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Iraq town hit by deadly car bomb Iraq town hit by deadly car bomb
(20 minutes later)
At least 17 people have been killed in a car bomb attack in the Iraqi town of Balad, police have reported. At least 23 people have been killed in a car bomb attack in the Iraqi town of Balad, the US military has said.
About 40 people were also injured in the incident, officials said. About 40 people were also injured in the incident, police officials said.
A spokesman told the BBC that the blast happened near an Iraqi army checkpoint in the market town, which lies to the north of the capital Baghdad. A police spokesman told the BBC that the blast happened near an Iraqi army checkpoint in the market town, which is north of the capital Baghdad.
The blast was reported as US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Baghdad for talks with US military leaders and Iraqi government officials.The blast was reported as US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Baghdad for talks with US military leaders and Iraqi government officials.
"It was a suicide car bomber. The attack took place at 1630 (1330 GMT) when the market was very busy," Colonel Issa Ayan, a police official in Salaheddin province, told the AFP news agency."It was a suicide car bomber. The attack took place at 1630 (1330 GMT) when the market was very busy," Colonel Issa Ayan, a police official in Salaheddin province, told the AFP news agency.
Some buildings have collapsed and people have been reported missing since the explosion, he said, adding that the death toll may rise as bodies are uncovered from the rubble.Some buildings have collapsed and people have been reported missing since the explosion, he said, adding that the death toll may rise as bodies are uncovered from the rubble.
Some reports put the death toll at 33.Some reports put the death toll at 33.
High-level visitHigh-level visit
Mr Gates is in Baghdad for talks on US troop levels in the light of what the US sees as the improving security situation in Iraq.Mr Gates is in Baghdad for talks on US troop levels in the light of what the US sees as the improving security situation in Iraq.
He will also start talks on a pact to define the future relationship between Baghdad and Washington.He will also start talks on a pact to define the future relationship between Baghdad and Washington.
Mr Gates told reporters travelling with him on the plane to Baghdad that Iraq's political leaders are making progress towards reconciliation.
"They seem to have become energised over the last few weeks," he said, adding that he wants to see "what the prospects are for further success in the next couple of months".
After arriving in Baghdad, he went into a meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the top US commander in Iraq General David Petraeus and American ambassador Ryan Crocker.
US officials attribute improved security to the growth of neighbourhood police units and say basic service provision should get better as the security situation improves.US officials attribute improved security to the growth of neighbourhood police units and say basic service provision should get better as the security situation improves.
"What's necessary to come behind security... are essential services... part of that is through the central government's distribution of funds into the provinces," US military spokesman Rear Admiral Greg Smith told Reuters news agency."What's necessary to come behind security... are essential services... part of that is through the central government's distribution of funds into the provinces," US military spokesman Rear Admiral Greg Smith told Reuters news agency.