The winners are...

The results are in on the Iraq elections and there's no surprises. With greater Sunni participation, although the Shia won a large majority of the seats, it wasn't enough to rule outright and the Sunnis gained a proportionate influence in the parliament thus ensuring the need for a coalition government.

The most interesting outcome was this.

Ahmed Chalabi, a Shiite politician once favored by the United States to lead Iraq after Hussein, did not receive a seat.

I think that speaks volumes about Iraqi sentiment towards the occupation. Meanwhile,

U.S. officials hope that a greater Sunni voice in the new parliament and government will help defuse the insurgency so American and other international troops can begin withdrawing.

That's I'm hoping too. I don't want to have to put up posts like this again.