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Car Bomb, Ministry Fire in Tajik Capital


A car bomb has exploded outside a government ministry in Tajikistan's capital, killing the driver and wounding three other people.

Authorities say Monday's blast in Dushanbe outside the Emergencies Situations Ministry shattered windows and damaged several cars.

Shortly afterwards, a fire broke out in the Security Ministry. Interior Ministry officials say the blaze was caused by a short-circuit, and that there were no casualties.

The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe urged all American nationals in Tajikistan to exercise caution and observe heightened security measures.

The violence comes four weeks before parliamentary elections scheduled for February 27.

The former Soviet Republic suffered five years of civil war between pro-Moscow and Islamic forces. But the country has been relatively stable since 1997.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.

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