WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States on Friday called on Iraqi parties to "work together" and "to form an effective, responsible government that serves the Iraqi people."

    The United States wanted Iraq's Kurds, Shias, Sunnis and others to "work together in cross-sectarian, cross-ethnic efforts to think about forming a government," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

    "The Iraqi people will be looking to them to form an effective, responsible government that serves the Iraqi people, that responds to their needs, and a government that is responsive to all the Iraqis, regardless of ethnic group or religious group," McCormack said.

    McCormack made the remarks after the electoral commission in Iraq issued the final results of parliamentary voting held on December 15, 2005.

    Iraq's Shiite parties won the parliamentary elections, but short of an absolute majority, according to results from the Independent Electoral Commission in Iraq.

    Sunni Arabs were under-represented in the interim parliament after a majority of them boycotted the January elections in 2005.

    Washington sees the latest elections as pivotal to defusing sectarian tensions and the insurgency, hoping greater Sunni representation in the parliament will win the confidence of the Sunni minority. Enditem