The politicians internal divisions have led to fears that a political vacuum could give Sunni militants a chance to revive the sectarian violence that roiled the nation in 2006 and 2007.

VOA: standard.2010.04.04

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