The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has made a surprise visit to Baghdad to mark the formation of a new Iraqi government.
Mr Blair held talks with his Iraqi counterpart, Nouri Maliki, and met President Jalal Talabani.
British officials have meanwhile been quoted as saying they expect all foreign combat troops to withdraw from Iraq within four years. The US has maintained that it is too soon to discuss such a timetable.
Mr Blair's visit was kept secret due to continuing violence in the Iraqi capital. Nine people were killed in two bomb attacks in Baghdad coinciding with his arrival.
Six civilians were killed and three were wounded in one car bomb explosion in a crowded street in the southeast of the city.
Three people were killed and 12 others wounded in another car bomb attack near a market and health clinic in the capital’s New Baghdad district.
Separately, the Mujahideen Council, an al-Qaeda-led militant group, has said one of its fighters had carried out yesterday's suicide bombing that killed at least 13 people at a Baghdad restaurant.
Saddam Hussein trial continues
Meanwhile, the trial of Saddam Hussein and seven others accused of crimes against humanity resumed in Baghdad this morning.
Guards manhandled a defence lawyer from the court today before witnesses gave testimony for some of the co-defendants.
Lebanese attorney Bushra Khalil, had objected to her ejection from court in a previous session.
After an argument with Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman rose in pitch, he again ordered her removed from court, and described her behaviour as 'an insult to justice'.
Ms Khalil shouted a protest and threw off her black court robe.
'Are you a lawyer or a gang boss?' Judge Abdul Rahman snapped. Ms Khalil then slapped the hand of a guard as he dragged her out of the chamber.
In the middle of the argument, Saddam Hussein stood to object and declared 'I am the president of Iraq', only to be told sharply by the judge 'No, you are a defendant.'
Once the proceedings got under way, two defence witnesses appeared giving evidence in favour of Baathist judge Awad-al Bandar.
