Iraq and US hold security talks

Two blasts occurred near Baghdad's Green Zone outside Iraq's foreign ministry, as John Negroponte, the US deputy secretary of state, was preparing to hold a news conference about his visit to Iraq.

At least one person was killed and five others were wounded in the blasts on Tuesday, the police said.

An Iraqi military officer said one soldier was wounded in the blasts that went off in quick succession.

The Green Zone is a fortified compound of government and diplomatic offices, where journalists had gathered for a news conference by Negroponte and Hoshiyar Zebari, the Iraqi foreign minister.

Twin blasts

Tuesday's first blast targeted a parked Iraqi armoured vehicle and a car bomb went off minutes later at a nearby parking lot opposite the foreign ministry on the edge of the Green Zone.

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