IRAQ: Opponents of the US-led occupation of Iraq last night marked the first anniversary of the invasion by firing at least two rockets or mortars at the headquarters of the US-led administration in Baghdad, but there were no reports of casualties.
The blasts came at the end of a day that saw a morale-boosting visit by the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, that was marred by the shooting dead, by US troops, of two journalists working for the Dubai-based Al-Arabyia satellite television station.
As Mr Powell attended a media briefing by the US administrator, Mr Paul Bremer, Iraqi journalists walked out in protest at the killings. About 30 Arab journalists left the hall in anger.
"We declare our condemnation of the incident which led to the killing of the two journalists . . . at the hands of the American forces," said Najim al-Rubaie of Iraq's Addustour newspaper as Mr Powell and Mr Bremer looked on.
Mr Powell urged US allies to stay the course in Iraq after Spain vowed to pull out troops and South Korea refused to take on a combat role. - (Reuters)