Bomb explode near Baghdad Green Zone as US official visits

Two powerful bombs exploded just outside Baghdad's tightly-guarded Green Zone on Tuesday as US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte was due to address reporters inside, an AFP correspondent said.

An Iraqi military officer said at least one soldier was wounded in the explosions which went off in quick succession.

The first blast targeted an Iraqi armoured vehicle, and a car bomb went off minutes later at a nearby car park opposite the foreign ministry, on the edge of the Green Zone where Iraq's government and the US embassy are located.

Witnesses said a limpet-type magnetic mine had been used in the first attack against the armoured vehicle which was parked at a security check point leading to the Green Zone.

Several cars were damaged and firefighters put out the flames before they could spread to other cars.

Minutes after the attacks, Negroponte began his press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.