Al-Sadr (L) and al-Abadi (R) met in Najaf [Alaa al-Marjani/Reuters]
Al Jazeera: Iraqi PM al-Abadi and Shia leader al-Sadr announce alliance
New coalition increases the chances of forming a government after weeks of political tensions following May vote.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr have announced that their blocs are joining forces in a bid to create a new government after weeks of political tensions following last month's parliamentary elections.
Sadr's Sairoon Alliance won 54 seats in the May vote to become the largest bloc in Iraq's 329-seat parliament, while Abadi's alliance - once seen as a frontrunner - came in third, with just 42 seats.
After a three-hour meeting on Saturday in the Shia holy city of Najaf, the two men issued a joint statement announcing they had set up a coalition.
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More News On Reports That Iraqi PM al-Abadi And Shia Leader al-Sadr Have Agreed To Work Together To Form A New Government
PM Abadi, Sadr alliance brings Iraq government closer -- Reuters
Iraq PM and cleric Sadr agree alliance -- AFP
Iraqi Political Alliance Unites a U.S. Friend and Foe -- New York Times
Iraqi PM Abadi and cleric Sadr agree to form political alliance -- RUDAW
In about-face, Iraq's maverick al-Sadr moves closer to Iran -- ABC News
Iraqi political leaders announce coalition deal -- RTE
Iraqi PM Abadi and Anti-American Shiite Cleric Sadr Announce Alliance -- Sputnik
