BAGHDAD (AFP) ??” Another colossal explosion rocked central Baghdad in the vicinity of the US-led coalition's headquarters as part of a rebel offensive launched just after the announcement of Iraq's recently made known president.

BAGHDAD (AFP) ??” Another colossal explosion rocked central Baghdad in the vicinity of the US-led coalition's headquarters as part of a rebel offensive launched just after the announcement of Iraq's recently made known president.

The blast was followed from gunshots outside the headquarters, better known as the fresh Zone, while an AFP correspondent inside the heavily-fortified area said buildings shook

Soldiers darted around the verdant Zone, he added.

There have been at least seven blasts Tuesday since 11:00 am (0700 GMT) after Sunni tribal leader Sheikh Ghazi Al-Yawar was named Iraq's first president since