IRAQ 1/6/2004 12:36 BAGHDAD: BLASTS NEAR GOVERNING BUILDING AS NEW PRESIDENT IS NAMED General, Brief At least 25 people were killed â based on a preliminary toll â in explosions today in the so-called âgreen zoneâ of Baghdad, location of the capital of the former palace of Saddam Hussein, where this morning the Interim Government and Coalition Authorities reached an accord on the name of Ghazi Yawar as the new Interim President of Iraq as of June 30. According to the Iraqi police, the blasts took place outside the offices of a Kurd party, situated near the Iraqi foreign ministry at the entrance of the âgreen zoneâ. According to the âAl Jazeeraâ satellite TV also numerous were wounded in the blasts. The exact circumstances of the events remain unclear; various witnesses referred that aside from the explosions, also shooting could be heard in and around the area where the interim government is meeting, controlled by the Americans. Despite the continuing attacks, this morning in the âgreen zoneâ political decisions were taken for the future of the nation. The Iraqi Governing Council chose as president the tribal leader Yawar; based on international agency reports, Adnan Pachachi â first candidate for the post as president â refused the nomination. While in Baghdad columns of smoke are billowing over the scene of the blasts, from the north news arrives of a suicide attack against the US military base in Baiji, around 200km from the capital. According to an Iraqi security official, a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into the complex, claiming victims. Some sources say two people were killed, while others place the toll at 11 civilians killed and 26 wounded. [BO
