Iraqi PM'' bloc leads in partial tally

New partial results in Iraq's crucial parliamentary elections show Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's State of Law coalition leading in Baghdad and Kabarla, a Shiite province in the south.

Overall, the bloc is ahead in five of the provinces that have released results.

Al-Maliki's bloc is in the overall lead, with preliminary results having been announced during the week by election officials since last Sunday's vote. It is ahead in the major provinces of Baghdad, Najaf and Karbala.

Qassim al-Aboudi of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) speaks to reporters in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, March 13, 2010. (AP Photo/Karim kadim)