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Triple Suicide Bomb Attack Kills 31 in Iraq

   Strikes came days before national parliamentary elections

   VOA News 03 March 2010

   Iraqi  police  say  at  least 31 people were killed and some 48 others
   wounded  in  three suicide bomb attacks in the northern city of Baquba
   Wednesday.
   The  first  two  bombers  drove  explosive-packed cars and struck near
   government buildings and police stations.
   The  third assailant attacked the city's emergency hospital as victims
   of the first two bombings were being brought in for treatment.
   Baquba  is about 60 kilometers northeast of Baghdad and is the capital
   of Diyala province.
   The   strikes  came  days  before  national  parliamentary  elections.
   Authorities had warned of a rise in violence from insurgents trying to
   disrupt the vote.
   The  election  is  the  second  legislative  vote  since  the U.S.-led
   overthrow of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.
   It is considered a test of Iraq's ability to maintain its own security
   and  conduct  a  smooth  transition  of  power  after years of war and
   sectarian fighting.
   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters

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