operations across Iraq.Separately, the army said 20 insurgents had been killed and 84 arrested in operations across Iraq.
The events come a day after a wave of bombings in Baghdad killed nearly 200 people, including 140 in a food market. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki condemned Wednesday's bombings, describing those behind the attacks as "soldiers of Satan".
The violence was the worst since the beginning of a US security operation. He also ordered the arrest of the army commander responsible for security in Sadriya district, where 140 people died in a blast at a food market.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki condemned Wednesday's bombings, describing those behind the attacks as "soldiers of Satan". Car and suicide bombings have occurred almost daily in Baghdad in recent months, despite the security crackdown.
It's a tragedy - devastation covers the whole area, it's as if a volcano erupted here Akram AbdullahShop-owner
He also ordered the arrest of the army commander responsible for security in Sadriya district, where the market is located.
Many of the victims were buried in morning ceremonies on Thursday.
Some victims were mourned in collective wakes in huge tents overlooking the site of the attack, while onlookers gathered round craters caused by the bomb.
"It's a tragedy - devastation covers the whole area. It's as if a volcano erupted here," shop-owner Akram Abdullah told the Associated Press news agency.
Attacks on Shias
Several other attacks on Wednesday killed at least 48 people, 35 of them at a police checkpoint in Sadr City.
Car and suicide bombings have occurred almost daily in Baghdad in recent months, despite an ongoing US-led security crackdown.
The bombers are proving that they can slip through the tightened security net, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad.The bombers are proving that they can slip through the tightened security net, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad.
Most of the attacks have been in Shia areas, increasing pressure for the Shia militias to step up their campaign of reprisal killings against the Sunni community in which the insurgents are based, says our correspondent.Most of the attacks have been in Shia areas, increasing pressure for the Shia militias to step up their campaign of reprisal killings against the Sunni community in which the insurgents are based, says our correspondent.
American commanders say they are still in the process of implementing the plan - there are still more troops to arrive, and US and Iraqi forces are still bedding down.American commanders say they are still in the process of implementing the plan - there are still more troops to arrive, and US and Iraqi forces are still bedding down.
The operation does appear to have been successful in reducing sectarian shootings.