Iraqi premier Nuri al-Maliki's bid to retain his job gained steam on Saturday, as early results crucially put him ahead in Baghdad, while rival blocs began jostling over the formation of a government.

Though the preliminary figures represent less than one-third of all votes cast, they have put Maliki firmly in pole position in the race for the top job, with only ex-Premier Iyad Allawi having emerged as a potential rival.

The results from Iraq's second parliamentary election since Saddam Hussein's ouster seven years ago, which sparked widespread sectarian bloodshed, come less than six months ahead of a dramatic US military downsizing, which will see all American combat troops leave the country by the end of August.

Analysts said, however, that Maliki could be blocked in his bid to hold onto office even if his State of Law Alliance was the biggest single party in parliament, as other groups could maneuver to form a government without him.

-AFP/NOW Lebanon