Iraq’s Shiite populist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr grew more defiant on Wednesday against Tehran-backed rivals who have derailed the election of the country’s new president.
For the third time, the deeply divided parliament failed to hold a scheduled session when it was boycotted by the pro-Iran parties, a tactic analysts said was to gain political leverage.
“I will not come to an agreement with you,” Mr Al Sadr said after his tripartite “Save the Nation Alliance” failed to achieve the two-thirds quorum needed to hold an electoral session.
“Any agreement [with you] means the end of the country.”
Mr Al Sadr, whose bloc won the most seats, 73, in the October 10 national elections, has formed the largest political group by teaming up with other parties.
Shortly after the election results were announced, Mr Al Sadr formed an alliance with influential Kurds and Sunnis who won the most votes in their communities.
They are the Kurdish Democratic Party and two leading Sunni parties – Taqaddum, also known as the Progress Party, and Azm. Yet Mr Al Sadr is still marginally short of reaching quorum in parliament.
“No to all forms of consensus,” he said.
Complicating matters, Ishraqat Alliance, a small, pro-reform party, has also suggested boycotting the vote as a protest against Iraq’s political system.
Sadr’s brinkmanship
Mr Al Sadr has been one of the major political players since the removal of Saddam Hussein’s regime by a US-led invasion. His prominence on the political scene has led many Iraqis to blame him, along with other post-2003 elites, for problems country has endured ever since.
He has promised to introduce sweeping changes, chiefly a departure from the political tradition of forming consensus governments in which posts are shared among parties based on the sects, ethnicity and religions of the country’s population.
Instead, Mr Al Sadr eyes a majority government that can shoulder the responsibility of introducing badly needed reforms in all fields.
He also wants to free Iraq of what he calls foreign meddling, mainly from Iran itself and Tehran-backed Shiite militias.
For his Iran-backed rivals, who endured a major blow in the elections, Mr Al Sadr has offered only limited representation in the coming government.
His Save the Nation Alliance now holds more than 160 seats. To achieve the needed quorum, 220 of 329 seats, they managed to convince some independent and opposition politicians the vote in the Saturday session, but only 202 attended.
The session on Wednesday attracted only 180 people, MP Mishaan Al Jabouri said.
Call for compromise
Amid the deadlock, Mr Al Sadr’s rival Co-ordination Framework, composed mainly of Iran-backed groups, is seeking concessions.
“We call on all partners in the political process to sit around the same table to come out with real understanding to run the state,” said MP Falih Al Khazaali of Fatah Alliance, a Co-ordination Framework member.
“There is no other choice but to hear other partners and run the government together.”
Mr Al Sadr rejected that option.
“What you call as political deadlock is easier [to me] than agreeing with you and better than sharing the cake with you,” he said in his statement.
“There is no good in a consensus government based on sects.”
Without a president, the government formation process has hit an impasse. Once elected, the president must ask the prime ministerial nominee of the largest bloc to form the government.
Based on a long-standing informal agreement, the post is reserved for Kurdish parties, while the Prime Minister is reserved for Iraq’s majority Shiites and the Parliament Speaker is set aside for Sunnis.
Parliament has until April 6 to elect the country’s new president or face a constitutional vacuum. If they fail again, parliament may have to be dissolved, leading to another round of elections.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
