Baghdad bombs death toll rises

Authorities say the number of people who have died from explosions in the Iraqi capital has reached 49. More than 160 others are said to be wounded.

At least five bombs ripped through apartment buildings on Tuesday. The coordinated attacks are being blamed on al-Qaeda insurgents.

It is the latest sign that the country's fragile security is dissolving in the chaos of the unresolved election. Attacks have spiked as political leaders scramble to secure enough support to form a government after the March 7 elections failed to produce a clear winner.

The explosions were the latest in a five-day spree of attacks in and around the capital that have killed at least 119 people.

Former Iraqi prime minister, Ayad Allawi, whose bloc came out ahead in the vote by two seats over Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's, said the political deadlock lies behind the new wave of violence. He also raised the prospect that the impasse could last for months as both sides try to cobble together the majority needed to govern.

"Intimidation, arrests, assassinations, which is increasing, is all a reflection of how democracy has been raped in this country," Mr Allawi said. He added that he did not foresee any clear timetable to form a government.