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Mon 03 Mar 2010Iraqi PM in coalition discussions with parties
PARTIAL RESULTS in Iraq’s March 7th parliamentary election released yesterday showed the State of Law alliance headed by prime minister Nouri al-Maliki to be leading in Basra, an oil-rich province in the south of the country.
This gives him a substantial edge in six of 18 provinces, including Baghdad, the prize, with 70 seats in the 325-member assembly. A moderate Shia fundamentalist who tried to appeal to all communities, Mr Maliki has opened coalition negotiations with other factions.
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