8 Dead, 31 Wounded in Baghdad Car Explosion

According to police sources and hospital security official Sgt. Sabah Muhsin, an outdoor market in eastern Baghdad was the scene of a terrible explosion today, which killed 8 persons and left 31 severely injured.

According to police Lt. Ahmed Mohammed, the explosion occurred in the Nahda area at 10 in the morning, when the market, full of customers buying old furniture, domestic goods and appliances, was extremely busy, since the Islamic weekend is approaching.

The blast comes at a very delicate time, when newly-elected Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, meets Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki later today, while announcing that he may soon be ready to name two of the most important officials of his cabinet, the ones to take over security responsibilities for the following 18 months.

The announcement came on Thursday, when 13 people were killed, including two US soldiers, by a roadside bomb in Baghdad.

According to police officer Maitham Adduraq, in a separate event, a US soldier was fortunate enough to be missed by another roadside bomb, which injured though three civilians traveling in a minibus. Police Brig. Khatab Omar stated that another roadside bomb hit a police patrol at 8.30 in the morning in Kirkuk, killing one police man and wounding four others.

The main security concern for Iraq right now is to restore order in Baghdad, where more than 5 million people reside, the capital having to confront many roadside bomb, suicide attacks and sectarian strife: "It is time for those who want to steal the smiles from the Iraqi people and turn its women into mourners to be silenced," said Salam Zikam Ali-Zubaie, Sunni Deputy Prime Minister, who is currently taking care of defense businesses as well.

"We are forming a force to protect Baghdad by the best and trained elements in the interior and defense ministries. They will be under one leadership and under the direct supervision of the prime minister," said President Jalal Talabani in an interview with al-Furat TV.