UN envoy in Baghdad to probe recent deadly bombings

BAGHDAD, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- A UN special envoy arrived in Baghdad on Sunday to start a preliminary probe over two deadly bombings that struck government buildings in central Baghdad and killed scores of Iraqis, an Iraqi television reported.

"Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, UN assistant secretary general for political affairs, arrived in Baghdad to kick off a preliminary probe over the terrorist bombings which targeted government ministries and institutions on Aug. 19 and Oct. 25," the state-run television of Iraqia said.

The channel quoted a UN spokesman as saying that Fernandez-Taranco will meet with top Iraqi officials, including President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.

Fernandez-Taranco's mission came after intense efforts by the Iraqi government for an independent probe into the bloody attacks in Baghdad.

On Aug. 19, two truck bombs detonated near the Iraqi ministries of finance and foreign affairs, killing and wounding some 1,300 Iraqis.

On Oct. 25, similar massive attacks damaged the buildings of the ministry of Justice and Baghdad Provincial Council, killing and wounding more than 600 people.