UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday strongly condemned double car bombing attacks in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, in which hundreds were killed and wounded.

    Ban, in a statement issued here by his spokesperson, said he "is shocked and deeply saddened at the news of today's double car bombing attacks near the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and the Baghdad Provincial Governorate Building in central Baghdad, in which hundreds were killed and wounded."

    "He strongly condemns these senseless and indiscriminate acts of violence that repeatedly target the innocent and aim to disrupt Iraq's recovery," the statement said. "The secretary-general extends his deep condolences to the bereaved families and his wishes for the speedy recovery of the wounded."

    "The secretary-general urges all Iraqis to unite in the face of these deplorable acts and to work with heightened urgency to protect Iraq's political progress, including by adhering to the date of Jan. 16, 2010 to hold free and fair national elections," the statement said.

    "The secretary-general reaffirms the United Nations' commitment to support and assist the people and government of Iraq to meet these challenges," the statement added.

    Two suicide car bombs detonated inside downtown Baghdad Sunday. The blast caused extensive physical damage to surrounding structures, killing 136 people and injuring another 600 people, reports said.

    Although no groups have claimed responsibility for the attack, they were clearly targeting the Iraqi justice and administration buildings. Police say that the attacks are aimed at disrupting and destabilizing democracy as January elections approach.