French foreign ministry on Monday strongly condemned attacks in Iraq's city of Haditha which killed more than 20 police officers, the ministry's spokesman said in a statement.

"France utterly condemns the attacks perpetrated this morning northwest of Baghdad against the security forces," the spokesman said, while extending condolences to the Iraqi people and the families of the victims.

France confirmed that it will keep its solidarity with the Iraqi authorities in their fight against terrorism.

"France stands alongside Iraq and reaffirms its full support for the Iraqi institutions in their efforts to promote stability and security," the spokesman added.

A deadly shooting spree by gunmen that occurred at about 2:00 a.m. (2300 GMT on Sunday) in Iraq's western province of Anbar on Monday left 27 policemen killed.

They were hit by dozens of gunmen who were wearing military uniforms and using military sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with faked insignia in an attack to a police checkpoint in Haditha and shot dead all the policemen.

The attacks came a few weeks before the country is to host the Arab league summit late in the month.