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The blast came shortly before dawn, severely damaging a city centre hotel and also hitting a nearby police station.

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The explosion, apparently caused by a car bomb, left several burning vehicles in its wake.

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American troops were swiftly on the scene and helped treat and remove the injured.

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At least three people were killed and several wounded.

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The bomb appeared to have been hidden in an ambulance that drove up to the hotel at high speed.

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Relatives of the victims wept at the scene of the attack, in which the Iraqi labour minister narrowly escaped being killed.

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The blast also hit a police post across the street from the hotel.

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The hotel was in an upmarket district and frequently used by foreign businessmen - some were staying there when the explosion occurred.