Baghdad security chief 'is fired'

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has fired the head of Baghdad’s security forces in the wake of Tuesday’s bombings which killed 127 people.“[Mr Maliki] ordered the removal of Lt Gen Abboud Qanbar from his post,” a statement from his office said.

Qanbar will be replaced by Lt Gen Ahmed Hashem Awoudeh, AFP and local TV said.

A total of 127 people were killed and 448 wounded in Tuesday’s bombings, the third such major attack to hit the Iraqi capital since August.