12 Dead In Car Bomb In Southern Iraq

U.S. troops secure the site of an explosion in Tahryat Square, central Baghdad, yesterday (epa) May 30, 2006 -- A car bomb struck a car dealership today in the southern Iraqi city of Hillah, killing at least 12 people and wounding 32.

Another two car bombings killed at least 31 people in separate neighborhoods of Baghdad. And two female Interior Ministry employees were killed by a mortar round fired at the ministry.

Also today, Iraqi officials say security forces have arrested a suspected insurgent, identified as Ahmed Hussein Dabash Samer al-Battawi, who is being blamed for the deaths of hundreds of civilians.

Amid the ongoing violence, the U.S. military announced the deployment of 1,500 additional troops to Iraq to help restore order in western Al Anbar province.

(compiled from agency reports)