The Islamic State group is pursuing development of chemical weapons, setting up a branch dedicated to research and experiments, according to Iraqi and US intelligence officials.

Bombs striking Shiite neighbourhoods, security forces and other targets across Iraq killed at least 26 people today.

Iraq’s president has declared that he will not sign off on the hanging of Tariq Aziz, joining the Vatican and others in objecting to the death sentence for the man who for years was the international face of Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Iraqi forces today detained a senior Health Ministry official accused of corruption and helping to funnel millions of pounds to Shiite militiamen blamed for much of the recent sectarian violence in the capital, the US military said.