Palestine Hotel full of foreign journalists comes under attack in Baghdad

A rocket and car bomb attack of the Palestine Hotel, which houses many foreign journalists in Iraq, Monday, injured at least one person and causing considerable damage to the hotel, Iraqi police said.

There was considerable damage to the hotel's windows and rooms on the south side of the 19-story building. TV pictures showed a huge cloud of smoke rising from the scene and debris falling from the building. At least one fire was started by falling debris.

After the attack, automatic heavy weapons fire rang out in the area although it was not clear what it came from

Maj. Abbas Mohammed Suleiman said the hotel compound was hit by two rockets and one car bomb.

The Associated Press journalists had to evacuate their bureau in the hotel and take refuge in the corridor.

Inside the hotel, pictures were blown off walls and windows shattered, reports the AP.

Photo: AFP P.T.