Iraqi PM Maliki leads in first election results

Final results could take a fortnight to emerge

Preliminary results from Iraq's election show the grouping of PM Nouri Maliki is leading in two southern provinces, the electoral body says.

The partial results from Najaf and Babil, in the Shia south, are the first released - four days after balloting.

Full initial results, which will be made public when 30% of the ballots are counted, could be released later by the Independent High Electoral Commission.

Final results for all 18 provinces are not expected for a fortnight.

The commission results showed Mr Maliki's State of Law coalition with 124,734 votes in the two provinces with at least 30% of votes counted, followed by 103,583 for the Shia-dominated Iraqi National Alliance.

It is unlikely one party will form a government alone and there may be months of negotiations on a coalition.

About 6,200 candidates from 86 factions campaigned for seats in the 325-member parliament.

Voter turnout was 62%, officials said, despite attacks that killed 38 people on Sunday.

It was down on the 75% turnout figure for the 2005 general election.