Al-Qaeda group claims hotel blasts in Baghdad

Relatives grieve during a funeral of a man killed in a suicide bombing in Baghdad on Tuesday. Suicide bombers struck in quick succession on Monday at three Baghdad hotels favoured by Western journalists in well planned assaults. Photo: AP.

An al-Qaeda front group in Iraq says it carried out the deadly bombings against Baghdad hotels earlier this week.

A statement from the Islamic State of Iraq was posted on militant Web sites on Wednesday, claiming responsibility for the triple suicide blasts.

The attacks on Monday hit three hotels favoured by Western journalists and security contractors. At least 41 people were killed.

The same group has claimed responsibility for the major attacks that have struck central Baghdad since August.