shanny
03-29-2010, 09:39 AM
BAGHDAD, March 29 (UPI) -- The secular Iraqiya list in Iraq announced it voted unanimously to nominate Iyad Allawi to serve as the next prime minister of Iraq.
Iraqi elections officials Friday confirmed the Iraqiya list won the March 7 vote with 91 seats in the 325-member Parliament.
"According to the constitution we will be asked to form a government and Iraqiya has unanimously decided to put forward Iyad Allawi as candidate for prime minister," said Iraqiya spokesman Maysoon al-Damluji.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had called on elections officials to conduct a manual recount of all the votes as the lead slipped away for his State of Law coalition.
Damluji, however, said Iraqiya was extending its hand to all of the political entities that competed in parliamentary elections, saying it was time for a new beginning in Iraq.
Iraqiya also thanked Maliki and the previous government for their service to the country. "We hope they will respect the will of the Iraqi people and we are sure they will continue to serve Iraq," the spokesman added.
Maliki became prime minister of Iraq in 2006 as the country teetered on the brink of civil war. His State of Law coalition largely swept provincial council elections in 2009 but lost to Iraqiya in 2010 by two parliamentary seats.
It could take several months for Iraq to form a national government, though it is largely expected to take place before the holy month of Ramadan in August.
Iraqi elections officials Friday confirmed the Iraqiya list won the March 7 vote with 91 seats in the 325-member Parliament.
"According to the constitution we will be asked to form a government and Iraqiya has unanimously decided to put forward Iyad Allawi as candidate for prime minister," said Iraqiya spokesman Maysoon al-Damluji.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had called on elections officials to conduct a manual recount of all the votes as the lead slipped away for his State of Law coalition.
Damluji, however, said Iraqiya was extending its hand to all of the political entities that competed in parliamentary elections, saying it was time for a new beginning in Iraq.
Iraqiya also thanked Maliki and the previous government for their service to the country. "We hope they will respect the will of the Iraqi people and we are sure they will continue to serve Iraq," the spokesman added.
Maliki became prime minister of Iraq in 2006 as the country teetered on the brink of civil war. His State of Law coalition largely swept provincial council elections in 2009 but lost to Iraqiya in 2010 by two parliamentary seats.
It could take several months for Iraq to form a national government, though it is largely expected to take place before the holy month of Ramadan in August.