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Iraqi Insurgents Kill 5 in Bus Bombing


Iraqi police say insurgents bombed a minibus Saturday in a Shi'ite neighborhood in eastern Baghdad, killing five people.

Authorities say another 11 people were wounded when the bomb went off in the bus in the capital's Baladiyat neighborhood.

Also Saturday, the Iraqi army said troops killed five militants and detained 46 others in an operation in eastern Diyala province, near the Iranian border.

U.S.-led coalition forces said a soldier died Saturday from injuries he sustained on Friday, in an explosion near his vehicle during operations in Diyala province.

And, the U.S. military says coalition forces detained 14 suspected terrorists Saturday in central and western Iraq.

Military officials say the raids targeting al-Qaida in Iraq networks took place around Taji, Fallujah and Balad.

Also, U.S. military commanders in Iraq said Friday more time will be needed for coalition troops to stabilize Iraq and train Iraqi security forces to keep the peace.

Major-General Walter Gaskin, the U.S. commander in al-Anbar province, said there has been a steady decline in enemy attacks in Anbar this year. But he said it will take another couple of years to build up Iraqi forces so they can take over security responsibilities.

Another commander, Major-General Rick Lynch, said in an interview with the Associated Press that if the buildup is reversed before this time next year, the military risks giving up recent security gains. General Lynch commands coalition forces south of Baghdad.

The forecasts come as politicians in Washington debate the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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