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At least 22 dead in Baghdad twin bomb blasts

Baghdad - 22 killed in suicide attacks
Baghdad - 22 killed in suicide attacks

Police in Iraq say that at least 22 people were killed and 26 others wounded in a double car bomb and suicide bomb attack in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

Police said a car bomb hit a police patrol and, simultaneously, a suicide bomber walked into a coffee shop next to the patrol and blew himself up.

Police earlier said that policemen and civilians were among the dead.

The twin attack came after Iraqi security forces launched a two-day clampdown to guard against insurgent attacks ahead of tomorrow's publication of the final results from 15 December's elections.

Police said they had set up a large number of checkpoints.

US military officials have said they expect a surge in violence across Iraq by Sunni Arab rebels when the results come out.

Partial results already released show the poll was dominated by the ruling Shi'ite Islamist alliance.