73 dead in Iraq bombings

BAGHDAD: A wave of attacks in Iraq killed at least 68 people on Thursday, the worst toll in nearly five months, as the country grappled with a weeks-long political row that has stoked sectarian tensions.

The US and the European Union swiftly condemned the attacks.

Nujaifi and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki held talks in Baghdad in the aftermath of the attacks, amid calls for a meeting of political leaders to resolve the festering stand-off.

The worst incident saw at least 45 people killed by a suicide attacker on the outskirts of the southern city of Nasiriyah as pilgrims were walking to the shrine city of Karbala for Arbaeen commemorations.