US slams latest 'atrocity' in Baghdad

WASHINGTON: The White House on Saturday condemned the grisly suicide attack in central Baghdad that left at least 135 people dead when a trucker detonated a bomb near a bustling market.   

"Another atrocity in Baghdad today has targeted the innocent people of Iraq," the White House said in a statement.

"Free nations of the world must not stand by while terrorists commit mass murder in an attempt to derail democratic progress in Iraq and throughout the greater Middle East."   

The statement said Washington "stands with the people of Iraq".   

"We will support the freely elected Iraqi government and its security forces, to help bring those responsible for today's atrocity to justice and to deliver greater security to the people of Baghdad," it added.   

The bombing was the worst attack in 2007 and the second-biggest since coordinated Sadr City car bombings last November killed more than 200 people in northeastern Baghdad.   

The government pointed the finger at militants infiltrating from neighbouring Syria.