At least six bombs detonated across the city in apparent attacks against police patrols, officials said.

Most of the dead were believed to be civilians, although policemen were also said to be among the casualties.

The bloodshed erupted as the parliament met to try and form a government of national unity. Insurgents and police also clashed in northern Iraq.

Some reports suggested the death toll in Baghdad could be as high as 19, with dozens more injured.

Market attack

In the deadliest blast, at least five civilians were killed when a bomb aimed at a police patrol exploded on Palestine Street, officials said.

In northern Baghdad, three policemen were killed when their patrol hit a roadside bomb, which left another 13 people wounded.

At least three more civilians were killed when a bomb detonated at a market in the southern part of the city, police said.

Hospital sources told Reuters news agency that another three people were killed in a blast near Baghdad airport.

There was further violence in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, where clashes with insurgents left one policeman dead.

The violence erupted as the Iraqi parliament met under Prime Minister designate Nuri al-Maliki, to try and form a government of national unity.