The Iraqi authorities have imposed a curfew on the city of Baquba following a suicide bomb attack near a convoy carrying the provincial governor.

Governor Raad Rasheed was not hurt, but at least one civilian died when the attacker detonated an explosives-packed vest in the Diyala province capital.

Iraqi officials said the curfew would last until Wednesday morning.

Iraqi and US forces have been carrying out a major offensive against insurgents over the past two weeks.

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But the US military said it would continue operations in the restive province, said to be the last remaining sanctuary for al-Qaeda-linked militants in Iraq.

"We must capture or kill the hardcore terrorists that are residing now out in the hinterlands," said Maj Gen Mark Hertling, commander of US forces in northern Iraq.

Reports differ as to whether Tuesday's attack was carried out by a woman or a man dressed as a woman.

Police said the attacker detonated explosives before the governor's convoy, which was also carrying a top Iraqi army commander, Lt Gen Ali Otbi, had passed.

On Monday, a female suicide bomber struck a checkpoint at a market in Baquba, killing a policeman and wounding 14 people.

(BBC)

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