Multiple blasts rock Baghdad

Multiple explosions have rocked Baghdad, killing at least 32 people and sending plumes of smoke into the sky across the street from a major government building in a brazen reminder of the ability of insurgents to penetrate the heart of the capital.

The attacks come as al Qaeda-led militants are battling for control of mainly Sunni areas to the west in the first test of the Shi’ite-led government to maintain security in the country more than two years after the withdrawal of US troops.

The deadliest of yesterday’s attacks took place across the street from the high-rise building housing the foreign ministry, shattering the windows of nearby apartment buildings.

Two parked car bombs went off simultaneously in different car parks, killing at least 12 people, including three policemen, and wounding 22, a police officer said.