Al-Sadr: Iraq government to be inclusive in future

BAGHDAD — Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose coalition won the largest number of seats in Iraq’s parliamentary elections, has sought to reassure Iraqis about their next government, saying it will be “inclusive” and mindful of their needs.

The electoral commission announced early Saturday that the militant-turned-populist preacher, who has long spoken out against both Iranian and U.S. influence in Iraq, had defeated his establishment rivals.

No single bloc won a majority in the May 12 vote, raising the prospect of weeks or even months of negotiations to agree on a government. Major political players began talks soon after the election’s partial results were announced last week. The latest round of talks was held Sunday between Mr. alSadr and Hadi al-Amiri, the leader of a coalition of Shiite paramilitary forces backed by the government and neighboring Iran.

Even before final results were announced early Saturday, Mr. al-Sadr — who did not run as a candidate and has ruled himself out as prime minister — had made clear whom he considers natural political allies. At the top of his list is Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the moderate Shiite leader who has been America’s partner in the fight against the Islamic State terror group.

Pointedly absent from Mr. al-Sadr’s list of potential partners: pro-Iranian blocs, as he has insistently distanced himself from his former patrons in Iran.

Early Sunday morning, he met Mr. al-Abadi, whose bloc made a surprisingly poor showing in the election, finishing third behind the blocs led by Mr. al-Sadr and Mr. al-Amiri. They discussed forming a government, and aides from both sides said the men saw eye to eye on prioritizing the fight against corruption.