Reuters: Cleric Sadr, in surprise comeback, seems set to win Iraq election
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Nationalist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a long-time adversary of the United States, led in Iraq’s parliamentary election with more than half the votes counted on Monday, the electoral commission said, in a surprise turn of fortune for the Shi’ite leader.
In the first election since Islamic State was defeated in the country, Shi’ite militia chief Hadi al-Amiri’s bloc, which is backed by Iran, was in second place, while Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, once seen as the front-runner, trailed in third position.
The preliminary results were based on a count of more than 95 percent of the votes cast in 10 of Iraq’s 18 provinces.
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More News On Reports That Shia Leader Muqtada al-Sadr's Coalition Is Set To Win The Iraq Election
Iraq election: Prime minister trails rivals -- BBC
Cleric who fought US takes surprise lead in Iraq elections -- The Guardian
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi trails in preliminary election results -- DW
Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr leading in Iraq's election -- Al Jazeera
Iraq elections: Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr's coalition takes early lead -- UPI
Cleric who bloodied US and pro-Iran fighter frontrunners in Iraq vote -- AFP
Early Results in Iraq Election Favor Populist Cleric Al-Sadr -- Bloomberg
Iraq election: Polls show Iraqi PM lags behind Shia rivals -- Al Jazeera
Disillusionment appears to help Shiite cleric in Iraq vote -- AP
