BAGHDAD, Feb 26: Ten people were killed and 11 kidnapped in Iraq as the interim government claimed on Saturday that the noose was tightening on Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the man blamed for much of the violence. Three Iraqis died and 15 were wounded in clashes between guerillas and US marines in Ramadi , west of Baghdad.

Hospital doctor said the casualties occurred during fighting that lasted several hours in the town centre, around 17 July Street.

In a catologue of other violence, witnesses and security sources said two people died in a bomb blast on Saturday near the headquarters of Iraq's leading Sunni religious organization.

Three Iraqi women died when mortar rounds struck homes near Dhuluiyah and a Turkish driver burnt to death in the cab of his lorry hit by an anti-tank rocket.-AFP