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February 2, 2009

Al-Maliki & Allies Poised for Sweeping Victory in Iraq
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In Iraq, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his allies look poised for a
sweeping victory in provincial polls. Official results will not be
published for weeks, but leaders of rival Shia parties acknowledged
today that Maliki’s State of Law coalition appeared to be heading for a
strong win in some Shia areas. Just over half of Iraq’s 14 million
registered voters went to the polls Saturday, the lowest turnout in
elections held since the US-led invasion. Tens of thousands of
internally displaced Iraqis were unable to cast their vote. On Sunday,
President Obama said a substantial number of the 140,000 US troops in
Iraq would be home within a year.



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