Iraqi blasts claim 13 lives

A RAPID-FIRE series of explosions in and around Baghdad killed 13 people, including seven who died when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of police officers, officials said.

In total, at least 10 bombs exploded as Iraqis headed to work in a reminder of the dangers Iraq still faces despite a drop in violence since the height of the war. At least seven of the dead were police officers.

The worst single attack came near the city of Taji, 21km north of Baghdad.