The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have pulled their staff out of Iraq after the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, where their offices were located.

The bank has "suspended operations in Iraq, given the security situation", and is moving 14 staff to Amman, Jordan, World Bank spokesperson Damian Milverton said.

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He said one bank employee remains unaccounted for.

IMF spokesperson David Hawley said four staffers who received minor injuries have been taken to Amman while the fifth member is in Baghdad.

The IMF said no decision has been taken to quit Iraq, but it is not sure when its staff will return.

The two institutions have a major role in assisting the US-led coalition's efforts at rebuilding Iraq.

As many as 20 people died and more than 100 were injured in the most devastating attack ever suffered by the world body. The UN expects the toll to rise as the rubble is cleared.