Iraq's Main Shi'ite Party Denies Election Setback
By VOA News
02 February 2009
Iraq's main Shi'ite religious party has denied reports that it suffered a major setback to rival Shi'ite parties in provincial elections on Saturday.
The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council said Monday it finished in first or second place in most Iraqi provinces that took part in the vote. It also promised to remain a key player in Iraqi politics.
Iraqi media said unofficial election results suggest that many Iraqis turned away from the Council and other religious parties they blame for fueling sectarian tensions. The reports said that sentiment benefited allies of Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who campaigned on a law-and-order platform rather than religious themes.
Official results from the elections in 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces are not expected for at least several days as vote counting continues. Saturday's elections took place without any major violence. Fifty-one percent of eligible voters are said to have taken part.
In another development, U.S. President Barack Obama said a substantial number of U.S. troops in Iraq could be home within one year.
In an interview on U.S. television, NBC, late Sunday, Mr. Obama said Iraq's provincial elections were "very significant" and signaled that Iraqis are ready to handle more of their own security.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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