BAGHDAD, May 8: Fourteen people were killed in guerilla attacks on Monday as Iraqi leaders discussed the final line-up of a new government that aims to curb raging sectarian bloodshed. Five people died in a car bomb attack in Baghdad’s central Zawr Park and another five were killed in a mortar attack in central Baghdad’s Al-Tehran square, an interior ministry official said.

Three Iraqis were shot dead in separate attacks, while a US soldier died in a bomb blast.

Against the backdrop of violence, representatives of the country’s parliamentary blocs met President Jalal Talabani to finalise the line-up of the first permanent government of the post-Saddam Hussein era, almost five months after a landmark election.

Although the details of Monday’s political meeting were not known immediately, a source close to the negotiations said that prime minister-designate Nuri Al-Maliki was expected to announce the new cabinet soon.

Following his nomination, Maliki had said he would form the cabinet by May 10 and had pledged to appoint independent candidates to head the country’s important security posts.

The leaders of the dominant Shia United Iraqi Alliance also held a meeting on Monday to name its candidate for the crucial interior ministry, the source said.

The Shia leaders were considering independent Shia MP Qassem Daoud to head the interior ministry or retaining the controversial incumbent Bayan Jabr Solagh, the source said.—AFP