Sepcial Report: Tension accelerates in Iraq

   BAGHDAD, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has risen to at least 13 in a bomb attack in a Baghdad restaurant on Sunday, which also wounded 18 others, an Interior Ministry source said.

   "Our latest reports said that we have 13 people killed and 18 others wounded in the powerful blast into the Saffar Restaurant in Karada district," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

   The blast was confirmed later to be caused by a suicide bomber wearing an explosive-belt, who blew himself up into the restaurant which is usually frequented by policemen, he said.

   Earlier, a ministry source put the casualty figures at eight killed and 17 wounded, most of them policemen who usually visit the restaurant to have lunch.

   Insurgents have frequently attack U.S. troops and Iraq's fledgling security forces, accusing them of collaborating with U.S. occupation forces. Enditem