U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq have announced the capture of a top lieutenant to wanted terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
A U.S. military statement says Ghassan Muhammad Amin Husayn al-Rawi was arrested late last month in a raid in western Iraq. Officials accuse him of planning a number of deadly terrorist attacks.
Meanwhile, two suicide car bombers blew themselves up near Tahrir Square in central Baghdad Saturday. A U.S. embassy spokesman tells VOA 22 people were killed, including two American contractors. A U.S. Marine was also killed during combat operations in central Iraq.
On the political front, Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari has named candidates to fill the five vacant cabinet posts in his new government. Parliament will vote on the names Sunday. Two deputy prime minister posts remain empty.