Baghdad, Nov 21: Explosions shook Iraq's oil ministry this morning, witnesses said, and thick black smoke poured from the heavily guarded compound. Fire trucks moved about the ministry and US soldiers kept journalists away. Imad Ahmed, a retired civil servant who lives near the ministry, said he heard five explosions at about 7:30 am local time.

The attack occurred minutes after at least three rockets were fired into the Palestine and Sheraton hotels in downtown Baghdad where many US workers and foreign journalists are staying. Bureau Report