The Iraqi interim government says it has captured a senior figure accused of involvement in several car bombings in the capital, Baghdad.
The man is said to be a key ally of militant group leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who has vowed to disrupt Iraq's national elections on Sunday.
The suspect, known as Abu Omar al-Kurdi, is blamed for over 30 bombings.
In a separate development, a group led by the al-Qaeda ally, Zarqawi, has said in an Internet statement that it carried out this morning's suicide car bombing.
The attack took place near a checkpoint leading to the office of the interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's party.
Officials said at least ten people were wounded in the attack.
Yesterday, Zarqawi declared all-out war on the elections, and criticised the Shi'ite majority for embracing the poll.
Speaking just hours before the blast, Mr Allawi dismissed all acts of intimidation and said the elections would help to combat violence.
