(BBC News) Iraq's two biggest Shia political groups have announced they are to form a coalition, the first such announcement since elections in March.

The deal between the Iraqi National Alliance and The State of Law bloc, led by incumbent Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, was announced in Baghdad.

The number of seats held by the new coalition falls just short of the number needed to form a government.

For further details, see the full article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8661680.stm