An Iraqi woman grieves in front of her destroyed house after a bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 25, 2010. Three parked car bombs struck near three Baghdad hotels popular with Western journalists and businessmen.[Agencies]

The attacks were another blow to an Iraqi government already struggling to answer for security lapses that have allowed bombers to carry out massive attacks in the heart of the Iraqi capital since August, raising serious questions about the country's stability ahead of the March 7 parliamentary elections.

The blasts were launched over a span of 15 minutes, shortly before Iraq announced it had hanged Saddam Hussein's notorious henchman "Chemical Ali" and gave rise to speculation about possible links to the attacks.

The first explosion struck near the Sheraton Hotel, along the Abu Nawas esplanade across the Tigris River from the Green Zone. The force of the blast toppled a row of 10-foot, 7-ton concrete blast walls protecting the site, tore cars apart and damaged a number of other buildings.

Twisted metal and shards of glass littered the lawns and courtyards of the popular fish restaurants along the river.

Although known in Baghdad as the Sheraton Ishtar, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc -- owners of the Sheraton brand -- pulled out of the hotel years ago.

Two other blasts followed minutes later, striking near the Babylon Hotel and Hamra Hotel, which is popular with Western journalists and foreign security contractors