Saddam trial judge Amin plans to quit
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-14 11:19

Sunni Arab parties have been disappointed at the results but appear ready to take part in a grand coalition government.

The United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) has 129 seats on the present tally, nine short of a majority and 11 fewer than in the interim assembly. The main Kurdish bloc has 52 seats, down from 75.

Weeks of negotiation are expected to follow on the make-up of a coalition cabinet; the Shi'ite Alliance has said it expects to nominate its choice of prime minister in the next few days.

The wife and daughter of former Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz demanded his release from prison after visiting him, saying he was seriously ill. "My father is losing weight. He suffers from pains in the heart and has blood pressure problems. He has had two strokes already," Aziz's daughter Zainab told Reuters.

Aziz, 70 last week, was the face of Saddam's regime abroad; he faces no charges but remains in the custody of U.S. forces.