Iraqi bloodbath kills 60 as blasts rip through cities

BOMB blasts ripped through more than a dozen Iraqi cities yesterday morning, killing 60 security forces and civilians in the worst attack this year.

The bloodbath came less than two weeks after Iraqi officials said they would be open to a small number of US forces staying in the country past a December 31 withdrawal deadline.

The blasts were coordinated and included parked car bombs, roadside bombs, a suicide bomber driving a vehicle that rammed into a police station and even bombs attached to lamp posts.