Iraq's Shi'ite Islamists were confirmed in power by election results today that gave them a near-majority and opened the way for US-backed negotiations with Kurds and Sunni Arabs on a national unity government.
With Baghdad all but sealed off by security forces on alert for attacks by Sunni rebels who accused the ruling Shi'ite Alliance of cheating in last month's poll, two civilians were killed in one of several bomb attacks on US and Iraqi patrols.
In the city of Ramadi, insurgents fired rockets at US and Iraqi bases, causing some minor injuries, the military said. There was celebratory gunfire in the holy Shi'ite city of Najaf.
Troops and police blocked roads between Baghdad and the restive provinces of Anbar, Salahaddin and Diyala and were hunting kidnappers who had threatened to kill a US journalist by a Friday deadline; leading Sunni Arab figures joined Jill Carroll's family and colleagues in calling for her release.
By midnight, Baghdad time, there was no word on her fate.
Despite angry reactions to the rejection of their complaints about the Dec. 15 vote, many Sunni political leaders, who boycotted last year's interim assembly but now have a fifth of the 275 seats in the new parliament, are already discussing places in a grand coalition with the Shi'ites, Kurds and others.
"Now that the results are out we're going to start serious talks in Baghdad to form a national unity government based on these results," Alliance official Abbas al-Bayati told Reuters, adding that meetings could begin as soon as Saturday.
Sunni politician Hussein al-Falluji, accusing U.S. officials of pressuring international monitors to cover up massive fraud, said negotiations would be tough but would go ahead.
Hardliner Saleh al-Mutlak, who shares rebel aims, said: "If we can agree with our brothers on a national patriotic project to ensure the unity of Iraq, we will be part of the government."
Agencies