I spent last week driving and flying around central Iraq.

I had good relationships with many of the tribal leaders in central Iraq, the sheiks.

Only 20 percent of schools in central and southern Iraq had working toilets, the ministry report said.

His visit came as insurgents' attacks in central and northern Iraq left at least nine people dead.

In southern and central Iraq, the focus was on making areas safe for aid to begin flowing.

This can lead to extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq.

The previous day, fighters damaged a pipeline running from southern to central Iraq, he said.

The bodies were discovered as scattered attacks took place across central and southern Iraq.

Violence has continued to surge throughout central and northern Iraq.

It was the first attack on the multinational force in central Iraq.