1st LD writethru: UN chief slams terrorist bomb attack near Iraqi capital

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Saturday condemned "in the strongest terms" a bomb attack on a busy market in a town north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, which reportedly left more than 100 civilians dead, and voiced his hope that the perpetrators "are swiftly brought to justice."

"The attack, which comes at a time when the Iraqi people are celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan, reportedly left over 100 civilians killed and many more injured, including children," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

"The secretary-general's thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," the statement said. "He hopes that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are swiftly brought to justice."

"He stands in solidarity with the people and Government of Iraq, " it said.

A car bomb claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group has exploded in a busy market in the Iraqi town, killing at least 115 adults and children celebrating the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, reports said.

About 170 people were also wounded by the blast in Khan Bani Saad, a predominantly Shia town in Diyala province, north of Baghdad, the reports said.

ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack on Twitter and said the car was carrying around three tonnes of explosives, said the reports. Endite