Three dead in blast outside Al-Arabiya Baghdad office: US military

BAGHDAD (AFP) - At least three people were killed and several wounded when a car bomb ripped through the streets outside Al-Arabiya television's offices in Baghdad, a US military officer at the scene said.
Captain David Mineschek said three people had been killed and many more wounded when the car bomb exploded in the central Mansour neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, the Dubai-based satellite station, said around seven of its staffers were wounded, and police spokesman Sami al-Saadun told Al-Arabiya the explosion injured 16 passers-by.
The blast erupted in front of a car park just across from the channel's offices. It was not clear if Al-Arabiya was targeted, a correspondent of the channel said.
The bomb set off a fire, which also caused substantial damage, the correspondent added. US-led forces and Iraqi police rushed to the scene, she said.
The offices are also used by staffers of Al-Arabiya's sister television MBC, as well as staffers of the Saudi government's news channel Al-Ikhbariya, the correspondent added.
The explosion occurred at about 2:10 pm (1110 GMT)
"It was a very loud explosion. The windows inside my office were shattered," said Hassan Ahmed, who works in the area.

10/30/2004 - 13:46 GMT - AFP