Iraqi security forces and rescuers search for survivors at the site of a bomb attack near the new Finance Ministry building in Baghdad on Tuesday. (Khalid Mohammed/Associated Press)

A co-ordinated series of bomb blasts on Tuesday left at least 103 people dead and more than 197 wounded in Baghdad.

Three car bombs went off within minutes of each other, hitting the Iraqi Labour Ministry, a court complex and the new site of the Iraqi Finance Ministry.

The previous finance building was destroyed in August by an explosion.

Earlier, a suicide bomber hit a police patrol in southern Baghdad, killing three police officers and a civilian.

Tuesday's bombings were the worst round of violence since 155 people were killed in twin suicide car bombings on Oct. 25 outside the Baghdad administration offices.

The series of explosions came as Iraq prepared to set a date for next year's parliamentary elections, which were set Tuesday for March 6. The elections were pushed back by six weeks after squabbling broke out over the election rules.

The attacks are another embarrassment for Iraqi security forces, which have been expanding their role as U.S. forces prepare to withdraw.