Explosion heard in central Baghdad

<br> <br>BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ A large explosion was heard in central Baghdad on Wednesday. Heavy smoke rose behind a central square. <br><br>The blast shook the nearby Palestine Hotel, where many foreign

Wednesday, March 17th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ A large explosion was heard in central Baghdad on Wednesday. Heavy smoke rose behind a central square.

The blast shook the nearby Palestine Hotel, where many foreign contractors and journalists are based.

The explosion occurred behind Firdaus Square, where a bronze statue of Saddam Hussein was felled April 9 with the help of U.S. Marines who had just entered the center of the Iraqi capital.

The Karrada district where the explosion was heard is a mix of residential and commercial buildings.