Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has vowed to contest the results of parliamentary elections that saw former PM Iyad Allawi win a narrow victory.

Speaking angrily on national television, he said he would challenge the count through what he described as a legal process.

Mr Allawi won by only two seats, paving the way for weeks of political wrangling to form a new government.

Earlier, UN envoy to Iraq Ad Melkert said the election had been credible.

He called on all parties to accept the outcome.