Iraq's interim Prime Minister IyadAllawi on Sunday said the peace talks on Fallujah was near the endwith a gloomy hope for peaceful settlement, while an explosion in Tikrit killed at least 15 amid continued clashes in the country.

The Iraqi government's "patience is running thin," and "the window for peaceful settlement is closing," Allawi told a news conference after meeting Fallujah's tribal leaders.

"We have now entered the final phase of attempts to solve Fallujah without a major military confrontation," he said, warningif peaceful efforts fail, he had no choice but "to secure a military solution."

Meanwhile, an explosion at a hotel in Iraq's northern city of Tikrit Sunday killed at least 15 people and injured eight others, said local hospital staff.

Hassan al-Juburi, director of the Tikrit Teaching Hospital, said the blast hit the three-story Sunubar Hotel and sent frightened guests running into the street.

All the victims were Iraqis and two policemen were among the injured, he said.

The cause of the blast remained unclear so far, said local police.

Also on Sunday, Iraqi insurgents exchanged fire with US troops in Fallujah.

The insurgents fired mortar rounds and rockets at US Marines, who responded with artillery, said US Marine officials, noting US aircraft also struck suspected rebel positions.

Clashes were also reported between US forces and insurgents in Ramadi, west of Fallujah, killing seven Iraqis and injuring 11, hospital officials said.

Source: Xinhua