The secular,Shi'ite-Sunni bloc led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi took the most seats, but two more overtly Shi'ite groups are said to be close to forming a ruling coalition.

VOA: standard.2010.05.10

Public schools in the United States have to be neutral about religion, even though they close for holidays like Christmas.

VOA: special.2009.12.24

"In the U.S.,for instance, some researchers have projected that there may be a shortage of close to a million nurses by two thousand twenty."

VOA: special.2010.06.07

Both candidates campaigned hard. It was clear to everyone that the vote would be close.

VOA: special.2010.04.29

Some might enjoy riding bicycles through Shark Valley, while others may want to move slowly through shallow waters where insects and wildlife can be seen up-close.

VOA: special.2009.06.30

And he would be forced to close the Port of Charleston.

VOA: special.2009.07.23

But they must be careful not to get too close.

VOA: special.2009.04.15

The political analyst believes Cairo would be better off to focus on issues close to home, whether successful or not.

VOA: standard.2009.11.03

But Somalis say some of its members are believed to be Somali factional leaders with close ties to Ethiopia.

VOA: standard.2009.08.21

"The president told us Wednesday night that, quote,'There remain some significant details to be ironed out,' close quote.

VOA: standard.2009.09.12

They say having a trial so close to where the Twin Towers once stood would be a recruitment and radicalization tool to terrorists.

VOA: standard.2010.01.30

"There might be some ground to close the media, to block them,whatever."

VOA: standard.2010.07.06

Many showrooms that only carry Chrysler brands will be forced to close.

VOA: standard.2009.06.04

Until now, both the ruling March 14th coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition have been running neck in neck in opinion polls and analysts were expecting the results of parliamentary elections to be extremely close.

VOA: standard.2009.04.30