THE TELEGRAPH: Iraq is heading for a dangerous and uncertain future after its prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, lost its general election by the narrowest of margins but refused to step down without a fight.
After three weeks of counting, marred by delays and accusations of fraud, the nationalist Iraqiya bloc led by Ayad Allawi won 91 seats, to 89 for Mr Maliki's State of Law.
Mr Maliki, who earlier accused election officials of fixing the result and demanded a recount, said the result was "not final" and that he did not accept it.
More worryingly, his supporters have openly threatened there would be a return to sectarian violence if Mr Allawi were declared the winner. >>> Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent | Friday, March 26, 2010
