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Fresh bombs shake Iraqi capital Fresh bombs shake Iraqi capital
(20 minutes later)
A series of suicide car bombings and roadside blasts in Baghdad has killed about 15 people, including members of the police and security services.A series of suicide car bombings and roadside blasts in Baghdad has killed about 15 people, including members of the police and security services.
In the worst attack a car bomb exploded at a petrol station used by Iraqi police, killing at least five people.In the worst attack a car bomb exploded at a petrol station used by Iraqi police, killing at least five people.
About 15 people were wounded in the blast, which also damaged 20 police and civilian cars waiting to refuel.About 15 people were wounded in the blast, which also damaged 20 police and civilian cars waiting to refuel.
The attacks came hours before the US was due to hand formal control of the Iraqi army to Iraq's prime minister.The attacks came hours before the US was due to hand formal control of the Iraqi army to Iraq's prime minister.
A US military spokesman called it one of the most significant steps in handing power back to Iraqis since the formation of the first democratically elected government in the post-Saddam era.A US military spokesman called it one of the most significant steps in handing power back to Iraqis since the formation of the first democratically elected government in the post-Saddam era.
Spate of attacksSpate of attacks
In one of the attacks, insurgents killed three civilians and wounded 20 more in a roadside bombing near the Sunni al-Nida mosque, in a largely Shia area of north-east Baghdad, security officials said.In one of the attacks, insurgents killed three civilians and wounded 20 more in a roadside bombing near the Sunni al-Nida mosque, in a largely Shia area of north-east Baghdad, security officials said.
Schoolgirl Marwa Faris lost her father in one attackThe bomb exploded as a police patrol was passing the area, officials said, and several security force members were injured. The bomb exploded as a police patrol was passing the area, officials said, and several security force members were injured.
In the western Mansour district, a roadside bomb killed a man as he was driving his daughter to school for an exam. Fifteen-year-old Marwa Faris and a passer-by were also injured.In the western Mansour district, a roadside bomb killed a man as he was driving his daughter to school for an exam. Fifteen-year-old Marwa Faris and a passer-by were also injured.
A suicide car bomb also exploded near a road tunnel in the centre of Baghdad, killing two civilians and two police special forces officers, and wounding 13 people.A suicide car bomb also exploded near a road tunnel in the centre of Baghdad, killing two civilians and two police special forces officers, and wounding 13 people.
A roadside bomb also targeted a police patrol in the central Karrada district, killing a civilian and wounding two others.A roadside bomb also targeted a police patrol in the central Karrada district, killing a civilian and wounding two others.
Meanwhile, Iraqi TV reported that a nephew of Iraqi parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani had been kidnapped. Gunmen snatched Ahmed al-Mashhadani on Wednesday night in northern Baghdad, al-Sharqiya TV reported.Meanwhile, Iraqi TV reported that a nephew of Iraqi parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani had been kidnapped. Gunmen snatched Ahmed al-Mashhadani on Wednesday night in northern Baghdad, al-Sharqiya TV reported.
Uncertain timetable
The handover ceremony putting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in direct control of the military is five days later than scheduled, although the delay has not been explained.
The first units to be transferred are Iraq's small navy and air force, and the 8th Army Division stationed in Najaf.
But correspondents say it is unclear how fast the complete transfer of security control can be achieved.
"It's the prime minister's decision how rapidly he wants to move along with assuming control," said US spokesman Maj Gen William Caldwell on Wednesday.
"They can move as rapidly thereafter as they want. I know, conceptually, they've talked about perhaps two divisions a month," Maj Gen Caldwell said.
US-led forces disbanded what was left of the Iraqi army after they overthrew Saddam Hussein's rule in 2003.
Since then, the coalition has been training and equipping new Iraqi forces with a view to their taking over security and allowing the eventual withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.