The US military said a member of the 1st Armoured Division was killed and three of his colleagues were injured when their armoured personnel carrier hit a landmine on a road in Baghdad.

But eyewitnesses said the vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade or rocket fired at close range.

Earlier, a unit from the 4th Infantry Division come under small arms fire at a tactical operations centre near Baqubah, north-east of the city. One soldier died and two were wounded.

The latest evidence of sustained resistance to the American presence came on the same day that the US administrator of Iraq, Paul Bremer, said general elections could be held within a year.

There is substantial hostility to the US presence in Iraq

The Baghdad area has seen repeated attacks against American troops, including a grenade attack last Saturday which killed three soldiers guarding a children's hospital.

More than 50 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq since President George W Bush declared an end to major hostilities three months ago, following the collapse of President Saddam Hussein's regime.

US forces say the resistance is being conducted by disaffected members of the former regime.

But some correspondents suggest that the Americans' aggressive tactics are making the occupation forces increasingly unpopular.

The US-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) is offering rewards of up to $10,000 for information leading to either the arrest of those responsible for attacks on coalition forces or the prevention of such assaults.

Information about attacks on Iraqi officials working for the authority, acts of sabotage and weapons caches will also be rewarded.

'NOT UNREALISTIC'

If elections are held in Iraq next year, those voted into office would replace the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council.

The 25-member Council (IGC) has opted for a nine-member rotating presidency made up of representatives of the country's different ethnic groups.

Bremer, speaking at a ceremony to reopen Iraq's foreign ministry in Baghdad, said the US-led force occupying Iraq would leave as soon as a new, democratic government was established.

The foreign ministry was looted and gutted by fire after US-led forces entered the capital.

Bremer, who heads the CPA, told officials at the opening ceremony to expect an Iraqi government to be in place next year.

"Your ministry is back at work... and gradually it will move to diplomacy," he said.

"I know your work will expand as the steps we are putting in place to establish an Iraqi government progress.

"It is not unrealistic to think we could possibly have general elections by mid-2004 and that is when our work here will be done."

He said that would mark his final retirement as a diplomat.

The BBC's Matthew Price, in Baghdad, says many in the city believe that Bremer's aspiration is very optimistic.

Before elections can be held, the Iraqi Governing Council has to draft a constitution - a process that our correspondent says could be a lengthy process.

'$500 A MISSILE'

Meanwhile, the US has inaugurated a regional council for one of the provinces where it has been facing most resistance - Anbar, west of Baghdad.

The 44-member council's first meeting was chaired by the commander of the 3rd Armoured Cavalry Regiment, Colonel David Teeples, at the US military base at Ramadi.

It is designed to involve locals in decision-making, although the US military will have the final say in how the province is run.

There have been numerous attacks on American troops in the region, which also includes the flashpoint town of Falluja.

Reports say the Americans are offering $500 to any Iraqi handing over shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles in the province.

US forces say they have found three such missiles that fell to the ground after being fired at American aircraft flying over Anbar.

Other regional councils have been set up elsewhere in the country.