Iraq’s new Prime Minister designate Mustafa Al Kadhimi has vowed to form a government that “serves” public interest.
“I will present a new cabinet to the parliament very soon, it will be a government that serves the public, a government of services,” Mr Al Kadhimi said in his first televised public address.
The Iraqi official insisted that his cabinet will be equipped with competent ministers who “will put the public’s interest first”.
He pledged to have balanced ties with regional and international actors.
“Iraqi sovereignty is a red line,” he said, adding that it is not a matter for debate.
“Iraq’s decisions will be made by Iraqis,” he said.
President Barham Salih named Mr Al Kadhimi as prime minister designate on Thursday, making him the third nominee to lead Iraq in just 10 weeks.
The country’s political factions have struggled to agree on a replacement for a new government since outgoing Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned last November.
“I will work tirelessly to present Iraqis with a program and cabinet that will work to serve them, protect their rights and take Iraq towards a prosperous future,” Mr Al Kadhimi said.
He was nominated hours after Adnan Al Zurfi withdrew his candidacy.
Mr Zurfi cited “internal and external reasons” for the move after facing opposition from the ruling Shiite factions that are linked to Iran.
The president said that Mr Kadhimi is a “fighter and intellectual who is well known for his integrity, moderation and keenness [to honour] the rights of the Iraqi people".
He warned that the prime minister designate has a "big responsibility, and a difficult task”, that includes conducting fair and transparent parliamentary elections and balancing relations between Iran and the US.
Since the 2003 US-led invasion, Iraq has been caught in a battle of influence between Washington and Tehran.
For years the country has been the staging ground for tit-for-tat strikes between the two states.
Mr Al Kadhimi assured the public that Iraq will not be dragged into the tensions between the two.
"Iraq must have successful foreign relations based on protecting sovereignty, mutual respect, and cooperation with neighbours and friends," he said.
David Schenker, the US assistant secretary of Near Eastern Affairs, welcomed the news about Mr Al Kadhimi’s nomination.
“If Kadhimi is an Iraqi nationalist, dedicated to pursuing a sovereign Iraq, if he is committed to fighting corruption, this would be great for Iraq, and we think it would be great for our bilateral relationship,” Mr Schenker told reporters during a teleconference.
The US official warned that Iranian-backed militia pose a “significant” threat to American forces stationed in Iraq.
His comments come about a week after US President Donald Trump warned of an attack by Iran or its proxies.
Mr Schenker did not give details about the attack but said “it continues to be significant”.
Iran-backed paramilitary groups that operate in Iraq have regularly been shelling bases hosting US forces, and the area around the American embassy in Baghdad.
An American drone strike in Iraq that killed Qassem Suleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force in early January deepened tensions between the two.
It also killed Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis, who founded Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah militia after the 2003 US-led invasion.
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
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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.
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
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MATCH INFO
Argentina 47 (Tries: Sanchez, Tuculet (2), Mallia (2), De La Fuente, Bertranou; Cons: Sanchez 5, Urdapilleta)
United States 17 (Tries: Scully (2), Lasike; Cons: MacGinty)
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
