IRAQ: Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said yesterday he expected the country's next government to be Islamist but hoped that more liberal voices would be heard in the shaping of Iraq's future.
In his first interview since the January 30th vote, Iraq's leading secular politician said he hoped the winners would include all sectors of Iraqi society in the formation of the next administration.
Results released on Sunday show the United Iraqi Alliance, a coalition of largely Shia groups formed with the tacit support of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's foremost Shia cleric, won 48 per cent of the vote.
"The United Iraqi Alliance are Islamists. Some are liberal, sure, but they tend to be more Islamist," Mr Allawi said.
"The Iraqi people, 50 per cent of the Iraqi people, decided that they want to see an Islamic government in Iraq and we must respect that.
"I am satisfied with the results because it is clearly the decision of the Iraqi people. Its decision is to support the Islamic factions ... this is democracy.
"Our beliefs are clear," he said of his coalition. "Rule in Iraq should be liberal and not under political religion."
Mr Allawi's coalition came third in the vote, winning about 14 per cent, enough to secure him around 40 seats in the 275-seat National Assembly. A coalition of Iraq's two main Kurdish parties came second, winning a little over 25 per cent of votes.
Mr Allawi, who has been interim Prime Minister since June last year and is regarded as having developed good relations with his top ally, President Bush, said he would not be upset to lose his job.
He had been tipped to be a compromise candidate for the post if the United Iraqi Alliance, which was always expected to win the election, could not agree on a candidate.
Yesterday they looked to have agreed that Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the Islamist leader of the religious Dawa Party, would be their choice.
"Personally, I don't like the idea of continuing (to be Prime Minister)," Mr Allawi said, smiling. "But I will of course continue to do my political work."
If Mr Jaafari were to get the job, he is likely to bring a more Islamic approach after six months under the secular leadership of Mr Allawi.
However, it remains to be seen how much Islamic influence there will be because the Shias' power is likely to be checked by the more secular-minded Kurds, whose powerful showing in the election put them in a kingmaker role.
Mr Allawi said any decision on whether he participates in the government would depend on whether his coalition is involved. It is not ruled out that his coalition could still try to put him forward for prime minister, although it is unlikely.
"Today we began discussions and it will continue," he said.
"We are discussing if we should take part in the bid for the prime ministership or not."
But more important than the horse-trading for the top positions that is currently gripping the country, Mr Allawi said there was a need to bring all parties - Sunni Arabs, secular Shias and others - into the debate.
"There are two main things that must happen to ensure the continuity of the political process. First, there should be a clear vision and insistence that all Iraqi factions take part in the political process with deeds, not only words.
"Second is to have a dialogue, a real one, for writing the constitution. If we manage to make this balance then this is the fruit we will get from the elections."
Without that inclusiveness, there was the risk of imbalance sneaking into Iraq's political life, he suggested.
"My political belief is that we don't think it's appropriate to have a political-religious rule in Iraq," he said.
"Liberal and democratic forces which agree with us on that point must unite their efforts and ideas."