Iraq says March deadliest month so far this year

The number of Iraqis killed in violence last month was the highest this year, authorities said on Thursday, as the country's political parties discuss forming a government after March 7 polls. Altogether 367 Iraqis died as a result of attacks in March -- 216 civilians, 101 soldiers and 50 police -- a slight increase from February's toll of 352. The death toll for March also represented the fourth consecutive month in which the overall number of people killed was higher than the same month a year previously. In addition, 699 people were wounded -- 419 civilians, 160 soldiers and 120 police -- according to the figures compiled by Iraq's health, interior and defense ministries.