Roadside bombs have killed three US soldiers in separate attacks in Baghdad and Sunni Muslim areas to the north of the Iraqi capital.
In the biggest attack, one soldier was killed and four were wounded in a roadside bombing in Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad. One of the wounded was critically injured and the other three were in stable condition.
A soldier was killed and another wounded by a bomb last night in Tall Afar in northern Iraq.
A soldier from the 1st Armoured Division died and another was wounded in a bombing in central Baghdad yesterday.
The latest deaths brought to 541 the number of Americans who have died since President George W. Bush launched the Iraq war on March 20th. Most of the casualties have occurred since Mr Bush declared an end to active combat on May 1st.
As the casualties mount, the United States and its allies are preparing to hand over sovereignty to the Iraqis by July 1st, despite disagreements over the best way to choose a new government.
US administrator Mr 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.