Attacks in 8 Iraq cities kill 46 ahead of summit


March 20, 2012 at 2:36p.m.

Attacks in 8 Iraq cities kill 46 ahead of summit

BAGHDAD (AP) — A torrent of bombings and shootings ripped across eight Iraqi cities today, targeting police and Shiite pilgrims and killing 46 people. The deadly wave undermined the government’s hopes for stability ahead of next week’s meeting of the Arab world’s top leaders. The Iraqi wing of al-Qaida said it was behind at least one of the attacks near Baghdad’s heavily guarded Green Zone. A statement on a militant website said the group targeted the office that will oversee security for the upcoming Arab League summit — the first time the meeting is set to be held in Baghdad for more than a generation.