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Cheney arrives in Iraqi capital Cheney in Baghdad for key talks
(about 2 hours later)
US Vice-President Dick Cheney has arrived in Iraq's capital Baghdad, amid an ongoing drive by the US military to contain spiralling violence. US Vice-President Dick Cheney is meeting Iraqi leaders in Baghdad, amid an ongoing drive by the US military to contain spiralling violence.
After meeting US generals, Mr Cheney is expected to urge Iraqi leaders to work harder to heal political rifts.After meeting US generals, Mr Cheney is expected to urge Iraqi leaders to work harder to heal political rifts.
His trip follows an announcement that 35,000 more US troops may be sent to Iraq to maintain current levels.His trip follows an announcement that 35,000 more US troops may be sent to Iraq to maintain current levels.
A truck bomb has meanwhile killed at least 19 people in Irbil, a city in Iraq's usually peaceful Kurdish region.A truck bomb has meanwhile killed at least 19 people in Irbil, a city in Iraq's usually peaceful Kurdish region.
Another 70 people were hurt in the explosion.
Television pictures showed the blast had destroyed a building and left a large crater on a road where interior ministry offices are located.
A witness quoted by Reuters news agency spoke of "fire coming out from the blast area. A man was burned to death."
A security official, First Lt Mariwan Kareem, told the agency the explosives in the truck had been hidden under kitchen cleaning products. The blast took place at 0800 local time.
A policeman evacuates a casualty from the Irbil explosion
The near-daily bombings and instability that have gripped much of Iraq remain rare in the autonomous Kurdish northern region.
However, political tensions are rising over the drafting of a bill that will redistribute oil wealth among the country's Kurdish, Sunni and Shia population.
Most of Iraq's oil is concentrated around the Kurdish north and Shia south.
Irbil last saw a major attack in May 2005, when the offices of a local political party were hit by a suicide bomber.
Summer vacation
Upon arriving in Baghdad, Mr Cheney held talks with the US envoy to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, and the top commander of US forces in the country, Gen David Petraeus.Upon arriving in Baghdad, Mr Cheney held talks with the US envoy to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, and the top commander of US forces in the country, Gen David Petraeus.
"There's a lot going on. This is a very important time. There's a lot to talk about," he said."There's a lot going on. This is a very important time. There's a lot to talk about," he said.
Mr Cheney is later scheduled to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, President Jalal Talabani and several members of the cabinet. Mr Cheney is scheduled to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, President Jalal Talabani and several members of the cabinet.
Ambassador Crocker said the vice president would try to dissuade Iraqi politicians from taking a two-month vacation this summer.Ambassador Crocker said the vice president would try to dissuade Iraqi politicians from taking a two-month vacation this summer.
"For the Iraqi parliament to take a two-month vacation in summer is impossible to understand," he said, given the "major effort" being made by US and Iraqi security forces."For the Iraqi parliament to take a two-month vacation in summer is impossible to understand," he said, given the "major effort" being made by US and Iraqi security forces.
Congressional battleCongressional battle
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has told 35,000 US troops they may be required in Iraq this autumn.Meanwhile, the Pentagon has told 35,000 US troops they may be required in Iraq this autumn.
President Bush has already placed an extra 30,000 troops in Iraq as part of a push to contain soaring unrest.President Bush has already placed an extra 30,000 troops in Iraq as part of a push to contain soaring unrest.
The latest Pentagon order would enable this push to be maintained until the end of the year, if neccessary.The latest Pentagon order would enable this push to be maintained until the end of the year, if neccessary.
However, a defence department spokesman said no decision had yet been taken on prolonging the current surge.However, a defence department spokesman said no decision had yet been taken on prolonging the current surge.
In Washington, the president's Republican party is battling Democratic rivals who want Congress to place checks on funding the war in Iraq.In Washington, the president's Republican party is battling Democratic rivals who want Congress to place checks on funding the war in Iraq.
Irbil attack
In northern Iraq, the Irbil bombing injured about 70 people.
A policeman evacuates a casualty from the Irbil explosionTelevision pictures showed the blast had destroyed a building and left a large crater on a road where interior ministry offices are located.
A witness quoted by Reuters news agency spoke of "fire coming out from the blast area. A man was burned to death."
A security official, First Lt Mariwan Kareem, told the agency the explosives in the truck had been hidden under kitchen cleaning products. The blast took place at 0800 local time.
The near-daily bombings and instability that have gripped much of Iraq remain rare in the autonomous Kurdish northern region.
However, political tensions are rising over the drafting of a bill that will redistribute oil wealth among the country's Kurdish, Sunni and Shia population.
Most of Iraq's oil is concentrated around the Kurdish north and Shia south.
Irbil last saw a major attack in May 2005, when the offices of a local political party were hit by a suicide bomber.