Deadly violence in Iraq before new year.(Chicago Tribune)

Byline: Evan Osnos and Stephen Franklin

BAGHDAD, Iraq _ A car packed with high explosives ripped through a popular Baghdad restaurant filled with New Year's Eve revelers Wednesday night, killing five people, all Iraqis.

Thirty-five others were wounded, including three correspondents for the Los Angeles Times.

The blast reduced much of the once-elegant Nabil Restaurant to burning rubble, just as customers were arriving for dinner, live music and dancing. It left the busy street in chaos, with cars aflame, diners bloodied and neighbors pleading for news of who was inside.

The bomb eluded tight security on a street heavily traveled by diplomats, finding a target in the large stone restaurant. The blast came amid increased warnings that Westerners could be targeted for attacks during the holidays. Two other bombs exploded earlier Wednesday near U.S. military convoys in the capital, including one hidden in bushes outside another restaurant.

Baghdad had weathered daily attacks for the past week, including 18 attacks with rocket-propelled grenades on Christmas morning.

In addition to the three reporters injured Wednesday, four Iraqi staff members working for the Los Angeles Times were wounded. They were pulling up to the restaurant in their cars just as the explosion occurred.