Iraqi election winner, Ayad Allawi, says he's open to alliances with any faction and wants to quickly form a government that will build strong relationships with its regional neighbors.

But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has refused to accept the results, and plans to launch a challenge.

Allawi's Iraqiya coalition won 91 seats to 89 for Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's State of Law bloc,in the 325-member parliament.

The victory will enable him to try to form a coalition government with rival parties.

Iyad Allawi, former prime minister and head of the secular Iraqiya coalition, speaks during a media conference in Baghdad March 27, 2010. [CCTV]