Blast in Iraq Kills 10 People

A car bomb explosion on Tuesday, in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, caused the death of at least 10 people; the minibus exploded outside one of the holiest shrines in Shiite Islam.

The target of the attack was not clear, but it was probably aimed at pilgrims and political demonstrators. Maj. Emad Muhammad, the Najaf police patrol chief, said the target were the demonstrations for Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari. The minibus was parked among the buses used to transport coffins.

The blast, besides injuring several people, also destroyed brick tombs just inside the graveyard. Violence is continuing since February 22, when it has been ignited by the bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra, north of Baghdad. The bombing started the bloodiest sectarian violence since the 2003 invasion led by U.S. troops, over 1,000 people being killed so far.

Meanwhile, Shiite politicians blocked a bid, trying to block to break the deadlock on forming a new government. U.S. military officials also announced the arrest of a top insurgent leader, who they believe is responsible for last year's kidnapping of Italian journalist Guiliana Sgrena.

U.S. officials think that they best way to escape the violence is for Iraqis to form a government of national unity following December elections. Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish already began discussion but hit a dead end when the Shiites opposed the nomination Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari for a second term.

Al-Jaafari refused to give up his position, even after being pressured by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. "So I have no hesitation in giving up this position, but the question is who is the one to decide? If my people decide, I will obey. If the parliament agreed in the legal way for me to step aside, I will. The people elected this parliament, so whatever they say I will do it," Al-Jaafari replied.