BAGHDAD, May 11 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Designate Nouri Maliki may announce his new government next week, if he can hold the controversial defense and interior portfolios.
A source close to Maliki said Thursday the government stands a good chance of formation by the middle of next week if the parliamentary blocs agree that Maliki can hold the two key ministries until an agreement is reached over two independent candidates.
Maliki will be acting minister of defense and interior in the meantime.
Member of the Sunni Consensus Front Khalaf Alayan said Wednesday consultations to form the government are stumbling over many obstacles as each bloc in parliament tries to impose its will on the other.
Alayan accused the Shiite Iraqi Coalition, the biggest bloc in parliament, of opposing anything that other blocs propose and insisting on keeping Jaber Solagh as interior minister for a new term.
Parallel to the stumbling political process, the cycle of blind violence continued in Iraq Thursday as six people, including five street cleaners, were killed by an explosive charge and a judicial investigator was assassinated .
A security source said an explosion occurred in Abi Jaafar Mansour Square, in west Baghdad, killing the street cleaners.
The judicial investigator was assassinated by unknown gunmen outside his home in the city of Baaqouba, east of Baghdad.
Three civilians were injured when mortars were fired at a house in Makdadiya, north of Baghdad.
