Three U S soldiers, Marine killed in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Nov 3 (Reuters) Three U S soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad and a Marine was killed by ''enemy action'' in Iraq's western Anbar province today, the U S military said on Friday.

It said the three soldiers in Baghdad died when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in the east of the capital yesterday. There were no further details about the Marine's death.

The military also announced early today that a soldier had died in a non-combat related incident north of Baghdad.

U S forces have been conducting an intensive search in Baghdad for a missing U S soldier of Iraqi origin who was kidnapped 10 days ago after going to visit relatives, including his Iraqi wife.

Troops have also been conducting more visible patrols in Baghdad in an effort to clamp down on sectarian violence.

October was the most deadly month for the U S military in Iraq in nearly two years, with at least 105 killed, raising the pressure on President George W Bush ahead of midterm elections next week where he could lose control of Congress amid dissatisfaction over his Iraqi policies.

Reuters HB DB1154