Wave of violence kills 111 across Iraq

A WAVE of sectarian rage swept across Iraq yesterday leaving at least 110 people dead and the violence-wracked country careering towards civil war.

Gunmen shot dead 47 civilians and left their bodies in a ditch near Baghdad as militia battles and sectarian reprisals followed the bombing of a sacred Shi'ite shrine.

Sunni Arabs suspended their participation in talks on a new government.