Maliki's State of Law Coalition likely to win parliamentary elections

Iraq’s State of Law Coalition, led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is said to have won majority of votes in the country’s Parliamentary elections winning 96 seats out of the Parliament’s 328 seats, Iraqi Media Network reported on Sunday.

The Network quoted official sources in Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission on Sunday as saying that “the State of law Coalition led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki won 96 seats, the Liberal bloc, led by Muqtada al-Sadr won 34 seats, the Citizens Coalition, led by Ammar al-Hakim won 31 seats, The United Iraqi Aliance led by Parliament Speaker Usama al-Nujayfi won 25 seats, the Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan won 34, the National List led Ayad Allawi won 12 , the Arab bloc led by Saleh al-Mutlaq won seven seats , the Islamic Virtue Party won six seats, and the National Reform Movement also known as Islah Party led by Ibrahim al-Jaafari won six seats, the Civil Democratic Alliance won four seats and al- Sadeqoun won three seats”.

The Parliamentary elections official results are scheduled to be announced on Monday.

Meanwhile, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani welcomed the Iraqi parliamentary elections results on Sunday during his meeting with the head of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council, Medhat Mahmoud, saying “The election proved that democracy has established itself in Iraq.

Rouhani expressed hope that the new Iraqi government will move forward in enhancing relations between the two countries.

The head of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council, Medhat Mahmoud said he appreciated the Iranian President’s remarks and Iran’s positive role in maintaining and enhancing peace, stability and security in the region.