BAGHDAD, Dec. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- A fuel tanker exploded in Mansour neighborhood in western Baghdad on late Friday, killing at least 12 people and injuring some 15 others, police said.

   Police said the attack was probably caused by a suicide bombing. 

   The blast took place at about 9:30 p.m. (1830 GMT) near the communication tower, known as Saddam Tower named after toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

   The tower is located within 200 meters from the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses the Iraqi government and US and British embassies.

   The area was familiar with roadside bombing ambushes and rocket attacks on US and Iraqi paramilitary patrols. 

   Friday's explosion came hours after US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld paid a brief visit to the American troops stationed inIraq.

   Rumsfeld ended his visit to Iraq Friday with a meeting in Baghdad with top American commanders and interim Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawar.  Enditem