BAGHDAD (AFP) - A rocket attack hit the US embassy late yesterday, hours before the start of Iraq's historic election, killing two Americans with a dramatic breach of the draconian security intended to persuade the population to vote.

The insurgent missile slammed into the embassy compound after a night-time curfew had come into effect and Baghdad was a virtual ghost town - apart from the sound of sporadic bombs and gunfire. A US embassy statement identified the dead as a member of the US military and a civilian. Five Americans were wounded.

Baghdad, Iraq - Iraqis drive through the streets in their car covered with the Iraqi flag and election posters, in front of an American armoured vehicle, yesterday. Iraqis are to choose a 275-member National Assembly and legislatures in each of the 18 provinces in today's balloting. (Photo: AP)

At least 21 people were killed in insurgent attacks across the country on the eve of voting in the first election since the fall of Saddam Hussein in April 2003.

US President George W Bush joined Iraqi leaders in appealing for the population to brave the insurgent attacks and threats to make the election a success.

But with world attention fixed on the turnout today, the impact of the attacks added new uncertainty to the outcome.
Interim president Ghazi al-Yawar warned many Iraqis would not vote because of fears of violence.

Before the embassy strike, a suicide bomber in Khanaqin killed eight people and 10 police, soldiers and civilians lost their lives in other attacks across the country. A US soldier was killed by a bomb in Baghdad.

Iraq's land borders and Baghdad airport were closed as authorities sought to counter threats to the election by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who has replaced Saddam as Iraq's most feared man. A dusk-to-dawn curfew and a ban on travel between provinces was imposed and the government yesterday extended a state of emergency for one month.

Only a few brave souls ventured out onto the streets in most cities as the population waited nervously to see if it would be safe enough to leave their homes for the country's first multi-party elections in five decades.

The poll will select a 275-member national assembly to draft a permanent constitution. The Iraqi election commission on Friday predicted a 57 per cent national turnout.

But the president told a press conference that of those who would not vote, the main reason would be the insurgent threat. "Most of them will not take part because of the security situation and not because they want to boycott the elections."

In Khanaqin, a town near the border with Iran, a suicide bomber killed four adults, a child and three Iraqi soldiers at a police security coordinating centre, officials said.

Four police were shot dead overnight on the road between Baiji and Shorgat, about 200 kilometres (120 miles) north of the capital. Insurgents attacked a patrol at Salman Pak, just south of Baghdad, killing two police.

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