The Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Thursday he had enough support to build a coalition government after elections a day earlier.

The Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Thursday he had enough support to build a coalition government after elections a day earlier.

But with vote counting having only just started and final results not expected for at least two weeks, he said "we have an ability to pass the 165 (seat threshold)" required to form a majority government.

"We have confidence that we will achieve a political majority," he added.

"I am warning against going back to the sectarian (quotas), and I will not be part of it," he said.

The premier insisted he was willing to give up the post if he was unable to form a government, saying: "My mother did not give birth to me as a minister or a prime minister."

"I am not interested in this subject (of being prime minister)," he said, before adding: "At the same time... if I were the choice, I would consider myself obliged to respond."

The Iraqi leader hailed the public participation in the elections, pointing that the event challenges terrorism which has been striking the country for a long time.