Posted onWednesday, August 19, 2009 5:16:31 AM byZakeet

A series of explosions struck the Iraqi capital Wednesday, targeting
primarily government and commercial buildings, killing at least 50
people and wounding more than 300 others, Iraqi police told Reuters.
The blasts follow a string of attacks in Iraq this month that have
claimed more than 200 lives and left hundreds more wounded, raising
concerns about the abilities of Iraqi security forces to keep the lid
on violence in advance of the American withdrawal.
The seemingly coordinated car bomb blasts and mortar attacks began
around midmorning Wednesday, striking first near the Finance Ministry
in northern Baghdad and then minutes later by the Foreign Ministry near
the Green Zone.
The deadliest explosion occurred near the Foreign Ministry, just
outside Baghdad’s heavily protected Green Zone, killing at least seven
and wounding at least 55 people, an Iraqi police and medical official
said.
A 10-story building that is part of the ministry complex was badly
damaged. The explosion was so strong that it also damaged nearby
buildings and destroyed dozens of car outside, according to AP
Television News footage. A huge area outside the ministry was covered
by debris and broken glass