Oman's Badr Al Busaidi met Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani in Baghdad on Sunday during the first official visit to Iraq by an Omani foreign minister. Mr Al Busaidi attended the ministerial level Omani-Iraqi Joint Committee, signalling a new era of collaboration between the two nations.
“It is indeed an important and historic visit, for the first time an Omani foreign minister visits Baghdad,” Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein told a joint media conference. During the meetings, preliminary agreements were signed across several vital sectors, including trade, economy, political co-operation, culture and investment, Mr Hussein said.
The agreements reflect a shared commitment to enhance co-operation and fostering economic and diplomatic ties to benefit both countries, he added. “There are significant opportunities in Iraq, and we have invited Omani companies to engage in this sector,” he said.
Mr Al Busaidi hailed the “strong relations and historic ties” between Iraq and Oman, saying a “great emphasis is placed on fostering co-operation and partnerships aimed at deepening mutual interests and achieving greater benefits for both countries”.
Mr Hussein addressed pressing regional issues, calling for an end to the war in Gaza, caused by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7 last year that killed about 1,200 people, and underlining Iraq’s position in support of peace and humanitarian efforts.
That led to Israeli military action that has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians.
“There are broad and shared understandings with the Omani side on this matter,” he said. “We support the Palestinian cause and advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as opening avenues for the people of Gaza, who are suffering greatly due to the ongoing aggression against them,” he added.
Both sides also discussed the situation in Syria, where rebels led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) toppled Bashar Al Assad’s regime in a lightning offensive that culminated on December 8. The former president fled to Moscow, where he was granted asylum, along with his family, on humanitarian grounds, ending more than five decades of his family's rule.
Mr Hussein expressed concerns over the continuing situation in Syria, warning of the potential resurgence of ISIS. He emphasised Iraq’s determination to work with regional partners, including Oman, to ensure stability and prevent security threats from escalating.
“We respect the Syrian people's choice but at the same time we are studying the situation in Syria and the changes there,” he said. “Our concern is evident regarding the growth and expansion of terrorist organisations, particularly ISIS, across the border inside Syria,” he added, warning that the numbers of extremist-group militants have increased and that they have more weapons.
ISIS overran large parts of Iraq and Syria, in the summer of 2014, declaring a caliphate that took in large areas of both countries. During that time, it led a campaign of widespread and systematic violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
Iraqi troops, backed by a US-led international coalition, reclaimed all ISIS-held territory in Iraq in late 2017, after three years of fighting. However, ISIS fighters still carry out sporadic attacks, mainly in rural areas. The US has about 900 troops left in north-eastern Syria who are tasked with fighting ISIS.
Since taking over Damascus, HTS has appointed a new interim government and urged Syrians abroad, some of whom have been displaced for more than a decade, to return to their homeland.
Iraq supports Syria in establishing an inclusive political process, Mr Hussein said. “We hope the political process will bring stability in Syria, boost good neighbourliness and regional co-operation, and bring the representatives of all components of the people,” he added. Mr Al Busaidi stressed the "necessity of exerting diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflicts and enhance security and stability in the region".
Specs
COMPANY%20PROFILE
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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
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Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others
Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.
As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.
Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.
“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”
Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.
“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”
Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.
The five pillars of Islam
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Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
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What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
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Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda
Rating: ****
World Mental Health Day
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
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Chennai win by eight wickets
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
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6026 – Dh 200
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Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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Allardyce's management career
Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)
Countries (1) - England (2016)
Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
Company%C2%A0profile
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Following fashion
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• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain
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Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
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'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
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Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier
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UAE beat Saudi Arabia by 12 runs
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
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4,872 matches
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116 pitches
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2 Kuwaiti teams
Tomorrow 2021
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Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Rebel%20Moon%20-%20Part%20One%3A%20A%20Child%20of%20Fire
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Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
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National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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9.30pm: Forever Young
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