Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan. . . said at a news conference Saturday that coalition forces can expect more suicide bombings and praised "every martyr that aims to protect their land."

Four U.S. soldiers with the Army's 3rd Infantry Division were killed Saturday morning when a suicide bomber blew up his car at a military checkpoint in the central Iraqi town of Najaf, military officials said.

Ramadan identified the bomber as an Iraqi military officer and said suicide bombings would become "routine military policy."

"This is only the beginning and you will hear more good news in the coming days," Ramadan said.