Bush 'confident' as Iraq violence kills 46
Government issues arrest warrants for 23 defense Ministry officials

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At least 46 people were killed in attacks in Iraq, including a suicide car bombing in a crowded market, but U.S. President George W. Bush maintained an optimistic tone saying he was confident Iraqis would vote despite the bloodshed. In the bloodiest strike, 30 people were killed and 45 others wounded in the car bombing in the market of Tal Afar in restive northwestern Iraq, claimed by the Al-Qaeda group headed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Another 16 people were killed in a rash of bombings and shootings, starkly underlining the battle facing Iraqi forces in their efforts to secure the country for Saturday's referendum on the constitution.