U.S. military officials in Iraq say four people were killed when a car exploded today (Monday) near the Baghdad compound that houses the U.S.-led coalition headquarters.
A spokesman (Colonel Mike Murray) says the military is trying to determine what caused the blast. He says the nationality of those killed remains unknown.
About an hour later, witnesses heard a loud explosion from inside the compound, and saw smoke rising above the coalition headquarters. Coalition spokesmen say they heard the blast but had no information on the cause.
Last week, a suicide car bombing at a checkpoint outside coalition headquarters killed the president of the Iraqi Governing Council and several other Iraqis.
Meanwhile, in other developments, the United States is expected to outline its plan for Iraq's political future today in a draft resolution to be introduced to the United Nations Security Council.
Security Council members are expected to meet in private to discuss details of the proposal, such as what limitations there will be on Iraq's sovereignty after U.S. forces hand over authority in the country on June 30th. The future role of the United Nations in Iraq and how long forces of the U.S. led coalition will remain in the country also are expected to be key topics at the Security Council session.
Later today, President Bush will detail U.S. plans for the transfer of power in a speech at the U.S. Army War College(in Carlisle, Pennsylvania). The White House says this is the first of several addresses about Iraq the president will make during the next month.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.