Almost 40 people were killed in Iraq today in a series of bombings and shootings, most in the capital, Baghdad.
In one attack, 14 were killed when two suicide bombers detonated vehicles close to the main civilian entrance to a zone housing Baghdad airport and the US military headquarters in Iraq.
North of Baghdad, two bodyguards working for Iraq's foreign minister were killed and three others were wounded when their convoy of vehicles was hit by a roadside bomb.
There was also further violence in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, where a policeman was killed.
The were reports of three kidnappings during the day, two in Baghdad and one in Kerbala.
Two British soldiers were killed and another injured in a roadside bomb attack in Basra, in southern Iraq.
Parliament meets again
Iraqi's parliament met today for its third normal session since December's election.
Prime Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki has until 22 May to present a government to the assembly for a vote.
The Shia Fadhila Party, which withdrew from government negotiations on Friday, said it would not return to the talks even if it was given the powerful oil ministry.
Fadhila is a member of the dominant United Alliance bloc.
