Baghdad, Aug 18, SPA -- A large explosion hit central Baghadon Wednesday close to a convention center where a keynational gathering of political, religious and civicleaders was entering its final day. The blast shook the convention center early in theafternoon as delegates worked to elect members to anational council. The blast appeared to have hit Iraq's Foreign Ministrybuilding, a few hundred meters (yards) from the conventioncenter. The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. The U.S.military had no immediate comment.--SPA1243 Local Time 0943 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/192956