Roadside bombs kill eight

Insurgents launched fresh attacks, killing four US soldiers and four Iraqi security troops in roadside bombings, as partial returns from the historic elections show a Shiite alliance with ties to Iran rolling up a strong lead over pro-US Prime Minister Ayad Allawi.

More returns from the voting for the 275-member National Assembly were expected to be announced today. They are expected to confirm a strong showing by the United Iraqi Alliance, which is endorsed by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s most influential Shiite cleric.