Supporters of Maliki complained of cheating after earlier partial results showed their candidate trailing Allawi in an election so tight that it is expected to take months of tough negotiations to form a new government.

But Allawi, who served as prime minister from 2004-5, lost his narrow edge when new data released late on March 17 showed Maliki's alliance ahead by some 40,000 votes nationwide.

No matter what the final outcome, Allawi's strong showing, particularly among minority Sunnis resentful of the dominance of Shi'ite religious parties since 2003, has broad implications for the formation of the next government and stability in the country once US troops withdraw.

Reuters