A suicide bomber driving a van disguised as an ambulance blew up his vehicle Wednesday in front of a hotel frequented by Westerners, witnesses and police said. Iraqi police reported four people were killed, and South Africa said one of its nationals was among them. The U.S. military initially reported three dead, then said only the driver was killed. A spokesman refused to explain why the figure was lowered. The blast at the Shaheen Hotel also injured 17 people, according to hospital officials. The spokesman for the South African Foreign Ministry, Ronnie Mamoepa, said one South African was killed and four injured in the blast. The bombing occurred about 6:40 a.m. after security guards opened fire on the vehicle — a white van with Red Crescent markings — as it maneuvered around concrete barriers in the street, witnesses said. Full Story
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