Bombs blast Baghdad market-police

BAGHDAD, May 22 (Reuters) Two bombs blasted a Baghdad market today causing an as yet unknown number of casualties, police sources said.

A car bomb and another bomb, apparently planted close to the street, struck the crowded area in the New Baghdad district in the mainly Shi'ite east of the capital.

One policeman said initial reports indicated at least 10 people were wounded. As well as the market, there was also a health clinic nearby.

Officials have warned of a possible increase in attacks by Sunni militants like al Qaeda following the appointment of a new, national unity government on Saturday, after months of negotiation. At least 19 people were killed in three bomb attacks in the capital yesterday.

The Mujahideen Council, an al Qaeda-led militant group, said one of its fighters had carried out Sunday's suicide bombing that killed at least 13 people at a Baghdad restaurant, according to a statement posted on the Internet.

''One of our lions set off to embed himself among infidel policemen at a restaurant and caused grave damage, killing at least 20 of them,'' said the statement.

REUTERS CH RK1250