Bombers target Iraqi court

Iraq reeled from more fatal attacks on Thursday, which left at least 21 people dead, as it awaited results of last month's election. In Thursday's deadliest attack, suicide bombers targeted a commercial complex, which also included a court, in central Baghdad, killing 10 people and wounding dozens.

Baghdad security spokesman Brigadier General Saad Maan said security forces had "foiled" an attempt to break into the court in the commercial district of Karrada by killing a third suicide attacker.

The complex also houses a hospital and a police headquarters.

Elsewhere in Baghdad, a car bomb detonated in a predominantly Shiite neighborhood, killing at least three people.

Army officers intercepted, killed

Officials quoted by the news agency AFP said five off-duty army officers - ranked between lieutenant and major - were killed by militants in Salaheddin province, northwest of Baghdad.

Those killed were wearing civilian clothing at the time and were on their way to their unit deployed to battled insurgents in the western province of Anbar.

The attackers set the car's driver free, the officials added.

Maliki seeking third term

Results from Iraq's April 30 parliamentary election are not expected until later this month, with incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki seeking a third term in power.

His critics say his Shiite-led government should do more to reach out to disgruntled minority Sunnis in order to defuse support for militancy.

A wave of bloodshed on Tuesday, including nine car bombs (pictured), left 42 people dead, making it Iraq's deadliest day since the general election.

ipj/dr (AFP, AP)