Suicide bombing in Iraq kills 30

BAGHDAD, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A suicide bombing in the Iraqi town of Yusufiya Friday killed up to 30 people and injured nearly 110 more, police said

Police said the attack in the town 12 miles from Baghdad occurred as a group of Sunni Muslim tribal leaders met at a sheik's home, the BBC reported.

The bomber apparently entered the home and detonated the bomb during the meeting, police said.

The Sunni gathering was part of a new initiative by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to reconcile the differences between the country's Sunni and Shia populations.

The British broadcaster said the bombing was the first 2009 suicide attack in Iraq.