国际英语资讯:Iraqs Shiite Cleric Sadr meets elections 2nd winner over forming new govt_时事

国际英语资讯:Iraqs Shiite Cleric Sadr meets elections 2nd winner over forming new govt

BAGHDAD, May 20 -- The prominent Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose al-Sa'iroon political coalition won most seats in the country's May 12 parliamentary elections, met on Sunday with Hadi al-Ameri, the second winner of the election to discuss the formation of a new government.

A statement by Sadr office said Sadr met with Ameri, head of al-Fath political Coalition, which represents Hashd Shaabi militias, and discussed "the developments of the political process and the results of 2018 parliamentary elections."

"The formation of the government must be a national decision and importantly, all the winning political blocs must participate," the statement said.

Early on Saturday, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced the final results of the parliamentary elections, which showed that the al-Sa'iroon won 54 seats in the upcoming 329-seat parliament, while Ameri's al-Fath came in the second place with 47 seats.

Al-Fath is an umbrella group for the Shiite political Badr Organization, which has close ties with Iran, in addition to paramilitary Shiite militias of Hashd Shaabi who fought Islamic State (IS) group with the government forces.

Sadr's meeting with Ameri came hours after Sadr's meeting with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, whose al-Nasr political Coalition came third with 42 seats.

Abadi and Sadr discussed "working together to speed up the formation of a new government that should be strong and provide services, jobs, improving living standards and fighting corruption," according to a statement by Abadi's office.