Supporters of radical cleric 'win province'

Followers of radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr are poised to win control of a province in Iraq, according to predicted election results.

Candidates supporting the cleric - whose militia fought against British troops - appear set to win Maysan province in Shia-dominated south-east Iraq. They are also expected to do well in nearby provinces, including Basra. A senior British officer in Basra said: "We have to live with it."

Last year coalition forces fought Moqtada's Mahdi Army when it staged a revolt and tried to take over the Imam Ali shrine in the holy city of Najaf. In August British troops seized the head offices of his movement in Basra.

He did not stand in the election, but he ran a list of individual supporters.

First results of provincial council elections are expected today. The national assembly result is expected to be declared next Thursday, the Muslim New Year.