Near Taji, north of Baghdad, the military says coalition forces killed five terrorists, detained three people and destroyed a bomb-making factory.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the BBC, Iraq's Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi called for talks with insurgents in Iraq - except al-Qaida - in an effort to end the violence.

Hashemi said all parties, except al-Qaida, should be invited to sit down for talks to discuss their fears and reservations.

In Madain, south of Baghdad, a mortar attack killed three people. Officials also say the bodies of two policemen were found in Diwaniyah. - VOA News