The top floor of the 11-storey building, which houses Iraq's state-run Internet company, was gutted. Satellite dishes on the roof were also damaged, but no one was reported hurt.

The shock of the strike, at a time when the high-rise is usually empty, was felt down to the ground floor where water pipes burst.

In the international press centre, which gives onto the street, windows were blown out. In AFP's office two television sets and technical equipment were strewn over the floor.

"The ministry of information in Baghdad was targetted by Tomahawk missiles early today (March 29)," US Central Command said in a statement.

"Official battle damage assessment is not yet available," it said, but noted television pictures showed extensive damage.

The higher floors of the building, near the Tigris river in central Baghdad, also house the office of Information Minister Mohammad Said Al-Sahhaf who has been the public face of Iraq's propaganda effort in the war.

Debris was scattered around the outside of the ministry building, home to the official Iraqi News Agency and the heart of Iraq's propaganda campaign and strict media control.

Loud blasts rocked the Iraqi capital again shortly after 7:00 amas the outskirts came under renewed bombardment.

The dull, distant thuds echoed over the city on the 10th day of the US-led offensive to oust President Saddam Hussein.

Some 38 people were killed and 80 were wounded from the repeated bombings in Baghdad on Friday. At least 30 of them died when a missile hit a market, hospital ofifcials said.

WAR.WIRE