With voters lining up in large numbers, polling stations stayed open until 6pm (1500GMT). As voting ended, celebratory gunfire rang out in Baghdad, as much in jubilation as it was in relief for the day having passed off in relative peace.

The decision to extend the closing time was the clearest indication that there was a large turnout at the country's more than 33,000 polling stations.

"This is a historic day for the Iraqi people, the Middle East and the world, a historic day for the advance of freedom"