Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has moved to reassure Iraqis that his security forces are able to protect the population after a surge of attacks in recent days.
At least six people died in a wave of bomb and gun attacks in the Baghdad area this afternoon.
Yesterday's attack in a market in the overwhelmingly Shia neighbourhood of Sadr City in northeast Baghdad was one of the deadliest this year, killing 78 and wounding 150 others.
'We assure you of Iraqi forces' readiness for the mission - despite some security violations - and we assure you that we are now more stable and steady,' Mr Maliki said.
He appealed to Iraqis to inform the army and police of any potential attacks, to ensure that the country does not return to the sectarian violence that blighted it throughout 2006 and 2007.
The flare-up of attacks throughout Iraq is part of 'a plan that aims to awaken sectarianism, create chaos, abort the political process and prevent Iraqi people from standing on their own feet.'
In fresh attacks targeting civilians in the capital today, two people were killed and 31 wounded when two bombs went off within hours of each other at a bus station in southeast Baghdad.
The chief of security for the bus station was arrested after the attack.
West of the capital, four Iraqi policemen were killed in two separate incidents near the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.
