Two suicide bombers blew themselves up among a crowd of Iraqi police in Hilla city, south of Baghdad, on Monday, killing at least 20 people and wounding 35 others, police said.

The attack took place at 9:15 a.m. (0515 GMT) in Hilla, some 100 km south of Baghdad.

The first suicide bomber blew up his explosive belt at a medical center in the city where army recruits and civil service applicants were queuing for medical checkups.

The second bomber targeted a crowd of rallying police commandos demanding higher wages outside the mayor's office.

Iraqi police and US troops sealed off the area, preventing people from approaching the scene.

Insurgents have stepped up attacks on Iraq's fledgling security forces since a new government was announced in late April, killing more than 650 people.

Source: Xinhua