BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki on Thursday blamed sectarian intolerance for a surge of violence in Iraq, a day after bombings killed 34 people and wounded more than 80.

"The bloodshed today is a result of sectarian hatred," Maliki said in televised remarks. "These crimes are a natural result of the sectarian mindset."

Attacks on Wednesday, including a string of bombings that hit seven different areas of Baghdad, many of them Shiite-majority, killed 34 people. Blasts also hit Kirkuk and Mosul in north Iraq and Tarmiyah, north of Baghdad.

Tensions are festering between the government of Maliki, a Shiite, and members of the country's Sunni minority who accuse authorities of targeting their community, including through wrongful detentions and accusations of involvement in terrorism.

Protests broke out in Sunni areas of Iraq almost five months ago.

While the government has made some concessions, such as freeing prisoners and raising the salaries of Sunni anti-Al-Qaeda fighters, underlying issues have not been addressed.

Violence in Iraq has fallen from its peak in 2006 and 2007, but attacks remain common, killing more than 200 people in each of the first four months of this year. — AFP