Iraq death toll hits highest since fall of Saddam

LAST month saw the highest monthly death toll in Iraq since the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, an Iraqi government minister said yesterday.

In Baghdad, deputy Health Minister Adel Muhsin said about 3,500 Iraqis died last month in sectarian or political violence nationwide.

Mr Muhsin said he had no comparative figures for other months but added that the July figure was the highest monthly tally of the war.