At least 450 Iraqis have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in fighting in the city of Falluja this week, the director of the main hospital, Mr Rafi Hayad, said today.
US Marines launched a major mission last weekend to confront guerrillas in the town. The US military claimed today it had agreed a temporary suspension of offensive operations in Falluja although there were conflicting reports that this ceasefire has been broken or had ended.
This morning US forces said they had unilaterally suspended military operations in the Sunni town of Falluja to allow humanitarian access and to try to start talks with insurgents, Iraq's US governor said.
"As of noon today coalition forces have initiated a unilateral suspension of offensive operations in Falluja to allow for a meeting between members of the Governing Council, the local Muslim leadership and the leadership of anti-coalition forces," Mr Paul Bremer told reporters.
Residents of the town west of Baghdad heard US war planes and a loud explosion an hour after the midday (8 a.m. GMT) ceasefire, but it was not possible to confirm whether there had been a US air strike. Smoke rose from a residential area after the blast.
The US military started a major offensive against Sunni insurgents in Falluja early this week. Hospital officials in the town have reported up to 300 Iraqis killed, and the Marines have also taken severe casualties.
"During this suspension period coalition forces retain the inherent right of self defence and will remain fully prepared to resume offensive operations unless significant progress in these discussions occurs," he said.
US forces have also re-taken the city of Kut from Shia militiamen, two days after it was abandoned by Ukrainian troops.