Iraq election declared 'success'
The first multi-party election in Iraq for 50 years has been declared a success at the end of polling.
A series of election-day attacks across Iraq killed at least 36 people, mainly in Baghdad, interior officials said.
Correspondents say there was a marked division in turnout between Sunni, Shia and Kurdish strongholds.
In the Shia Muslim south and Kurdish north of the country, queues formed at polling stations and there were smiles and tears of joy among voters.
But polling stations in many Sunni-dominated cities in the centre of Iraq were closed or deserted, as voters stayed away out of fear of attack or opposition to the election itself, reports said.
Just before voting officially ended, a British military transport plane crashed north of Baghdad. There are an unknown number of victims and the cause is not yet clear.
'Moving and humbling'
Voting was to have ceased at 1700 (1400 GMT) but extra time was given to allow people waiting at polling stations to cast their ballots.
Electoral officials estimated that up to eight million Iraqis voted - more than 60% of those registered.
A large number of people have shown up to vote: men and women, Muslims and Christians, Sunnis and Shias
Iraqi woman,
Baghdad
Iraq elections: Have your say
In pictures: Iraqis vote
Election: In quotes
Earlier, top UN electoral adviser Carlos Valenzuela offered a more cautious assessment, saying turnout appeared to be high in many areas, but that it was too early to know for sure.
Tens of thousands of Iraqi expatriates in 14 other countries also voted in a mainly peaceful atmosphere, although scuffles broke out in the UK.
In Washington, Mr Bush said: "The Iraqi people themselves made this election a resounding success."
He added: "They have demonstrated the kind of courage that is always the foundation of self-government."
In London, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair hailed the election as "moving" and "humbling".
The Iraqis "came out despite the dangers," he said.
Country divided
More than 200 parties and coalitions are competing for seats in the transitional assembly, which will draft a new Iraqi constitution ahead of planned elections for a full-term parliament.
Voting at polling stations in the country's south and north was brisk.
ELECTION SCHEDULE
Sunday: Polls opened for 10 hours, with an extension for those still queuing to vote at 1700 (1400 GMT)
Next week: Vote counting for 4 or 5 days
Early March: PM appointed
Late March: Government formed
Reporters' log
But reports from central Sunni cities, such as Falluja, Samarra and Ramadi, say not all polling stations opened, and there was at best a trickle of voters.
Authorities had imposed an unprecedented series of security measures - including shoot-on-sight curfews, closed foreign borders, a ban on cars and travel restrictions within Iraq.
Despite the measures, the capital was hit by nine suicide bombings and a number of mortar attacks.
In an internet statement, a group said to be led by militant leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed to be behind some attacks in Baghdad and Mosul.
Yet correspondents say the security measures have had an effect, as the bombs were far smaller than they could have been if they had been packed into cars.
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