At least 36 Iraqis were feared killed in a suicide car bomb attack on a recruiting centre for the New Iraqi Army in southeastern Baghdad on Wednesday.

There was a long queue of young men at the recruitment centre when the suicide bomber struck.

US officials at the site said at least 16 people were injured.

US Colonel Ralph Baker said from the scene that a car, loaded with 300-500 pounds of explosives, had been driven up to the recruiting centre by a single male.