Iraq's leaders have criticised the country’s political stalemate and inability to form a new government six months after nationwide elections were held.
The country's post-election period often produces deadlock, with power-sharing discussions between political blocs typically lasting about five months or longer. However, this time round those crucial talks are not happening and sporadic meetings between parties have not come close to achieving compromise.
A dispute between the two largest political blocs has led to a boycott of parliament, meaning quorum cannot be reached and voting for a new president has repeatedly failed. Iraq's parliament needs to agree on a president, who then selects the largest bloc in parliament within 15 days, which in turn can form the government.
“The current political blockage in completing constitutional requirements and forming a new government has become a worrying and unacceptable matter, and if it continues, will lead the country into a dangerous maze,” outgoing Iraqi President Barham Salih, said late on Tuesday.
Mr Salih, among other politicians, spoke in Baghdad during a ceremony marking 41 years since the establishment of the Badr Organisation, a Shiite party that was formerly a militia organisation, set up by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Badr Organisation remains linked to a number of militias within Iraq.
Early elections were held last October to meet the demands of anti-government protesters who staged months of mass demonstrations in 2019 and were killed in their hundreds, while thousands were injured.
They called for an overhaul of the political system and for an end to corruption and nepotism.
“The call for early elections was a solution to achieve political and social stability that ran into obstacles that should not be ignored,” Mr Salih said, adding that it was possible to overcome those issues with unity.
“Protecting the country requires a serious pause to address the mistakes that have accumulated due to the crumbling of the ruling system and to create reform,” he said.
For his part, Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi said Iraq’s political crisis is a result of the failure to form a new government.
“We strive to find solutions and citizens are worried about the future from the consequences of the political obstruction that hinders their daily life,” he said.
With no government, Iraq's parliament cannot pass a budget for the year. By law, this means that spending for vital investments such as electricity and water infrastructure is based on a fraction of the previous budget, which was based on much lower oil prices.
“We must admit that there are constitutional differences and inconsistencies in the administration of the state,” Mr Al Kadhimi said, adding that confidence must be restored to overcome the obstacles.
Populist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr was the biggest winner in the vote on October 10, with 73 seats in the 329-member parliament, but his Iran-backed rivals have frustrated his government formation efforts.
Mr Al Sadr joined forces with powerful parties including the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Sovereignty Coalition led by parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Al Halbousi.
For his part, Mr Al Halbousi said the new government will be formed soon.
“We must all strive, side by side, to work to strengthen state institutions, and to affirm our belief in it,” he said.
“We are going through challenges at the local, regional and international levels, and everyone knows the challenges of the international crisis that the world is witnessing and its impact on food security and the economy,” he said.
Iraq is ready to move forward and solve its problems, he said.
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
Company%20profile
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The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
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TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Pathaan
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