A car bomb ripped through a funeral tent in a Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad and left nearly half a hundred deaths as well as causing clashes between police and protesters angry about the lack of security. The big bang and three children were the latest in a week of attacks that have killed more than 200 people and raise fears about increased violence as U.S.
forces prepare to leave the country. The violence is aimed mainly at Shiite community, the majority in the country and the security forces and represents a major challenge for Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his fragile coalition government that took office last month. Baghdad has highlighted improvements in security in its campaign to host an Arab League summit in March, while trying to improve relations with its Arab neighbors, many of whom fear Iran's growing influence.
Iraqi officials insisted that the meeting would be held. ''The terrorists make these attacks because they are angry about the installation of a new government and want to frustrate the Arab summit,''said Nasir Kamil al-Zaidi, head of the Baghdad provincial council. ''But the summit will be held on time despite these explosions,''he said.
The blast, around 14:00 hours, came from a car bomb was parked between the cars of those attending the funeral, several meters from the tent, so aroused no suspicions, police said. Several cars caught fire and nearby houses were damaged. The victims included four children and three women, plus 78 wounded, said police and health officials.
Ali Kamil, a college student who lives nearby, said he rushed to the scene, where flames were still burning. Several youths threw stones at security forces, whom they accused of not providing protection. ''A friend of mine from college died in the blast along with another friend and I saw four wounded known in the neighborhood,''said Kamil.
Hours earlier, three other Iraqis were killed in several explosions targeted the armed forces. An early morning explosion near a shopping complex in the Karrada district of Baghdad, killed one civilian and wounded five others, including three policemen. 
forces prepare to leave the country. The violence is aimed mainly at Shiite community, the majority in the country and the security forces and represents a major challenge for Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his fragile coalition government that took office last month. Baghdad has highlighted improvements in security in its campaign to host an Arab League summit in March, while trying to improve relations with its Arab neighbors, many of whom fear Iran's growing influence.
Iraqi officials insisted that the meeting would be held. ''The terrorists make these attacks because they are angry about the installation of a new government and want to frustrate the Arab summit,''said Nasir Kamil al-Zaidi, head of the Baghdad provincial council. ''But the summit will be held on time despite these explosions,''he said.
The blast, around 14:00 hours, came from a car bomb was parked between the cars of those attending the funeral, several meters from the tent, so aroused no suspicions, police said. Several cars caught fire and nearby houses were damaged. The victims included four children and three women, plus 78 wounded, said police and health officials.
Ali Kamil, a college student who lives nearby, said he rushed to the scene, where flames were still burning. Several youths threw stones at security forces, whom they accused of not providing protection. ''A friend of mine from college died in the blast along with another friend and I saw four wounded known in the neighborhood,''said Kamil.
Hours earlier, three other Iraqis were killed in several explosions targeted the armed forces. An early morning explosion near a shopping complex in the Karrada district of Baghdad, killed one civilian and wounded five others, including three policemen.
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