US condemns latest deadly blasts in Baghdad

The United States condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the latest deadly al-Qaeda bombing attacks in Baghdad, Iraq, that killed at least 33 people and injured scores more. "Our deepest condolences go out to the victims of today's (Saturday's) attacks and we hope for the quick recovery of those injured. The United States will stand with the Iraqi people as they work to overcome these horrific attacks perpetrated by a common enemy," the State department said in a statement released late on Saturday. "The terrorists who committed these acts are enemies of Islam and a shared enemy of the United States, Iraq, and the international community," it added. The fatal explosions occurred during the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The United States is offering a USD 10 million bounty for information to the kill or capture Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist cell in Iraq, believed to be responsible for the latest in a string of deadly bombings and other attacks over the past 90 days, including the release of hundreds of al-Qaeda suspects from Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad. According to the State department, "This reward is second only to information leading to Ayman al-Zawahiri, the chief of Al Qaeda's network, and symbolizes our ongoing commitment to helping our partners in the region eliminate this threat from their territory." "The United States is prepared to work closely with the Iraqi Government to confront the threat posed by Al Qaeda in Iraq and other terrorist groups," it added. Next week, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari will meet with top US Administration officials to discuss bilateral cooperation and other issues under the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement.