UNITED NATIONS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned on Tuesday the bomb attacks in Iraq, and called on the country's leaders to use their influence to protect civilians and promote dialogue among all communities.

    In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ban said he is outraged by the latest series of bomb attacks in Iraq on Shi'a pilgrims who were making their way to the holy city of Karbala.

    "He condemns these heinous acts, which appear to be aimed at provoking sectarian strife," spokesperson Michele Montas said of the attacks, which reportedly killed scores of innocent Iraqis.

    The Secretary-General appealed to all communities in Iraq to show maximum restraint in the face of these criminal actions, and called on the country's political and religious leaders "to exert their influence to protect civilian lives and to promote mutual respect and dialogue between all Iraqi communities."

    At least 100 Shiite pilgrims were killed and more than 200 wounded when they were heading for Iraq's holy Shiite city of Karbala on Tuesday, underscoring the relentless violence despite a recent massive security crackdown.