Meanwhile at least seven US soldiers have been wounded in two separate attacks today on troops in Iraq.

And yesterday a U.S. Marine was killed and three others were injured while clearing mines in southern Iraq.

Meanwhile The Washington Post reports that the Bush administration has been struggling to enlist allies to contribute troops to the Iraqi occupation force.

The government has sought help from 70 countries but only 10 have agreed to contribute troops. And only Britain, Ukraine and Poland have provided substantial assistance.