HILLA (Iraq), Oct 23: Iraq took control of the central province of Babil from US forces on Thursday in what officials called a further sign of security gains across the war-torn nation.

But shortly before the handover, a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into the convoy of a Shiite cabinet minister in Baghdad, killing 11 people although the official emerged unscathed.

Babil, known for its archaeological treasures but also for a string of bloody attacks on pilgrims in the aftermath of the 2003 US-led invasion, is the 12th of Iraq’s 18 provinces to be restored to Baghdad’s command.

The move comes amid continuing negotiations between Baghdad and Washington over a security pact providing the framework for the presence of American troops after a UN mandate expires at the end of 2008.

Local officials hailed the role of former rebels who joined US forces to fight Al Qaeda for improving security in Babil, whose northern region was known as the “triangle of death” because so much blood was spilled there.

“Just a year ago this province used to see well over 20 attacks per week and today attacks are down by 80 per cent. This is truly remarkable,” Lieutenant General Lloyd Austin, the number two US commander in Iraq, said at the handover ceremony in the provincial capital Hilla.But he warned that Iraq’s enemies were still “not defeated” and offered US support to local forces in maintaining stability.

National security advisor Mowaffaq al-Rubaie said Iraq would also soon take over the neighbouring province of Wasit from the US military and that Baghdad hoped to complete the transfer of the remaining provinces “in the near future.” US Major General Michael Oates told reporters that the handover of Wasit, which borders Iran and is believed to be a major conduit for weapons and foreign fighters, would happen on Oct 29.

Baghdad, Diyala, Salaheddin, Nineveh and Kirkuk provinces also remain under US control.

Iraq has warned it will not be bullied into signing the controversial security pact, despite US leaders warning of potentially dire consequences if it fails to approve the deal.

To apparent US frustration, the Iraqi cabinet decided on Tuesday to seek revisions to a deal that was originally supposed to have been sealed by the end of July but has ignited fierce opposition.

The draft deal calls for a withdrawal of US combat forces by the end of 2011 — more than eight years after the invasion — and includes US concessions on jurisdiction over its troops.

Iran’s Interior Minister Ali Kordan said Tehran opposes any document that threatens Iraqi interests.

“Iran opposes any document that goes against the will of Iraqis and their leadership,” he told a meeting in Jordan of interior ministers of Iraq’s neighbours.

The Babil transfer came just two days after a bloody firefight in the province between insurgents and tribesmen killed 15 people and wounded scores more.

But Babil governor Salem al-Saleh Meslmawe said the province was now stable.

“The Awakening forces played a big role for the stability and to kick out Al-Qaeda,” he said, referring to the former Sunni insurgents who turned against the jihadists.

American forces are now expected to withdraw to their bases, backing Iraqi operations only at the provincial governor’s request.

Babil is home to 1.3 million Iraqis and was the site of the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

But it was ripped apart by violence after the 2003 invasion triggered sectarian attacks on Shiite pilgrims, mostly by Sunni insurgents and Al Qaeda.

In the bloodiest attack, a suicide bombing in Hilla killed at least 117 pilgrims and wounded nearly 200 in March 2007.

The US military established a sprawling base in the ancient city of Babylon, just north of Hilla, which was extensively renovated under Saddam Hussein’s regime.

UNESCO said their presence resulted in serious damage to priceless antiquities.

In Baghdad, meanwhile, a suicide bomber targeted the convoy of Shiite Labour Minister Mahmud Jawad al-Radi, killing 11 people. The minister escaped unhurt, ministry spokesman Abdullah al-Lami said.—AFP