"This is the time for all Iraqis to come together to build our future -- a new, stable, prosperous country," Allawi told a press conference in Baghdad.

Hailing the success of Sunday's parliamentary elections, Allawi said though some attacks had caused casualties, seven other attempts, "all by foreign terrorists," were foiled by the Iraqi security forces.

"Now is a suitable time for all Iraqis to work together to show the world the potential of this country," he said.The interim government led by Allawi will stay in office until a new transitional government is formed by an elected 275-seat national assembly.

"During the remaining time I will begin a national dialogue to guarantee that the voice of all Iraqis is present in the coming government," Allawi said.

Monday's press conference was the first public speech after the country-wide elections closed on Sunday.

The Independent Electoral Commission expected a better than expected voter turnout in the landmark elections, but stopped short of announcing the final statistics.

The elections, the first since the downfall of Saddam Hussein in April 2003, usher in a new course of the oil-rich but violence-shattered country.

The national assembly will be formed by proportional representation of votes with a one-year mandate. It will choose a transitional government and draft a permanent constitution put for a national referendum by Oct. 15.

A new government and parliament will then be elected through another ballot by the end of this year under the guidance of the constitution.