Demonstrators, some waving the national flag, take part in a rally in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday Dec. 27, 2005

Thousands of Iraqis demonstrated in Baghdad Tuesday, protesting alleged fraud in the country's parliamentary elections held earlier this month.

More than 10,000 people joined the rally supporting Sunni Arab and secular Shi'ite politicians who are calling for a national unity government.

Sunni and secular Shi'ite parties are demanding an international review of more than 1,500 election-related complaints, as well as new polls in some provinces, including Baghdad.

Election officials acknowledged receiving hundreds of complaints. But they say only a few are serious enough to affect specific results.

Initial results from the December 15 vote indicate a Shi'ite coalition, the United Iraqi Alliance, has secured a big lead in the race for the 275-seat parliament.

In the northern city of Irbil, a key Shi'ite leader, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, met Kurdish leaders to discuss plans for forming a coalition government.

Officials said Mr. al-Hakim also was to hold negotiations with Sunni Arab leaders this week.