Iraqi prime minister back at work after surgery

Baghdad - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was back at work on Thursday after undergoing surgery, Iraqi state television reported.

The prime minister had undergone "successful" surgery at Medical City, the country's largest hospital, Baghdad's Aswat al-Iraq news agency reported, citing the government-funded al-Iraqia TV, but did not elaborate except to say that al-Maliki had resumed work.

The news came as Iraqis waited to hear preliminary results from Sunday's parliamentary elections that most observers predicted were likely to show a narrow victory for the prime minister's State of Law coalition.

UN and electoral officials said preliminary results could be released as early as Thursday evening.

DPA