The death toll of a car bomb explosion outside a restaurant in northern Baghdad on Thursday rose to four killed and 25 others injured, an Interior Ministry source said.

"Our latest reports said that up to four people were killed and 25 others injured in the car bombing in Shu'la neighborhood," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Earlier, the source put the toll at two killed and six injured in the explosion during breakfast time, the source said.

The restaurant is frequently patronized by policemen and construction workers, the source said.

The blast also damaged two nearby shops and several civilian cars, the source added.

Despite security gains in recent months in Iraq, there are still sporadic bombings, which shape setback to the Iraqi government.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2008)