Bethesda, 27 October (AKI) - The Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), an umbrella group led by Al-Qaeda in Iraq has claimed responsibility for the twin suicide car bombings that killed over 160 people and injured 500 in central Baghdad on Sunday. ISI posted a statement claiming the attack to jihadist websites on Monday, said the US-based SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant Web sites.

In the attack, the two car bombs exploded in the Iraqi capital's heavily fortified Green Zone. The co-ordinated attacks were carried out near the justice and local government ministries and the provincial government headquarters. They were Baghdad's bloodiest since April 2007.

In the attacks, suicide bombers detonated two vehicles, a lorry at a busy junction near the two ministries and a car in a parking bay.

Iraq's leaders said the latest bombings aimed to destabilise the country ahead of national elections slated for January.

Iraq's deputy interior minister Ahmad al-Khafaji told Adnkronos International (AKI) that Sunday's bombings bore similarities to the 19 August blasts in Baghdad, which struck the foreign ministry and other targets, killing almost 100 people and injuring scores.

ISI claimed responsibility for that attack.