With the relative balance between the two main blocs of political parties from which a coalition might be formed still so close, the last four days of the campaign are regarded as crucial, not least in an electorate where perhaps upwards of 20% of voters are expected to decided who they will back during this period.
On Friday, with talks on forming a new government deadlocked, he called for a meeting of the main blocs, to be held outside Iraq.
The source stressed the discussions did not tackle the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, essentially centering on a bargain between the two main blocs: Turkey, Saudi, and Qatar on one hand; and Russia and Iran on the other.
Allies of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, a Shia Arab, had said the vote would only go ahead once a deal was struck between the main blocs on the nominees for the positions of Speaker, president and prime minister, which traditionally go to a Sunni Arab, a Kurd and a Shia Arab respectively.
In Diyala Province, a leading candidate from one of the main blocs challenging Mr. Maliki's political coalition, known as State of Law, was arrested Sunday night by special forces sent from Baghdad only days after he took part in a recorded debate in which he criticized the security forces.
There are two main blocs competing in the election.
Pre-election polls suggest the two main blocs are virtually tied.
FDI continues to circulate between the three main blocs of "the Triad" (Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia), leaving most of the world population excluded.
Defence minister Ehud Barak recently proposed that settlers outside the three main blocs – Ma'ale Adumim, Gush Etzion and Ariel – should be evacuated or choose to live under Palestinian rule.
Olmert gave an interview to Israel's Channel 2 making it plain that, like Sharon, he planned to close dozens of smaller settlements on the West Bank but retain the main blocs of Ariel, Gush Etzion, and Ma'ale Adumim.
