Leading Iraqi political parties call for unity amid government formation

Politicians from two of the largest political blocs in Iraq after the national elections on October 10 are calling for unity, as rival political groups negotiate for important positions in a new and inclusive government.

Another bloc, Fatah, which is linked to Iran-backed groups, as well as two blocs led by former Iraqi prime ministers – Haidar Al Abadi's National State Forces and Nouri Al Maliki's State of Law, are contesting the election results.

The general election saw populist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr’s political coalition land the majority of votes. The bloc is expected to hold major influence over Iraq’s direction and relationship with Iran and the West. Fatah suffered major losses, winning only 14 seats in the 329-member assembly.

“The next government will be formed against the will of the US, Iran and Turkey, and will be a national government. We must unite together,” said Ameer Al Kinani, a member of the Sadrist movement who won the majority of seats in the Iraqi Parliament.

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani. AFP

Hadi al-Amiri leader of the Badr Organisation attends an election rally, along with his Fatih bloc supporters, ahead of the parliamentary election in Baghdad, Iraq October 5, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad

Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, meets with the Iraqi prime minister in Erbil, the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region, on March 14, 2022. AFP

Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr gives a speech in Iraq's central holy shrine city of Najaf. AFP

A member of the Iraqi Sadrist bloc (of Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr) announces the party's electoral programme for the upcoming elections, in the central city of Najaf, on September 30, 2021. - Iraq will hold parliamentary elections on October 10, a year early to appease an anti-government protest movement, at a time of simmering anger over graft and economic crisis. (Photo by Ali NAJAFI / AFP)

Ammar al-Hakim, Leader of the Hikma movement and accompanied by his children, shows his inked finger at a polling station in Baghdad, as Iraqis go to the polls to vote in the parliamentary election, in Iraq, October 10, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki shows his inked finger at a polling station in Baghdad, as Iraqis go to the poll to vote in the parliamentary election, in Iraq, October 10, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani

Although the final results of the elections have yet to be announced, the preliminary outcome puts the Sadrist movement top with 72 seats.

“We need a strategic vision for management, our problem is due to the various coalitions, with every government-building process we have a crisis, from outlining the budget to choosing Cabinet ministers,” Mr Al Kinani said at a forum held by The Middle East Research Institute in Erbil.

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“We are the political powers that are responsible for reforms, changes and to serve the public. We’ve been chosen democratically to govern."

The second biggest winner in the elections was Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al Halbousi’s Taqaddum group, which won 37 seats, while the State of Law bloc was third with about 35.

Speaking on the panel of politicians was Muzahim Al Khayat, a newly elected MP for the Taqaddum coalition, who said Iraq’s democracy was in danger.

“It is up to the country’s political groups to move forward and overcome challenges. We need a national political dialogue,” he said.

It is the only way to overcome corruption, build the economy and offer opportunities for the youth, he said.

Mr Al Khayat called for unity, “otherwise chaos will prevail in the country which will lead to the collapse of the state”.

"Iraq needs a national vision so that the destroyed cities and nation will be rebuilt. We need a united and strong Iraq in this neighbourhood,” he said.

Jafar Eminki from the Kurdish Democratic Party said that, “no single component can lead Iraq alone. Iraq can be strong if all components are participating together.”

"We should all agree on a common programme because ministries and positions are not important. What is important is to have a strong federal government in Baghdad."

Now that preliminary results are out, the winning parties will have to engage in dialogue to form the new government.

The period after the results is a crucial time for political parties as they negotiate to secure vital ministries for their candidates.

Diplomatic reactions to the election process

US ambassador to Iraq, Mathew Tueller, said the national elections provided "an extraordinary signal that democracy can prevail in this region”.

Washington is calling on Iraq to “form a government in the same peaceful sphere that prevailed during the election period”, he said.

“We also support a government formation process that reflects the will of the people.”

“Iraqis must find a way to adapt and find democracy in their new government and we will find ways to work with leaders to find this.

“The US believes that Iraqi people deserve the right to express their will and form the government without external interference."

'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'

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ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 1 Chelsea 0
De Bruyne (70')

Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

If you go...

Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Whiile you're here

Damien McElroy: Anti-science attitudes in America are proving lethal

Editorial: What makes the UAE such a good place to test vaccines?

Editorial: The fight against Covid-19 should be guided by science

While you're here

Mustafa Alrawi: To get the 'jab' done, there must be patience and empathy

Damien McElroy: Anti-science attitudes in America are proving lethal

Editorial: What makes the UAE such a good place to test vaccines?

Editorial: The fight against Covid-19 should be guided by science

TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

While you're here

Cheryl Thompson: Stop the practice of blackface that's as Canadian as hockey

Kareem Shaheen: Alghabra outshines the racists who malign him

Kareem Shaheen: In Canada, I have finally found a home

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate

Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead

Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks

Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence

Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground

Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile

Tips to keep your car cool

Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
Park in shaded or covered areas
Add tint to windows
Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme

Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Clean water and solar homes: Zayed prize finalists present sustainability solutions

10 new innovations that will shape a more sustainable future

Singapore's rush to renewables is a model to follow

Water price hike needed to teach people its value, say sustainabilty experts

Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Hurricanes

Runners up: Bahrain

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Bahrain

Runners up: UAE Premiership

UAE Premiership

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

UAE Division One

Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens

Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

UAE Division Two

Winners: Barrelhouse

Runners up: RAK Rugby

'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'

Director:Michael Lehmann

Stars:Kristen Bell

Rating: 1/5

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014

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Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

TALE OF THE TAPE

Manny Pacquiao
Record: 59-6-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 38
Weight: 146lbs
Height: 166cm
Reach: 170cm

Jeff Horn
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Age: 29
Weight: 146.2lbs
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm

Game Changer

Director: Shankar

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)

Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)

Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)

COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A

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The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet

'Munich: The Edge of War'

Director: Christian Schwochow

Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons

Rating: 3/5

JERSEY INFO

Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Green Jersey
Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider born after January 1, 1995 in the overall classification by time (U25).
Black Jersey
Intermediate Sprint Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained the most Intermediate Sprint Points.

The%20specs

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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”