The Iraqi prime minister announced on Sunday that he will lead a "cross-sectarian" list in the upcoming general elections.
Haider Al Abadi, a Shiite Muslim who led the country in the four-year war against ISIL, said he will seek to form a cross-sectarian block called Nasr Al Iraq — or The Victory Alliance — to contest the parliamentary elections, with candidates from other communities.
"The Victory Alliance will boost the country's integrity and national sovereignty, correct mistakes and achieve justice and equality for all Iraqis," Mr Al Abadi said in a statement late on Saturday, adding that the "miracle of victory and unity must lead to a new and brighter era".
Mr Al Abadi reached an agreement with Al Fatih coalition, a group of powerful Shiite militias led by Hadi Al Ameri, to jointly participate in the elections as Nasr Al Iraq.
This, added the prime minister, would "transcend sectarianism, discrimination and segregation".
Nasr Al Iraq brings together the most powerful political and armed Shiite factions that fought alongside the Iraqi army under the Hashed Al Shaabi umbrella group, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces. Hashed Al Shaabi formed in 2014 after Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, Iraq's top Shiite cleric, urged citizens to take up arms against ISIL militants.
Michael Rubin, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington-based think tank, said Mr Al Abadi's decision to form Nasr Al Iraq posed a threat to Iraqi democracy.
"For Abadi, it's a pragmatic choice but it's also a bad sign for the long-term integrity of Iraq's democracy," he told The National.
"By bringing the Al Fatih bloc into what Abadi has named "The Victory Coalition", he denies their support to (former Iraqi prime minister) Nouri Al Maliki."
In November, Mr Al Abadi banned militia leaders from running in the elections, saying there should be a “clear separation between political and armed groups”. Many militia leaders subsequently formally resigned from positions in armed groups.
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Read more:
Iraq needs a long-term strategy as much as it needs short-term wins
Iraqi militias form of one of the biggest political coalitions for elections
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The Hashed's militias are mostly trained and supported by Iran and remain deeply divisive, with some accused of abuses against civilians.
Senior Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, meanwhile, said he was "surprised" about Mr Al Abadi's alliance with Mr Al Ameri, adding that it would "pave the way for the return of corruption and sectarianism".
The prime minister's main opponent is expected to be Mr Al Maliki, who served as prime minister for eight years before stepping down in 2014. Mr Al Maliki, who currently serves as one of three vice presidents and is head of the Shiite Dawa party, is a close ally of Iran.
He was widely criticised by Iraqi politicians for the army's collapse when ISIL swept through a third of the country in the summer of 2014. He was also accused of alienating Iraq's Sunni minority and for pursuing sectarian policies.
Mr Al Abadi assumed office in September 2014. Since then, Iraqi forces backed by a US-led coalition have gradually retaken all of the territory once held by the extremists.
Both Mr Al Abadi and Mr Al Maliki are members of the Dawa party but on Saturday the former prime minister announced that he would run separately at the head of his State of Law list.
“[The fact that] Maliki and Abadi may go their separate ways simply confirms the split which exists between "London" Dawa and "Tehran" Dawa; that is, the different groupings within Dawa based on where party members spent their decades of exile during Saddam Hussein's reign,” Mr Rubin said.
In response, the Dawa party said its supporters could choose between the two coalitions.
“While multiple Dawas may run in elections, they can always reunite during government formation,” Mr Rubin added.
The Iraqi cabinet has proposed May 12 for elections, though the date still needs to be approved by parliament. Sunni leaders have called for the vote to be delayed in order to allow the almost three million people displaced by the fighting to return to their homes but Mr Al Abadi's government has insisted the elections be held on time.
The prime minister's office is reserved for Iraq's majority Shiite Arab community under a power-sharing system set up after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. The office of president is reserved for a Kurdish member of parliament and the speaker of parliament is drawn from Sunni Arab MPs.
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
2pm Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,800m
Winner AF Al Baher, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner Davy Lamp, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly.
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 1,400m
Winner Ode To Autumn, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
4pm Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner Arch Gold, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
4.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh75,000 1,800m
Winner Meqdam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
5pm Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner Native Appeal, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
5.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner Amani Pico, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
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.
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The view from The National
Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
