Iraqis blame bombings on political infighting

Iraqis seethed at their security forces on Thursday after 95 people died and more than 1,000 were wounded in the bloodiest day of attacks in Iraq this year, many blaming political infighting as parliamentary elections near. Wednesday's explosions struck at the heart of Iraqi state power, close to Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone complex, damaging the finance and foreign ministries nearby. The scale of the security lapses fostered political conspiracy theories. "The reason for the blasts was political infighting, and the Iraqi people are the victims," said shopper Munther al-Lamy at a deserted downtown market that is normally a sea of people. "Security forces at these checkpoints were loyal to particular parties, which is why they let the attacks happen."