A double car-bombing has killed 19 people in Iraq.

The bombs exploded in the Iraqi Shia holy city of Karbala only two days before ceremonies to mark the birth of Imam Mohammed al-Mehdi, the 12th and last Imam of the Shiite faith.

The car bombs targeted pilgrims who were travelling to the holy cities of Karbala and nearby Najaf on the road between the two cities.

Four people have also been killed in a separate bombing at the offices of the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television network in Baghdad.

A single suicide car bomber parked outside the Al-Arabiya offices, killing three security guards and an office worker.

The network had recently abandoned full operations at the building a month ago after warnings of an attack.