BAGHDAD, Iraq — The acting parliament speaker said today he will convene the Iraqi legislature next week to push forward the formation of a new government stalled over the issue of who will serve as prime minister. Meanwhile, a series of car bombs in three Iraqi cities left at least eight people dead and dozens wounded. Two U.S. soldiers were also killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb south of Baghdad.

Adnan Pachachi, a Sunni Arab, told a news conference he decided to convene the assembly Monday because "it's my duty to the Iraqi people to preserve the credibility of the democratic process."

Pachachi added that Shiite politicians told him they hope to have the deadlock over the nomination of Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari resolved in time for the session.

As the biggest bloc in parliament, the Shiites have the right to nominate the head of government. But Sunni and Kurdish parties oppose the Shiite choice of al-Jaafari for another term.