BAGHDAD, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki vowed Saturday to punish security members who were involved in Wednesday's deadly truck bombings.

    "We have taken significant measures in dealing with deficiencies and shortcomings (of the security forces) and we will severely punish those involved in these crimes," Maliki said in a televised speech without disclosing what the measures were.

A general view of the site of a truck bomb attack outside the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, August 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    On Wednesday, two truck bombs blew up near Iraq's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in central Baghdad, marking the most fatal day in nearly 18 months.

    Qassim Atta, spokesman of the Baghdad Operation Command, said the attacks killed 87 people and wounded more than 1,200 others. While, Interior Ministry sources told Xinhua earlier that the blasts killed 95 people and wounded 563 others.

    Following the deadly attacks, Iraqi security forces tightened security measures in Baghdad and Maliki has ordered to detain 11 senior security officers in charge of districts of Salhiyah and Bab al-Muadam where the two truck bombs detonated.

Residents and security personnel gather around a crater after a bomb attack outside the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, August 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    During his speech on the occasion of Ramadan, the fasting month for Muslims which started Saturday, Maliki told the Iraqi people not to lose confidence in ability of their security forces.

    "Iraqi security forces are still capable of fighting and winning battles. We must not blame on them," he said.

    The prime minister also warned political blocs and media of politicalizing the massive attacks because "it is more dangerous than the criminal attacks themselves."

    Maliki also accused remnants of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath party and al-Qaida militants of carrying out Wednesday's attacks.

    "Their (Ba'athists and al-Qaida militants) goal was not hidden from us. We know they are targeting the political process as we are close to parliamentary elections," Maliki said, referring to parliamentary polls scheduled early next year.

    Earlier in the day, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said the attacks were well-organized and accused members of Iraqi security forces of possibly collaborating with the attackers.

    Late on Friday, Atta told the state-run television of Iraqia that Iraqi troops arrested a terrorist group responsible for Wednesday's truck attacks. It was linked to the former Ba'ath party.

    The deadly attacks are casting doubts among Iraqis about the ability of the Iraqi security forces whether they can shoulder responsibilities without U.S. soldiers' assistance.

    The U.S. troops withdrew from Iraqi cities and towns since June 30, in line with security agreement inked late last year between Baghdad and Washington.