Results of first post U.S.-occupation parliamentarian elections in Iraq gives Maliki an edge, but not a majority that would allow him to form a majority government on his own as he hoped

Iraq needs a strong government to face the ethnic and religious divisions that continue to cost Iraq nearly 1000 lives every month in the last few months. Most recently, al-Qaeda affiliates or al-Qaeda alike armed groups took control of several cities and towns in western Iraq threatening the unity of the country. Also, Kurdish leaders are threatening separation if Maliki is elected to a third term, mostly because Kurdish leaders are not happy with Maliki's handling of the disputed Kirkuk area and the sale of oil from Kurdish regions. 

The war in Syria is creating another challenge to security officials and any new government must deal with the rise of armed rebels in Sunni areas.

Results of first post U.S.-occupation parliamentarian elections in Iraq gives Maliki an edge, but not a majority that would allow him to form a majority government on his own as hoped. Official results are as follows:

List	Leader (ethnic/religious/ideological id)	# of Seats won
State of Rule of Law	Maliki (Shi`ite, Arab, mostly, conservative)	95
Sadr affiliated lists	Varies (Shi`ite, Arab, conservative)	32
Al-Muwatin	`Ammar al-Hakim (Shi`ite, Arab, mixed)	29
Muttahidun	Usama al-Nujayfi (Sunni, Arab, mixed)	23
Wataniyya	Ayad Allawi (Shi`ite, Arab, liberal…)	21
KDP	Barzani, Kurdistan Democratic Party (Kurdish, secular…)	19
PUK	Talabani, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, (Kurdish, secular…)	19
All Others	…	90
Total		328