IRAQ: Attacks in Baghdad, including a car bomb close to a Shia mosque, killed at least 60 people yesterday. President George W. Bush told Iraqis who feared civil war that they faced a choice between "chaos or unity".
As deposed leader Saddam Hussein returned to court after the worst week of sectarian violence since the US invasion, three bombs in succession killed 32 people. After dark, a car bomb killed at least 23 near the Shia mosque and a market.
"The choice is chaos or unity," said Mr Bush as the ruling Shias warned that sectarian bloodshed, which has killed hundreds since a bomb destroyed a major Shia shrine last Wednesday, could mean months of delay in bringing Sunnis into the national unity government Washington is pushing hard for them to form.
Fears of an all-out war have seen people barricading neighbourhoods or fleeing homes.
Saddam, looking subdued after ending a hunger strike, was brought into court to hear prosecutors present evidence that included what they said was a death warrant for 148 Shia men signed by him in 1984. He has justified harsh measures during his years in power by the need to stop Iraq breaking apart.
The prime minister's office issued a statement putting the total death toll over six days at 379 "martyrs" and denied reports that it was well over 1,000.
However, the Baghdad morgue alone said it had received 309 bodies since Wednesday, most victims of violence. Morgue data showed this was double the average.
Mr Bush recalled his telephone calls to Iraqi leaders on Saturday that led to an emergency meeting of all parties. He said: "They have made their choice, which is to work toward a unity government."
The Sunni minority's main political bloc, however, said it was not ready to end the boycott of US-backed talks.
Admitting bloodshed had stalled efforts to forge a unity government 11 weeks after Sunnis took part in their first US-sponsored election, national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, a senior member of the ruling Shia alliance, said: "If we are lucky it will take us at least two months."
Two British soldiers were killed in Shia southern Iraq, and US forces reported the death of an American soldier.
Activity on Baghdad's streets was quieter than normal after Monday's lifting of a three-day curfew. Many people said they were staying at home for fear of violence, although many also said they were afraid of guerrillas attacking them at home.
Within minutes of Saddam's trial restarting, his two lead defence counsel walked out when requests for a further adjournment and the removal of the chief judge were rejected.