Firebrand cleric’s bloc wins Iraq parliamentary polls

By Amir al-Saadi

BAGHDAD

Firebrand Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s bloc has won most seats in Iraq’s parliamentary election, according to official results released by the country’s electoral commission early Saturday.

Sadir’s Sairoon coalition won 54 seats in parliament, followed by the Al-Fatih coalition -- led by the pro-government Shia force Hashd al-Shaabi -- which came in second place with 47 seats, the commission said.

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi’s Nasr (Victory) coalition trailed third with 42 seats in the 328-seat parliament.

Al-Sadr’s coalition did not win the majority needed to form a government alone but will play a primary role in selecting the next prime minister.

Al-Sadr is known for his hostile positions to the U.S. and presence of U.S. military forces in Iraq.

The poll results were announced one week after Iraqis cast their ballot in the first parliamentary election since the country announced the defeat of the Daesh terrorist group after a three-year war.

Preliminary results were announced earlier this week, but allegations of fraud and irregularities delayed the complete count.