Shia alliance to claim election win amid violence

AN alliance of Shia Muslim parties is expected to claim victory in Iraq’s elections, but continuing violence underlined the massive problems the country still faces.

The Iranian-linked coalition, guided by clerics and intent on promoting Islamic law, was set to begin celebrations after results from two-thirds of polling stations are confirmed.

As the counting of votes continued following the January 30 polls, a Kurdish coalition moved into second place, pushing a bloc led by interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi into third.