Iraq Election Results: Challenger Edges Out Iraqi PM
"No way we will accept the results," Mr. Maliki said. "These are preliminary results." Gesturing angrily, he said he would challenge the vote count through what he described as legal process. Former U.S.-backed prime minister Ayad Allawi and his secular, anti-Iranian coalition narrowly won Iraq's parliamentary elections in final returns Friday, edging out the bloc of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who angrily vowed to challenge the results. The Economist: Iyad Allawi wins most seats in Iraq, but long wrangling will decide who rules.