A suicide bomber has killed at least 21 people and wounded 27 near an Iraqi army recruitment center in Baghdad. An Internet statement attributed to the al Qaeda wing in Iraq said it carried out the attack.

The bomb exploded next to a truck carrying recruits into a former military airfield in the heart of the capital. A US army spokesperson said the bomber had been seen on foot.

But police described the incident as a mortar attack.

The army said the casualties did not include members of the coalition forces. Militants have stepped up their assault on Iraq's security forces, who the US hope can assume a greater role once a newly elected government takes office.

(CCTV.com February 10, 2005)