Iraq on High Alert after Baghdad Bombings

Iraq's security forces are on high alert after three bombs targeted several embassies in the capital city of Baghdad, killing over 35 people and wounding 224 others.

Incumbent Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki held a meeting with Iraq's National Security Council over Sunday's blasts, a statement from his office said.

Three massive explosions near the Iranian, Egyptian, German and Spanish embassies rocked the city yesterday and caused sizeable damage.

Baghdad security spokesman Major General Qassim Atta said a bomb-laden car had also been intercepted in central Baghdad, apparently heading towards the headquarters of police tasked with diplomatic protection.

He said that the driver was arrested and the device was defused.

"It looks like (Al-Qaeda)," Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told AFP.

"The group responsible for the blast has not been confirmed and the investigation is not yet complete", he added.

"They bear the same marks of previous attacks; in the timing, targeting, and the simultaneous attacks on different targets in different places in order to achieve maximum impact," Zebari said.