Female suicide bomber kills four in Iraq

A female suicide bomber blew herself up outside the house of an Iraqi tribal sheikh, killing him and three others on Monday in the restive province of Diyala, an army officer told AFP.

The bomber arrived early Monday at Sheikh Ghadban Al Karkhi's house in the town of Kanan, north of Baquba, the provincial capital, Brigadier General Rageb Al Omeri said.

"The bomber blew herself up as the sheikh came out of the house to meet her. The sheikh, his daughter and two of his bodyguards were killed in the attack," Omeri said.

Diyala, one of the most volatile regions of Iraq, has seen a number of suicide attacks by female bombers in the past several months. (AFP)