Iraqi leader says troops should stay

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BAGHDAD -- Iraqi President Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer said yesterday that it would be "complete nonsense" to ask foreign troops to leave the country now, although some could depart by year's end.

Officials, meanwhile, began the final vote tally from elections to produce a government to confront the insurgency.

Despite scattered clashes in rebel areas across the country, Iraq reopened its borders yesterday and commercial flights took off from Baghdad International Airport as authorities eased security restrictions imposed to protect Sunday's landmark elections.

In Baghdad, about 200 election workers began the second -- and possibly final -- stage of the count.

They reviewed tally sheets prepared by workers who counted ballots starting Sunday night at the 5,200 polling centers across the country and began crunching the numbers into 80 computer terminals. Officials said no figures were expected to be released immediately.

The ballots have been sent to Baghdad, but will not be recounted unless there are challenges or discrepancies in the tally sheets, officials said.

A Shi'ite clerical-backed alliance was expected to win the largest number of seats in the 275-member National Assembly created in the elections. But the alliance is not expected to win the two-thirds majority required to name a prime minister without support from other parties.

Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's ticket was expected to finish second among the 111 candidate lists.

Sunday's elections, which occurred without catastrophic rebel attacks, raised hopes that a new Iraqi government would be able to assume greater responsibility for security, hastening the day when the 170,000 U.S. and other foreign troops can return home.

During a press conference, Mr. al-Yawer was asked whether the presence of foreign troops might be fueling the Sunni Arab revolt by encouraging rebel attacks.