Now is time for us to unite, says Allawi

Interim prime minister Iyad Allawi urged Iraqis to unite today after an election he said had defeated those seeking power through violence.

In his first TV address since polls closed in yesterday's national assembly election he said: "Now is the time for all Iraqis to come together. I call on those who cast ballots and those who did not to unite. The terrorists have been defeated."

He promised a "national dialogue" to "guarantee a voice for all Iraqis in the new government" - an attempt to reach out to Sunni Arabs who boycotted the polls.

As vote-counting continued, Mr Allawi, speaking from inside Baghdad's high-security Green Zone, said results would be ready in about two weeks. Election officials said turnout had been higher than the predicted 57 per cent out of 14 million eligible voters.

Tony Blair hailed the results as "a beginning democracy".

Seats in the 275-member assembly will be allocated by proportional representation. The assembly will elect a president and two deputies, who will choose a prime minister and cabinet.

The assembly will then draft a constitution by 15 August. It must go to a referendum no later than 15 October. A new general election must take place by 15 December.