FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: U.S. troops came under fire again in Iraq overnight. For that and more about the situation in Baghdad, let's go to our bureau chief Jane Arraf -- Jane.</s>JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Fredricka, a little bit of tension here in the capital, at least, has been diffused. Coalition authorities here, the U.S.-led coalition has announced that it will indeed pay former Iraqi officers. Now you'll recall this has been a simmering issue and it's the reason two Iraqis were shot dead by U.S. forces at a demonstration outside the palace last week. They had been protesting that they have no jobs, no future and no money. Now the U.S. has reversed the decision and it will give payments, monthly payments to former Iraqi officers. Now it excludes anyone in the top four ranks of the Ba'ath Party or the Republic Guard. But others will get payments from $50 to $150 a month until there's a new interim government that decides what to do with them -- Fredricka.</s>WHITFIELD: And, Jane, what more do you know about yet another pipeline explosion?</s>ARRAF: Well details still sketchy on that one. But the reports are that it is a Syrian oil pipeline. The pipeline going from northern Iraq to Syria. And what that used to do is carry oil illegally in U.S. eyes to Syria from the Iraqi government. It was well used during Saddam Hussein's era. He revitalized it about a year ago. And it was actually bombed during the war. So it wasn't actually in use. It's now burning. It's unclear whether its sabotage or some other reason -- Fredricka.</s>WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks very much. Jane Arraf from Baghdad. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com New Government is in Place>
U.S. Agrees to Pay Stipend to Former Iraqi Officers Until New Government is in Place