Roadside bombs in Iraq have claimed more American lives, killing three US soldiers in separate attacks in Baghdad and Sunni Muslim areas to the north of the capital. At least six soldiers were injured in the attacks, one critically.

　　In the biggest attack, one soldier from Task Force Iron Horse was killed and four were wounded in a roadside bombing in Baqouba, 55 kilometers northeast of Baghdad. One of the wounded was critically injured and the other three were in guarded condition, the military said.

　　A soldier from Task Force Olympia was killed and another wounded by a bomb on Monday evening in Tall Afar in northern Iraq. A soldier from the 1st Armored Division died and another was wounded in a bombing on Monday in central Baghdad.

　　The latest deaths brought to 541 the number of Americans who have died since US President George W. Bush launched the Iraq war on March 20.

　　As the casualties mount, the United States and its allies are preparing to hand over sovereignty to the Iraqis by July 1, despite disagreements over the best way to choose a new government.

　　Some members of the Governing Council said the US-favored use of caucuses was losing support.

　　"This system is alien to us," said Naseer Kamel al-Chaderchi, a Sunni Muslim. "It's based on city councils and the integrity of these councils is in question."

　　Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish Sunni member of the council, agreed that the caucus plan has little support. He said the Americans could simply hand over sovereignty to the Governing Council but most Iraqis wouldn't accept it because the body was appointed by the United States.

　　On Monday, US administrator L. Paul Bremer said he would move to block any effort by Iraqi leaders to put Islamic law as the foundation of legislation in the interim constitution, which is supposed to take effect at the end of February.

　　Bremer must sign all measures passed by the 25-member council before they can become law, including the interim constitution.

　　(The Associated Press)