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Scores killed in Baghdad bombings Scores killed in Baghdad bombings
(10 minutes later)
A series of car bombings has killed at least 127 people and wounded 448 in the centre of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.A series of car bombings has killed at least 127 people and wounded 448 in the centre of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
The first blast targeted a police patrol in the Dora district of the city. Four others occurred near official buildings within minutes.The first blast targeted a police patrol in the Dora district of the city. Four others occurred near official buildings within minutes.
Veteran politician Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, an ex-national security adviser, blamed al-Qaeda militants for the attacks.Veteran politician Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, an ex-national security adviser, blamed al-Qaeda militants for the attacks.
He told the BBC their aim was to destabilise the country ahead of general elections due in March.He told the BBC their aim was to destabilise the country ahead of general elections due in March.
ANALYSIS Natalia AntelavaBBC News, Baghdad The attacks follow a relatively quiet month of November. But the government has been warning that the al-Qaeda-led insurgency would continue to stage attacks on government buildings, especially ahead of the expected March election.ANALYSIS Natalia AntelavaBBC News, Baghdad The attacks follow a relatively quiet month of November. But the government has been warning that the al-Qaeda-led insurgency would continue to stage attacks on government buildings, especially ahead of the expected March election.
Officials have also promised extra security measures to protect the capital better.Officials have also promised extra security measures to protect the capital better.
But serious questions have been raised about the ability of the security services to protect people - to the extent that the government is trying to play down the violence.But serious questions have been raised about the ability of the security services to protect people - to the extent that the government is trying to play down the violence.
Often the official figures do not quite match the figures that we get from the police and other sources.Often the official figures do not quite match the figures that we get from the police and other sources.
"Al-Qaeda has been active in Baghdad recently," Mr Rubaie said."Al-Qaeda has been active in Baghdad recently," Mr Rubaie said.
"The aim is to show the government is unable to protect civilians and its own people and also to deter people from going to ballot boxes.""The aim is to show the government is unable to protect civilians and its own people and also to deter people from going to ballot boxes."
The explosions on Tuesday shook houses across the capital.The explosions on Tuesday shook houses across the capital.
After the attack in Dora, a bomb blew up in Shourja Market, near the health ministry.After the attack in Dora, a bomb blew up in Shourja Market, near the health ministry.
Official buildings located near the other blasts also include the interior ministry, a university and the institute of fine arts.Official buildings located near the other blasts also include the interior ministry, a university and the institute of fine arts.
There were civilian and security force personnel casualties, officials said.There were civilian and security force personnel casualties, officials said.
Survivor Ahmed Jabbar, emerging from a damaged ministry building, told the Associated Press news agency: "What crime have we committed? Children and women were buried under debris."Survivor Ahmed Jabbar, emerging from a damaged ministry building, told the Associated Press news agency: "What crime have we committed? Children and women were buried under debris."
Rescue workers at the scene have been climbing through twisted steel bars and crushed concrete, and dozens of vehicles were burned, AP reported.Rescue workers at the scene have been climbing through twisted steel bars and crushed concrete, and dozens of vehicles were burned, AP reported.
Another witness told Reuters news agency: "We were stuck in a heavy traffic jam when a powerful blast took place. A car exploded. A large number of people were wounded and killed."Another witness told Reuters news agency: "We were stuck in a heavy traffic jam when a powerful blast took place. A car exploded. A large number of people were wounded and killed."
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned the attacks "in the strongest possible terms".A spokesman for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned the attacks "in the strongest possible terms".
DEADLIEST ATTACKS SINCE 2003 Aug 2007: More than 500 killed in attacks on villages near SinjarNov 2006: 202 killed in multiple blasts in BaghdadApr 2007: 191 killed in car bombings in BaghdadMar 2004: 171 killed in bombings in Baghdad and KarbalaOct 2009: 155 killed in twin truck bomb attacks in BaghdadMar 2007: 152 killed in truck bombing in Talafar Source: News agencies, BBCDEADLIEST ATTACKS SINCE 2003 Aug 2007: More than 500 killed in attacks on villages near SinjarNov 2006: 202 killed in multiple blasts in BaghdadApr 2007: 191 killed in car bombings in BaghdadMar 2004: 171 killed in bombings in Baghdad and KarbalaOct 2009: 155 killed in twin truck bomb attacks in BaghdadMar 2007: 152 killed in truck bombing in Talafar Source: News agencies, BBC
"While challenges remain, there have been real improvements in security, the economy and politics in Iraq in recent months and we will continue to work closely with the Iraqi government to continue progress," Mr Brown's spokesman said."While challenges remain, there have been real improvements in security, the economy and politics in Iraq in recent months and we will continue to work closely with the Iraqi government to continue progress," Mr Brown's spokesman said.
He added: "Those who seek to use violence to undermine these efforts will not succeed."He added: "Those who seek to use violence to undermine these efforts will not succeed."
Iraqi government figures have shown that violence generally has fallen over the past 18 months.Iraqi government figures have shown that violence generally has fallen over the past 18 months.
In October, however, co-ordinated bomb attacks killed at least 155 people and wounded hundreds in Baghdad.In October, however, co-ordinated bomb attacks killed at least 155 people and wounded hundreds in Baghdad.
Correspondents say that despite occasional massive bombings, insurgents stage frequent smaller-scale attacks against targets such as marketplaces, mosques or schools.Correspondents say that despite occasional massive bombings, insurgents stage frequent smaller-scale attacks against targets such as marketplaces, mosques or schools.
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At least eight people - mostly children - died in a school bombing in Baghdad on Monday.At least eight people - mostly children - died in a school bombing in Baghdad on Monday.
Security has been heightened ahead of the parliamentary elections.Security has been heightened ahead of the parliamentary elections.
Also on Tuesday, officials said the poll date had been set for 6 March, following delays.Also on Tuesday, officials said the poll date had been set for 6 March, following delays.
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