Four killed in Baghdad suicide blast

BAGHDAD - At least four people were killed and 10 injured Monday in a suicide bombing near the Baghdad office of the al-Arabiya satellite television station.

The interior ministry said the suicide bomber had driven a small explosives-laden vehicle into al-Harithiya in western Baghdad where the broadcaster is located.

“The car was searched at one checkpoint but was allowed to move ahead,” said Qassem Atta, an official from the ministry told al-Arabiya TV.

Atta said he had information that a branch of the Al Qaeda terrorist network had been planning to attack the television station.

The office of former prime minister Iyad Allawi, the head of the parliamentary bloc which won most seats in the March 7 parliamentary elections, is located near the al-Arabiya office.