US soldier dies in Iraq attack

Troops have been targeted around Falluja

At least one US soldier died and several others were injured after a troop convoy triggered a roadside bomb in the flashpoint town of Falluja on Sunday morning, US military sources have said.

"At 0800 [0400 GMT] this morning in Falluja, a vehicle convoy hit an IED [improvised explosive device]... one soldier was killed," a military spokeswoman was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.

It is the latest in a spate of attacks on US soldiers around the town, a bastion of supporters of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.

The blast happened shortly before US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in Baghdad for a series of meetings with Iraqis and members of the coalition forces.

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Hours earlier, the US expressed "deep regret" after its forces fired on Iraqi security officials near Falluja on Friday, killing at least nine people.

Local Iraqis and religious leaders vowed to avenge the deaths.

'Deep regret'

In Friday's incident, a military spokesman said a US patrol was initially attacked by a truck and coalition forces returned fire.

"We wish to express our deepest regrets to the families who have lost loved ones," Lieutenant Colonel George Krivo said.

He promised a high-level investigation.

There were chaotic scenes as people gathered to pray at the city's central mosque before the eight Iraqi policemen were buried, their coffins draped in the Iraqi flag.

Local police fired shots in the air as angry Iraqis chanted "America is the enemy of God", "The blood of our martyrs will not go in vain" and "Falluja will keep its jihad".

Religious leaders in Falluja have called a general strike on Sunday to coincide with the beginning of three days of mourning for those killed.

'We are police!'

Survivors say that despite repeatedly shouting to the Americans "We are police!", the firing did not stop.

Jordanian soldiers guarding a hospital near the checkpoint reportedly also opened fire when US troops began shooting, catching the Iraqi police in the crossfire.

Eight Iraqi policemen and a Jordanian security guard were killed.

An Iraqi doctor said nine people were injured.

A Jordanian news agency said US Secretary of State Colin Powell telephoned the Jordanian foreign minister to express regret for the "sad incident".