Maliki throws a tantrum

In what is likely to result in significant political tensions in the coming weeks - Nouri al-Maliki's, State of Law, party have emerged with two seats fewer than Iraqiya. The result means that Maliki is likely to loose his position as PM in the coming weeks as Iraqiya seek an alliance with other major parties to form a ruling coalition. Maliki has already decried the result alleging widespread fraud and demanding a manual recount. However, both the Iraq Election Commission and UN body assigned to oversee the election had deemed the poll free and fair. It will now be up to the Iraqi Supreme Court to give the results a final sign off before becoming official. In the mean time pressure from Maliki will continue to be borne down on the bodies assigned to oversee the poll. But will there be violence? Maliki's election platform was based on returning law and order to the country. If there was one party we had to choose to feel aggrieved it would be the State of Law - a coalition of parties that have openly based their political outlook on due process and rule of law. However, fringe groups will continue to attempt to undermine the political system. The Islamic State of Iraq, aka al-Qaeda in Iraq, have already stated that they will be moving towards targeting political parties. The group has shown a tremendous ability to fight on despite loosing large swathes of territory in the west and centre in recent years. Its highly complex multiple terrorist bombings in supposedly well-protected urban centres has surprised many, no least the 1 million strong Iraqi security forces. Interesting times ahead for Iraq.