Bush issues Iraq warning after latest bombings

BAGHDAD - Attacks in Baghdad, including a car bomb close to a Shi'ite mosque, killed at least 60 people today as US President George Bush told Iraqis who fear civil war that they faced a choice between "chaos or unity".

As deposed leader Saddam Hussein returned to court after the worst week of sectarian violence since the US invasion, three bombs in succession killed 32 people. After dark, a car bomb killed at least 23 near the Shi'ite mosque and a market.

"The choice is chaos or unity," said Bush as the ruling Shi'ites warned sectarian bloodshed that has killed hundreds since a bomb destroyed a major Shi'ite shrine last Wednesday could mean months of delay in bringing Sunnis into the national unity government Washington is pushing hard for them to form.

Fears of an all-out war have seen people barricading neighbourhoods or fleeing homes.

Saddam, looking subdued after ending a hunger strike, was brought into court to hear prosecutors present evidence that included what they said was a death warrant for 148 Shi'ite men signed by him in 1984. He has justified harsh measures during his years in power by the need to stop Iraq breaking apart.

The prime minister's office, in an unusual move, issued a statement putting the total death toll over six days at 379 "martyrs" and denied reports that it was well over 1000.

But Baghdad morgue alone said it received 309 bodies since Wednesday, most victims of violence. Morgue data showed this was double the average -- it handled 10,080 bodies in 2005.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, closely engaged in efforts to forge a unity government Washington hopes would bring stability to let it start bringing home troops, said Iraq "came to the brink of civil war". He warned further flare-ups were possible.

Bush recalled his telephone calls to Iraqi leaders on Saturday that led to an emergency meeting of all parties: "They understood the seriousness of the moment," he said. "They have made their choice, which is to work toward a unity government."

The Sunni minority's main political bloc, however, says it was not ready to end the boycott of US-backed talks which it announced in protest against reprisals against Sunni mosques.

Admitting bloodshed had stalled efforts to forge a unity government 11 weeks after Sunnis took part in their first US-sponsored election, National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, a senior member of the ruling Shi'ite alliance, said: "If we are lucky it will take us at least two months."

Two British soldiers were killed in Shi'ite southern Iraq and US forces reported the death of an American soldier.

Activity on Baghdad's streets was quieter than normal after Monday's lifting of a three-day curfew. Many people said they were staying at home for fear of violence, though many also said they were afraid of guerrillas attacking them at home.

Saddam-era, Soviet-made Iraqi tanks guarded some Sunni mosques and Iraqi and US military units were on patrol.

Hours before Saddam's trial resumed after a two-week suspension, bombs wrecked the tomb of his father in Tikrit.

His two lead defence counsels walked out within minutes of the trial restarting when requests for a further adjournment and the removal of the chief judge were rejected.

Officials said court-appointed lawyers would defend Saddam, as they had done since a previous walkout a month ago from a trial they said has been rigged by the Shi'ite- and Kurdish-led interim government and the United States.

Saddam spoke once, to question the authenticity of documents presented by the prosecution, like the apparent order for executions. The judge ruled some of the material inadmissible, saying the provenance of some handwritten documents was unclear. It was not clear which were ruled out.

The court will sit again on Wednesday. Court officials have said previously they expect a long adjournment after that.

Saddam and seven others have been on trial since October 19 for crimes against humanity in the deaths of the 148 Shi'ites after an assassination attempt on Saddam in the town of Dujail in 1982. They face hanging if convicted.

- REUTERS