Wednesday, June 15 2005 17:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Baghdad: A man wearing a belt packed with explosives killed at least 23 Iraqi soldiers and injured 29 others today (Jun 15, 2005) when he blew himself up inside a restaurant on an Iraqi Army base north of Baghdad, Army officials said.

The lunchtime explosion took place in Khalis, 20 kilometres northwest of Baqouba, Iraqi Army Col Saleh al-Obeidi said. Baqouba is 60 kilometres northeast of Baghdad.

Al-Obeidi said the man was wearing an Army uniform and waited until soldiers had gathered for lunch before blowing himself up. The soldiers belonged to the Al-Salam battalion of the 2nd brigade of the Iraqi Army in Diyala province.

The injured were being evacuated to a nearby hospital, Iraqi Army Maj Abbas Timimi said.