Allawi calls for unity as count progresses

Iraq’s interim leader called on his countrymen to set aside their differences today, while local precincts finished a first-phase count of millions of votes from the weekend election that many Iraqis hope will usher in democracy and hasten the departure of 150,000 American troops.

While they didn’t provide any numbers, electoral commission officials said turnout in hard-line Sunni areas was better than some had expected. However, a US diplomat said participation by Sunni Arab voters appeared to have been low - raising fears that the group that drives the insurgency could grow ever more alienated.