A series of car bombings have killed at least 101 people and wounded 182 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. In October, co-ordinated bombs attacks killed at least 155 people and wounded hundreds in Baghdad.
However, Iraqi government figures have shown that violence generally has fallen over the past 18 months. Tuesday's explosions shook houses across the capital.
Official buildings located near the blasts include the interior ministry, the social affairs ministry, a university and the institute of fine arts."Civilians and security personnel have definitely been killed," Baghdad security spokesman Maj Gen Qassim al-Moussawi told Reuters news agency.
Correspondents say that despite occasional massive bombings, insurgents stage frequent smaller-scale attacks against targets such as marketplaces, mosques or schools.
At least eight people mostly children died in a school bombing in Baghdad on Monday. Iraqi officials say security has been heightened ahead of general elections due in February.
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