Baghdad  - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced on Thursday a new 40-party coalition to compete in the parliamentary elections next January.

Al-Maliki said that the Dawlat al-Qanoon (State of Law) list "includes a group of the finest people of Iraq, political, intellectual and tribal figures, expressing their faith in the unity of Iraq and to promote national unity."

"The birth of this coalition is a historic turning point for building the modern Iraqi state in accordance with national bases, away from the policy of marginalization and adopting integrity," al-Maliki told a ceremony held to announce the new coalition.

The coalition, lead by al-Maliki, a Shiite, includes Sunni, Shiite, Christian, Liberal, Turkmen and independent tribal leaders and politicians, according to Hassan al-Sanid, a leader in al- Maliki's Dawaa party.

"Everyone is united against any attempt to foment sectarian strife, we will strike terrorism in all its forms and will not allow the return of the militias," added the prime minister.

Al-Sanid, who is also al-Maliki's adviser, said there are still more than 30 parties with whom al-Maliki is negotiating with a view to joining the coaltion.

The State of Law's main rival is the Iraqi National Alliance, which was formed by Shiite leader Ammar al-Hakim before his death last month, replacing the dispute-driven United Iraqi Alliance.

Since the US-led invasion in 2003 and the ousting of Saddam Hussein, Iraqi politics have been dominated by sectarian disputes, with the country's Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish blocs competing for power.

However, al-Maliki is hoping to gain from a visible shift towards secular-oriented politics seen during the provincial elections earlier this year. (dpa)