At least two foreign contractors have been killed and 15 others wounded after a rocket fell near a UN compound in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, according to a UN official.

In a separate incident on Saturday, three people died and 13 others were injured when a car bomb went off in central Baghdad.

The car bomb exploded in al Tayaran Square, which is much used as a meeting point for Iraqi workers.

Serious condition

A UN official said several of the injured in the rocket attack on the organisation's compound are in serious condition and that the death toll might rise.

Their nationalities of the victims have not been released.

The incident took place in the heavily guarded Green Zone in the centre of Baghdad where the Iraqi parliament and a number of government buildings and foreign embassies are located.