Violent deaths in Iraq dropped by more than half in September compared to the previous month, official figures showed on Thursday, with 203 people killed across the country.

Statistics compiled by the defence, interior and health ministries showed that 125 civilians, 38 police and 40 soldiers were killed last month, which co-incided with the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The figures were markedly lower than the 456 people who died as a result of violence in Iraq in August. Last month's death toll was the lowest since May, when a total of 155 people were killed.

There were also 533 civilians, 102 police and 76 soldiers wounded in September, according to the latest data. Forty-three insurgents were killed and 395 arrested last month, the ministries said.

In addition, 10 American soldiers died in Iraq last month, bringing to 4347 the total number who have died since the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003, according to an AFP tally based on independent website icasualties.org.

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AFP

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