The aftermath of the double car bombs

BAGHDAD, June 27 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Two car bombs killed up to 40 Iraqis and wounded at least 22 others late Saturday, June 26, south of Baghdad as Iraq’s interim premier said continuing attacks could delay national elections.

"Estimates of the number of Iraqi civilians killed in explosions from two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices June 26 in Al Hillah , Iraq , have grown to 40," the US-led occupation authorities said in a statement Sunday, June 27, saying all victims were civilians.

"The number of injured is now listed at 22," said the statement, cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Witnesses told AFP that the attack took place in a busy shopping area away from Iraqi security forces or occupation patrols.

Hillah, a largely Shiite town near the ancient city of Babylon , has remained relatively peaceful in recent months.

Also on Saturday, gunmen blew up headquarters of Allawi's National Accord Party in the city of Baqubah .

This followed a similar attack on the offices of a major Shiite political party in the city which left at three people killed.

Several car bombs and attacks have left hundreds dead this month as Iraq 's caretaker government prepares to assume power on June 30.

At least 93 Iraqis were killed and over 200 others injured in a series of coordinated attacks and clashes in several Iraqi cities on Thursday, June 24.

‘Necessary Measures’

"The Iraqi security forces as well as the Iraqi army would be prepared in a week or two to impose the necessary measures," said Allawi

In Baghdad , Allawi said he was prepared to take "necessary measures" within two weeks to crush a rising violence.

"The Iraqi security forces as well as the Iraqi army would be prepared in a week or two to impose the necessary measures to deal with the terrorists and the terrorist activities throughout the country," he told reporters.

"We will be backed by the multinational forces which have been assigned by the United Nations."

The interim premier told CBS News that although his incoming government was committed to holding general elections on schedule next January, "... security will be the main feature of whether we will be able to do it in January, February or March."

Allawi and his interior and defense ministers have raised the idea of declaring emergency law in areas of Iraq .

He told the American broadcaster that emergency measures would be legal in the framework of restoring peace to Iraq , saying a law on "the defense of public safety" was under consideration, but denied the measure would serve as a form of martial law.

Iraq 's now-dissolved governing council named June 1 Sheikh Ghazi Al-Yawer as interim president.

Hours later, the new cabinet line-up was officially installed  under Allawi.

The New York Times had said that the choice of Allawi was forced by the United States as a fait accompli on the United Nations and the Iraqi people.