Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced that he was ready to cooperate in forming the “strongest government” for the country as Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr was tipped on Tuesday to win the weekend’s parliamentary elections. His shock victory will deal a blow to Iranian and American influence in Iraq. Triumph for the veteran nationalists Marching Towards Reform alliance with Iraqs communists -- pitched an anti-corruption outsider force -- would be a slap in the face for Iraqs ruling establishment. Sadr -- who has ruled himself out of becoming prime minister -- looks likely to be the key powerbroker and has already mooted a technocrat government of some dozen parties that bridge sectarian divides. Counting was still ongoing three days after the first parliamentary poll since the defeat of the ISIS organization, but Sadr’s grouping was in the lead with 16 of 18 provinces tallied. But with his group set to be far from a majority in parliament, wrangling over any potential coalition should take months -- and there remain major obstacles ahead that could thwart Sadrs ambitions. The elections Saturday -- hit by record abstentions -- saw a clear rejection of the Iraqi elite that has run the country since the ouster of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Tallies put the anti-establishment Conquest Alliance of pro-Iranian former paramilitary fighters who helped battle ISIS in second, and incumbent Abadis bloc back in third. Abadi -- a consensus figure favored by the US -- had been seen as likely frontrunner after declaring victory over ISIS five months ago. Sadr rose to prominence in the wake of the US invasion, when his militia fighters fought a bloody insurgency against American troops. After years on the sidelines, he has now reinvented himself as a crusading champion of the poor who has linked up with secularists to battle corruption. Supporters in his impoverished Baghdad stronghold Sadr City were hopeful that victory could spell improvements. "If we want to change things then the prime minister needs to come from Marching Towards Reform," said Salah Jamal, 24. "We have tried all the others," Jamal insisted. "But we have had no results." The protracted horse-trading ahead comes as surging tensions between the US and Iran after Washingtons withdrawal from a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran have sparked fears of a tug-of-war over Iraq. Sadr is one of the few Iraqi politicians who is opposed to both the presence of American troops in Iraq and the overbearing influence neighboring Iran exercises over the country. Sadr is likely to face fierce opposition from established political forces, who may look to coalesce in a bid to stop him taking control. Political sources told AFP Tuesday that Tehran was already pushing meetings among his Shiite rivals to seek a way to head off Sadr. One of the alliances being suggested would see Abadi link up with the Conquest Alliance of former anti-ISIS commander Hadi al-Ameri. While speculation swirls, the next concrete step remains completing the vote count and firming up the final makeup of Iraqs new 329-seat parliament. Recounts following disputes in the Dohuk and Kirkuk provinces have delayed any final announcement, but officials said a full tally should be out over the next two days.