Neighbouring states also looked on warily as ugly tribal and sectarian divisions widened during the campaign.

ECONOMIST: An experiment in democracy fails to inspire the neighbours

Mrs Clinton said all parties in Northern Ireland "need to confront the remaining challenge of sectarian divisions, peacefully together".

BBC: Northern Ireland

The BBC's correspondent in Cairo, Heba Saleh, says the Egyptian authorities have always argued that a party based on religion would deepen sectarian divisions in a country with a sizeable Christian minority.

BBC: NEWS | Middle East | Egypt Islamists make record gains

But, Obama said, a functioning Iraq ultimately will depend on the capacity of the Iraqi people to unify themselves, get beyond sectarian divisions and set up a government that works for the people.

CNN: Obama: Stability ultimately in hands of Iraqis

But he warned that the deep ethnic and sectarian divisions in the country meant that it would be difficult "to put those pieces back together" if there was an implosion of the Syrian state.

WSJ: Kerry Backs Away From Wars, but Warns Iran

The draft claims that the Programme for Government reflects the Executive's commitment to building a more shared learning environment and goes on to argue that "it is vital that this process addresses sectarian divisions and results in a less segregated and more shared school system".

BBC: Mind the gap: Alliance and the community relations debate

The Stormont administration frequently condemns both sectarian and racist violence but has done little to combat the divisions that produce them.

ECONOMIST: Northern Ireland