Armed militias operating outside state control in Iraq will not bring any stability or prosperity to the country, Britain's ambassador told The National.
The Iraqi government last month arrested a senior militia leader, Qassem Musleh, on suspicion of terrorism and in connection with the targeted killing of civil society activists and protesters.
Mr Musleh leads the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) operations in Anbar.
He was released from government detention on Wednesday after charges against him were dropped because of insufficient evidence.
"As long as armed militia continue to operate in Iraq with impunity, there will not be the stability and prosperity that Iraqis deserve," Stephen Hickey, the British ambassador to Iraq, told The National.
Tensions in Baghdad skyrocketed immediately after the arrest, with PMF fighters taking to the streets around the offices of Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi, prompting the deployment of Iraqi security forces and the elite Counter-Terrorism Service to protect the government and diplomatic missions.
“We appreciate the government’s efforts to hold these groups to account and call on all Iraqi leaders and politicians to support the government in this regard,” Mr Hickey said.
As long as armed militia continue to operate in Iraq with impunity, there will not be the stability and prosperity that Iraqis deserve
The stand-off sparked fears of violence as some armed PMF factions gathered at the entrance to the fortified diplomatic Green Zone in Baghdad. But the situation has so far remained stable.
A previous attempt by Mr Al Kadhimi to have PMF fighters arrested led to similar stand-offs and threats of violence before the gunmen were ultimately let free.
Mr Musleh was arrested in connection with the murder of Iraqi activist Ihab Al Wazni, who was shot near his home in the southern city of Karbala.
Hours after his release, the head of Iran's Quds Force, General Esmail Ghaani arrived in Baghdad and held meetings with Shiite political leaders and militia leaders, according to a lawmaker close to PMF.
"The visit has nothing today with Haj Qassem Musleh release, but to discuss the recent developments here especially the tense atmosphere between the government and Hashed," he said.
"All parties agree on calming down things with the government. None wants to escalate," he added without elaborating.
Mr Al Wazni's brother said he was disappointed Mr Musleh had been released.
"We are not feeling justice, but unfairness," Marwan Al Wazni told The National over the phone from Karbala.
"We demand the judiciary system to be fair and not equate the victim and the executioner," Mr Al Wazni added.
The decision to release Mr Musleh was "wrong," he said. "The investigation is incomplete - there are still eight other people at large who face arrest warrants."
The family offered more than one piece of evidence to the authorities, he said, refusing to discuss them in media to preserve the investigation.
Asked what about the family's next step may be, he said "all options are on the table. It is a clear assassination crime and the blood of our martyr will not go in vain."
Baghdad resident Mustafa Abid, who has been protesting since the onset of the pro-reform demonstrations against the country’s political elite, said he has no faith in the Iraqi judiciary or government to bring the killers to justice.
"The judiciary system is politicised, the law is blind and the government is under local and foreign pressures. How can they achieve justice?" he told The National.
For him and many others, the arrest of Mr Musleh was a means of moving attention away from the deaths and injuries suffered by protesters last month.
“It’s a fanfare created to distract the people and make them forget those killed on May 25,” he said. “It’s a play or film and the director and the actors are well known.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
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
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MATCH INFO
Liverpool 0
Stoke City 0
Man of the Match: Erik Pieters (Stoke)
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 626bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,050,000
On sale: now
SPECS
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Sweet%20Tooth
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Brief scores:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Directed: Smeep Kang
Produced: Soham Rockstar Entertainment; SKE Production
Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Jimmy Sheirgill, Sunny Singh, Omkar Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma
Rating: Two out of five stars
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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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.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Company%C2%A0profile
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THREE
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How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
The Ashes
Results
First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs
Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
Fourth Test: Melbourne: Drawn
Fifth Test: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
