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Iraq's political leaders are preparing for a tough round of negotiations after parliamentary elections left no party with an absolute majority.
The Shia-led United Iraqi Alliance took 128 of the 275 seats, Kurdish parties 53 and the main Sunni Arab bloc 44 in results announced on Friday.
The US called on all groups to work together but insisted all decisions would be taken by the Iraqi parties.
Some Sunnis still allege poll fraud and may challenge the result.
When the results are confirmed, President Jalal Talabani will have two weeks to convene parliament, which will choose a new president within a month.
The new president then designates the prime minister, who must submit his cabinet to parliament within another month.
'Responsible government'
In Washington, state department spokesman Sean McCormack said the US wanted all parties to "work together in cross-sectarian, cross-ethnic efforts to think about forming a government".
He added: "The Iraqi people will be looking to them to form an effective, responsible government that responds to their needs."
The Shias are expected to form a government but must find coalition partners.
However, one Sunni party which won 11 parliamentary seats called on other parties to unite to form a parliamentary opposition.
Saadoun Zubaid of the Front for National Dialogue, told the BBC that an effective opposition was needed before democracy could be established.
Some Sunni politicians maintain the poll was fraudulent. International observers have also cited irregularities
Fareed Sabri, a spokesman for the main Sunni party, the Iraqi Islamic Party, said: "Our monitors on the ground in Baghdad counted that we had at least half of the seats in Baghdad.
"When the result went to the headquarters of the independent electoral committee they declared we had probably no more than 20% in Baghdad - this is not true."
Nevertheless, the Sunni representation marks a significant increase on the January 2005 election that many Sunnis boycotted.
Violence fears
The final result of the 15 December poll was announced on Friday.
The UIA's 128 seats was down from its total of 146 in the old transitional parliament.
The main Kurdish alliance also lost ground, down from 75 to 53, as a smaller rival group gained five seats.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Baghdad says there is much talk of a coalition of national unity comprising Shia, Sunni Arab and Kurdish blocs, but negotiations could take weeks or even months.
However, the US military fears there could be a surge in violence if the talks fail.
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