BAGHDAD, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Thursday that he would submit the names of ministers of three key security portfolios remained vacant so far in his government to parliament for approval on Sunday.

    "We will announce the names in the coming parliament session on Sunday," Maliki told reporters in a news conference in Baghdad.

    Amid fierce political haggling among Iraq's Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, Maliki was forced to leave the portfolios of defense,interior and national security temporarily unfilled on May 20 when he announced his new cabinet.

    The three ministries are currently headed by the prime minister himself and his two deputies.

    Maliki, a prominent Shiite leader, made the announcement almost two weeks after the government's formation.

    "We will take the persons who we believe are fit for the posts to the parliament because a full agreement among the blocs is almost impossible," Maliki said.

    The three security ministries are seen key to the new government efforts to stem out rampant violence in Iraq. Enditem