Death toll rises to 147, Baghdad to mourn 3 days + PIC

The death toll in the double bombing that hit Baghdad on Sunday has risen to 147 and Iraq has declared a three-day national mourning period.

The death toll in the double bombing that hit Baghdad on Sunday has risen to 147 and Iraq has declared a three-day national mourning period.

There have been no claims of responsibility so far.

Thirty-five employees of the Ministry of Justice and at least 25 staff members of the Baghdad Provincial Council were among those killed. 721 people were injured, including three US contractors.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited the site of the twin blasts shortly after the incidents, walking among the mangled and blackened cars that lay in front of the blast walls. Al-Maliki said he holds Baathists and al-Qaeda responsible for the attacks.

The fact that two government buildings were hit shows that the terrorists are still capable of launching major attacks, and many fear such attacks will only increase in the run-up to the parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to be held in January.

Many pundits say the terrorists' double bombing was meant to paint the Iraqi leader as incapable of providing security to the beleaguered city and to undermine his political support.

Other analysts say the terrorists are trying to make Iraqis too afraid to vote in the parliamentary elections.

End Item/ 129