"al-Maliki said the rumors that he will create an election bloc with Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council & Muqtada al Sadr, ... are untrue"

AP/ here

"... But al-Maliki also welcomed all parties — including his Shiite rivals — to come under the umbrella of his party for the vote or afterward.... "The door is open for all."

Earlier this year, the Supreme Council and the Sadrists joined together to form the Iraqi National Alliance. Both parties enjoy close ties toIran. The bloc also includes smaller Shiite, Sunni and secular groups...... The alliance has emerged as the main threat to al-Maliki's hopes to win another four-year term at the helm after elections......"