Car and roadside bombs kill at least 43 people across Iraq, in the country's deadliest day in nearly a month.

At least 16 near-simultaneous explosions struck cities and towns across Iraq on Tuesday, despite a massive security clampdown ahead of next week's Arab League summit in Baghdad.

The summit is seen by many as the country's debut on the regional stage following the withdrawal of US troops in December of last year.

Iraq's government is anxious to show it can reinforce security to host its neighbours.

The deadliest attack occurred in the southern city of Kerbala, where twin explosions killed at least 13 people and wounded 48.

Army and police forces are frequently targeted in Iraq, where bombings and shootings still occur on a daily basis.

Megan Detrie, Reuters