“The next government will include all sectors of society and represent all people without exception,” Sadr told a joint news conference after the meeting at his office.

For his part, Abadi stressed that all Iraqi forces must accept the results of the elections and stated: “During my meeting with Moqtada al-Sadr, we agreed to work together with other political forces to accelerate the process of forming a new Iraqi government.”

“We are working with the political blocs to form a strong government that provides services and employment opportunities and there is a match of views with Sadr [that it is best] to form a government that accommodates everyone,” he added.

Sadr has led a series of meetings with cleric Ammar al-Hakim, head of the National Wisdom Movement, and ambassadors of Iraq's neighbors, as well as telephone calls from the leaders of Iraq's political process to discuss the shape of the government after the final results of Iraq's parliamentary elections were announced.

Sa’eroon topped the results of the election, followed by the Fatah bloc led by Hadi al-Ameri, head of Fateh, and Prime Minister Haider Abadi’s Nasr coming in third.

Reporter’s code: 50101