[14 February 2005] BAGHDAD,(Saba) - Iraq's long-oppressed Shiite majority scored a resounding victory in the first vote since Saddam Hussein's downfall,
setting the stage for the first Shiite government in an Arab state in 1,000 years.

The Shi'ite list, known as the United Iraqi Alliance, took around 48 percent of the vote. But that was less than the bloc had predicted and leaves it six or seven seats short of a majority in parliament.

The Kurdish alliance was poised to become the country's second political force, while the list of Prime Minister Iyad Allawi came in a distant third.

U.S. President George W. Bush praised Iraqis and said America and its allies should be proud for making the election possible.

"I congratulate the Iraqi people for defying terrorist threats and setting their country on the path of democracy and freedom," he said in a statement.


"And I congratulate every candidate who stood for election and those who will take office once the results are certified.''

TD/KM

SABA