Iraq's Election Results Are In

Iraqi soldiers walked past a banner that reads “Yesterday they hanged our sons. Today they are hanging our voices,” at a rally for supporters of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki in Baghdad on Friday. Joao Silva for The New York Times

Iraq Election: Iyad Allawi's Bloc Wins Most Seats -- BBC

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's bloc has won the most seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections.

His coalition had two seats more than that of incumbent PM Nouri Maliki, officials said, in what was seen as a surprise result in the 7 March poll.

Earlier, the UN's envoy to Iraq described the election as "credible" and urged Iraqis to accept the results.

Mr Allawi will need to form a coalition government as he lacks a majority, amid fears the results may spark violence.

Just hours before the results were announced, twin bomb blasts in the town of Khalis, in Diyala province, killed at least 40 and left more than 60 injured.

Read more ....

More News On Iraq

Allawi wins Iraq election by two seats -- Sydney Morning Herald/AFP
Allawi Wins Most Seats in Iraq -- New York Times
Allawi's Coalition Wins Most Seats in Iraqi Election -- Voice of America
Allawi Bloc Wins Iraq Elections, in Upset -- Wall Street Journal
Threat of violence in Iraq after Nouri al-Maliki loses election -- The Telegraph
Iraqi PM says he will challenge election results -- AP
Iraqi elections: Allawi triumphant -- The Economist
Deadly Iraq blasts ahead of election results -- BBC
Iraq bombings kill 42 before vote results -- Reuters