Iraq civilian deaths climb in March

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The civilian death toll in Iraq rose slightly in March compared to the previous month, officials said on Sunday, a continuing sign of tension surrounding a parliamentary election that failed to produce a clear winner.

Officials said 216 civilians died violent deaths in March compared to 211 in February. Election campaigning began in earnest in February and civilian deaths rose sharply from 135 in January.


An Iraqi soldier stands guard near the site of a suicide attack targeted the Iranian embassy Baghdad April 4, 2010. (REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani)
The statistics, issued by the interior, defence and health ministries, showed that 101 police officers, 50 soldiers and 57 insurgents were killed in March.

Only two seats separated the top two blocs in the March 7 election, the cross-sectarian alliance led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and the State of Law coalition of current Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Neither won enough seats for a majority in parliament. The close race could mean weeks of talks to form a government.

Overall violence has dropped sharply in Iraq since the height of sectarian warfare in 2006-07 that killed tens of thousands of people.

Between 95,775 and 104,481 civilians have died violently in Iraq since the start of the war, according to www.iraqbodycount.org.