Iraq's interim President Ghazi al-Yawar has urged all parties - except those tainted by violence - to participate in the process of forming the country's next government following Sunday's landmark election.

Mr. al-Yawar, who is a Sunni Arab, said Tuesday even Sunni Muslim parties that called for a boycott of the vote should participate.

In a similar message Monday, interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi urged Iraqis to unite after Sunday's election, which he called a major blow to insurgents.

Election officials say they have finished a preliminary vote count and are dispatching returns to Baghdad for the final tally. Final results and the naming of 275 elected members of the interim national assembly may take up to 10 days.

Also Tuesday, Iraqi authorities eased restrictions and reopened the country's borders that were closed to curb violence during the vote.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.