Iraqi soldiers killed in ambush

At least 19 Iraqi soldiers have been killed in an attack by militants in the area of Adhaim, 100km north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

A roadside bomb exploded as an army convoy was passing before the vehicles came under heavy gunfire.

At least another two soldiers were injured in the incident, which took place near the city of Baquba.

On Friday, the US military announced that 10 US marines had died in a roadside bomb attack in Falluja.

Members of Iraq's security forces have frequently been the targets of attacks, kidnappings and executions by insurgents.

Baquba and the area around it has often been the scene of violence.

Last month six Iraqi police died and another 10 were wounded as insurgents attacked a checkpoint in Buhriz, near the city.

Earlier this week, US President George W Bush outlined a plan for the future US withdrawal from Iraq, which includes steadily replacing US troops with a home-grown Iraqi army.

The US soldier in charge of training Iraqi forces, Lt Gen Martin Dempsey, said 212,000 police and soldiers had been trained and equipped so far, but there was still some way to go.