This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8324546.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Baghdad blasts 'kill at least 25' Baghdad blast toll 'passes 130'
(about 5 hours later)
At least 25 people have been killed and 40 wounded in two large explosions in central Baghdad, reports say. At least 132 people have been killed and 520 injured in two car bomb attacks in Baghdad, Iraqi officials say.
The blasts hit the ministry of justice and another government building in the Green Zone, causing severe damage. The blasts hit the ministry of justice and a provincial government office near the heavily fortified Green Zone.
They came in quick succession at 1030 local time (0730 GMT), and were followed by sporadic gunfire. They came in quick succession at 1030 (0730 GMT) as people headed to work during the morning rush hour.
These are largest attacks since August, when two truck bombs hit two ministry buildings, correspondents say. Iraq then blamed foreign fighters. This is the deadliest attack in Iraq since August 2007 and comes three months after the US handed security control of cities to local forces.
Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the Green Zone - the heavily-fortified administrative heart of the capital on Sunday morning. The attacks have drawn comparison with those of 19 August, when truck bombs hit two ministry buildings and killed at least 100 people.
Iraq then blamed foreign fighters and accused Syria of involvement, demanding a UN investigation.
Search for survivors
Prime Minister Nouri Maliki visited the site of Sunday's provincial government office attack and later issued a statement blaming al-Qaeda and supporters of former president Saddam Hussein.
In pictures: Baghdad blasts
"These cowardly terrorist attacks must not affect the determination of the Iraqi people to continue their struggle against the remnants of the dismantled regime and al-Qaeda terrorists, who committed a brutal crime against civilians," he said.
Plumes of smoke were seen rising in Baghdad on Sunday morning after two vehicles packed with explosives blew up just outside the International Zone, or Green Zone, the administrative heart of the capital.
There were conflicting reports from Iraqi police and other security officials about whether suicide bombers were involved.
Iraqi officials say the number of dead and wounded is likely to rise, as rescue workers dig through the rubble to search for survivors.Iraqi officials say the number of dead and wounded is likely to rise, as rescue workers dig through the rubble to search for survivors.
"We're a few miles off but we could feel the force of those explosions," says the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Baghdad. A number of workers for Baghdad's provincial council, which runs the city, were thought to be among the dead.
Our correspondent says it is too early to determine who is behind the attacks, but that the finger of blame is likely to point to insurgents or foreign fighters trying to destabilise the security situation ahead of Iraqi elections in mid-January. "I don't know how I'm still alive," local shop owner, Hamid Saadi, told Reuters by telephone from near the justice ministry.
DEADLIEST ATTACKS SINCE 2003 Aug 2007: More than 500 killed in attacks on villages near SinjarJul 2007: 150 killed in truck bombing in Tuz KhurmatoApr 2007: 191 killed in car bombings in BaghdadMar 2007: 152 killed in truck bombing in Tal AfarFeb 2007: 135 killed in truck bombing in BaghdadNov 2006: 202 killed in multiple blasts in BaghdadMar 2004: 171 killed in bombings in Baghdad and Karbala Source: News agencies, BBC
"The explosion destroyed everything... it's like it was an earthquake, nothing is still in its place."
A number of bystanders blamed the security forces and politicians for failing to keep order.
Ambulance driver Adil Sami told Agence France-Presse: "We don't want the parliament any more - let them leave us alone, we can live in peace and solve problems ourselves."
Baghdad provincial council member Mohammed al-Rubaiey said: "This is a political struggle... Every politician is responsible and the government is responsible, as well as security leaders."
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Baghdad said he felt the force of the explosions, even though he was several miles away.
He says the finger of blame is likely to point to insurgents or foreign fighters trying to destabilise the security situation ahead of Iraqi elections in mid-January.
Overall, violence has dropped dramatically in Iraq compared to a year ago, but sporadic attacks still continue in several parts of the country.