Three months since the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, Iraq has a prime minister designate.
Adnan Al Zurfi, a name that emerged suddenly, has now been appointed to the prime minister post by Iraqi President Barham Salih. He will have one month to form a government and already the jockeying for ministerial seats has taken on a new life in Baghdad. This comes after Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi tried his hand at government formation, only to be scuttled by political parties refusing to endorse him. Simply by not turning up to parliament, a number of Islamist Shia parties backed by Iran undermined the process by not allowing a quorum to be formed to vote in the new cabinet. Mr Allawi admitted defeat at the start of the month and withdrew his name before the country could enter into an even deeper constitutional crisis.
There is no guarantee that Mr Al Zurfi will not face a similar fate, unless a political deal is struck behind closed doors.
Mr Al Zurfi has neither the experience in government to deal with problems facing the country nor the popular support or trust to give Iraqis a sense of confidence that his appointment will ease their troubles
Yet, this new prime ministerial candidate is coming in to the picture at a time when Iraq’s situation is markedly worse. In the six weeks since Mr Allawi was named prime minister designate, the world has declared a global pandemic, Iraq is facing an economic crisis and Iran and the US are now regularly attacking each other’s interests in Iraq.
An immediate threat that Mr Al Zurfi will have to grapple with is the coronavirus pandemic. Iraq has reported 154 cases, 11 deaths and 41 recoveries. The Iraqi political elite’s relations with Iran has meant that flights continued from Iran for days after it was confirmed that Qom was the epicentre of the virus in the region. Iraq’s healthcare system was already under strain and could reach breaking point if a government is not formed quickly with a clear plan to combat the pandemic.
Meanwhile, oil prices are in rapid decline, and likely not to rise for some time. Iraq’s budget woes have multiplied. With oil prices unlikely to rise above $35, at best, for some time, Iraq’s budget based on $56 is now woefully incapable of meeting people’s needs.
Like any other candidate who would be named to lead the government, Mr Al Zurfi will have to deal with deep internal divisions and balance Washington and Tehran. With Iranian-militias launching rocket attacks on bases housing international forces in the past week and American retaliation through air strikes, tensions are high.
“You don't get to shoot at our bases and kill and wound Americans and get away with it”, said US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper on Friday after the US launched airstrikes on militia bases. This followed rocket attacks that killed two American service members and a British soldier. How Mr Al Zurfi will deal with the continued exchange of fire is to be seen.
If Mr Allawi faced a complex series of challenges, Mr Al Zurfi is facing a crisis of epic proportions. He does not have the experience in government to deal with the multitude of problems facing the country. Moreover, he does not have popular support or trust to give Iraqis a sense of confidence that his appointment will ease their troubles.
Mr Al Zurfi was appointed governor of Najaf by Paul Bremer, the American civilian “ruler” of Iraq during the occupation that followed the 2003 war. He assumed the same position in 2009. He leads the parliamentary list of former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi. Mr Al Zurfi is part of the same political establishment that Iraqis have been demonstrating against since last October. It is unlikely that they will support his appointment. On the other hand, a number of militant groups including Asaib Ahl Al Haq militia have already come out against him.
On the 8th of March, Mr Al Zurfi sent out a series of tweets stating that any incoming government will face four "dangerous" challenges. This was an indirect way to explain what his government programme would look like if he was named prime minister. According to Mr Al Zurfi, the first such challenge is the "external challenge and Iraq's relationship with the international community, UN security council and international coalition". This is a strange statement to make, as the international coalition to fight ISIS has a strong relationship with Iraq and was instrumental in liberating Iraqi territories. Remarkably, he did not make any reference to Iran and its interference in Iraq, as though any external challenge is just posed by "the international community". Turning a blind eye to Iran's nefarious actions in the country guarantees the continuation of the country's woes.
The second challenge that Mr Al Zurfi listed is that of the “demonstrations that began five months ago, and meeting the demands of the protesters and (holding early elections)”. He is right in raising the issue of the demonstrations, but surely a new government must also be concerned with protecting peaceful protesters and halting their murder and intimidation by armed groups. Meeting their demands means Mr Al Zurfi must form a competent government, not beholden to political parties seeking their own financial benefits. It remains to be seen if he can pull off what Mr Allawi failed to do just a couple of weeks ago.
The third challenge that Mr Al Zurfi identifies is the “financial crisis, the drop in oil prices, the lack of non-oil revenues and the surge in unemployment”. The fourth is the “coronavirus and protecting the health of the community and providing a healthy atmosphere to stop its spread in the country”.
Significantly, Mr Al Zurfi missed two major challenges – that of corruption and proliferation of armed militias. Without tackling these two ills, it is impossible to meet the four challenges. Corruption has led to the economic breakdown in Iraq, even before oil prices went through their current crisis. Hand in hand with corruption is the mafia-like status of militias like Asaib Ahl Al Haq. Militias have used their weapons and political power to hold the country hostage. Unless he is bold enough to take on corruption and armed groups, Mr Al Zurfi will fail to address the core of Iraq’s woes. However, if he does take them on, it is likely that the majority of political parties will ensure his failure in forming a government.
Mina Al-Oraibi is editor-in-chief of The National
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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.
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Manchester United v Club America
When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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%3Cp%3EAriana%E2%80%99s%20Persian%20Kitchen%3Cbr%3EDinner%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EEstiatorio%20Milos%3Cbr%3EHouse%20of%20Desserts%3Cbr%3EJaleo%20by%20Jose%20Andres%3Cbr%3ELa%20Mar%3Cbr%3ELing%20Ling%3Cbr%3ELittle%20Venice%20Cake%20Company%3Cbr%3EMalibu%2090265%3Cbr%3ENobu%20by%20the%20Beach%3Cbr%3EResonance%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EThe%20Royal%20Tearoom%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
The%20specs%20
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Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
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
Company%20profile
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
