Iraq’s new President Abdul Latif Rashid assumed office on Monday, promising to bridge the gap between political rivals and push efforts to form a new government after more than a year of deadlock.
Mr Rashid, 78, was elected by Parliament last Thursday, defeating outgoing President Barham Salih, who had been in office since 2018.
In a formal handover ceremony at Al Salam presidential palace in Baghdad, Mr Rashid walked on the red carpet as he was saluted by a guard of honour.
“We hope the new government will be formed quickly and will be strong, capable and unified in order to meet the people's ambitions in security, stability and services,” Mr Rashid said at the ceremony.
“I will exert efforts to bridge the gap between the political parties and to sponsor their dialogues to achieve that goal.”
He also pledged to protect the constitution, Iraq's sovereignty and independence, and help resolve existing issues.
Addressing the matter of foreign relations, he said he would “focus on establishing strong and balanced relations between Iraq and neighbouring countries and the international community”.
Mr Rashid received 156 votes in the first round of voting in last Thursday's session — falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to win. He received 162 votes in a second round of voting.
Mr Salih, who received 99 votes in both rounds, did not attend the handover ceremony.
A veteran politician, Mr Rashid has served in senior government positions throughout his career.
He was born in the northern city of Sulaymaniyah, in the Iraqi Kurdish region, and began his political career in his 20s after joining the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party.
Mr Rashid attained a degree in civil engineering from the University of Liverpool in the UK and continued his education there, earning a master's degree and a doctorate in engineering from the University of Manchester.
He then became Iraq's minister of water resources from 2003 to 2010, before being appointed as a senior adviser in the PUK by the late President Jalal Talabani, who was also the founder of the group and Mr Rashid's brother-in-law.
Mr Rashid is the fifth president since the 2003, when a US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein.
Immediately after his election, Mr Rashid asked Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, a former minister, to form a government.
Mr Al Sudani has 30 days to submit his proposed Cabinet to parliament for approval but has said he aims to do so “as soon as possible”.
A political impasse had gripped Iraq since last October's poll, with sporadic violence breaking out on the streets of Baghdad and southern cities.
Under an unofficial agreement dating back to 2003, Iraq’s presidency, largely a ceremonial position, is held by a Kurd.
The prime minister is a Shiite and the Parliamentary speaker a Sunni, based on the accord.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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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
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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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.
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
Huddersfield: Otamendi (45' 1 og), van La Parra (red card 90' 6)
Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')
Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)
Calls
Directed by: Fede Alvarez
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
4/5
Specs
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Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
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Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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