BAGHDAD, Jan 18: A massive suicide bombing in front of the US-led coalition headquarters in Baghdad killed 25 people and injured 130on Sunday. A news agency put the death toll at 35, however it could not be confirmed by other sources.

The blast occurred at 8am local time (0500 GMT) when Iraqi and other staff were lined up to enter Saddam Hussein's former Republican Palace where the coalition has set up its headquarters, officials said.

At least two American civilian contractors were among the dead, Brigadier-General Mark Kimmitt told reporters after a truck loaded with half a ton of explosives detonated near the checkpoint known as Assassin's Gate.

He added that three US soldiers and three US civilian contractors were among the wounded. Witnesses said about 60 people had been brought to different hospitals with two seriously wounded.

"At least 20 people have lost their lives and almost 60 were injured," Gen Kimmitt said. "It would appear from all the indicators this was a suicide bomb. We have confirmation some of those killed were US citizens, US contractors. We believe the current number is two. We are waiting for final confirmation," he added.

Three dead and 30 wounded were brought to Karrama hospital, while another two people were reported dead at Baghdad's Yarmuk hospital, Iraqi doctors said.

There were no reported fatalities at other local hospitals, where the number of wounded was put at 41 from Karkh, Yarmuk, Al-Kindi and the Neurological Surgical hospital.

It was not clear how the attack unfolded. Some witnesses spoke of two car bombs while others said that US soldiers had fired gunshots. US military have sealed off streets leading to the scene of the blast. Ambulances were trying to get through the ensuing traffic jam.

BOMB EXPLOSION: Two Iraqis were killed and another was hurt when a bomb they intended to use against US soldiers exploded earlier than planned, a US military official said in Tikrit on Sunday.