The Iraqi government said on Sunday that the death toll from the previous day’s suicide bomb attack in Musayyib, south of Baghdad, has risen to more than 90.

 

"The enemies of freedom and humanity in Iraq have committed a new ugly crime that shows their bankruptcy as they targeted innocent civilians in the Musayib area, killing over 90 people," the government said in a statement.

 

"The Iraqi government condemns this brutal attack and promises the Iraqi people it will continue to tighten its grip on terrorist organizations by improving our armed forces and regaining control of security," it added.

 

Earlier, police and medical officials had put the number of casualties at 71 dead along with 156 wounded.    

 

 

A suicide bomber blew himself up on Saturday evening near a fuel tanker in the middle of a square in the center of Musayyib, some 60 km south of Baghdad, causing a firestorm that set several buildings and shops on fire along with dozens of cars.

 

It is the deadliest suicide bomb attack in Iraq since the new Shiite-dominated government was formed in April.

 

Musayyib is located within the area dubbed the "triangle of death," a hotbed of insurgency against US-led forces and the US-backed new government.

 

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2005)