BAGHDAD, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Vacant key portfolios of interior,defense and national security in the newly-inaugurated Iraqi government have not been filled yet, a prominent Iraqi lawmaker said on Saturday.

    Adnan al-Dulaimi, who heads the largest Sunni Arab bloc in the parliament, told a news conference held in Baghdad that new ministers of defense, interior and national security had not been chosen yet.

    Dulaimi also voiced hope that the three key posts, left vacant when the new government was sworn in on May 20, would be filled within two or three days.

    Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shiite, told Iraqi TV onTuesday that he would present the names of the three ministers to parliament on Saturday.

    The new Iraqi government is fighting an uphill battle to stem out bloodshed in the country with the defense, interior and national security portfolios considered key to the anti-violence efforts. Enditem