Iraqi Elections: PM-Led Bloc in Third, Sadr-Led Secular Alliance in First

Moqtada al-Sadr's supporters took to the streets of Baghdad early on Monday - (Reuters)
Moqtada al-Sadr's supporters took to the streets of Baghdad early on Monday - (Reuters)

اضافة اعلان

CAPITALS — The bloc led by Prime Minister Haider Abadi is trailing in third place in the Iraqi parliamentary elections, partial results indicate, as the nationalist alliance between Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr and mostly secular groups is in the lead.

Second to the Sadr-led alliance is the bloc linked to the Iran-backed Shiite paramilitary who fought ISIS, with more than half of votes counted.

These elections are the first since Iraq declared victory over the terrorist group, also known as Daesh, back in December. The final results are due to be announced later on Monday, triggering what are expected to be lengthy negotiations to form a new coalition government.

The US has called for an "inclusive government, responsive to the needs of all Iraqis".

Some 5,000 American troops are in Iraq supporting local forces in the battle against ISIS (Daesh), an extremist Sunni Muslim jihadist group.

(BBC)