Security was tightening around the Iraqi capital on Tuesday over fears of a potentially chaotic protest by followers of the cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, who are demanding an end to the political impasse that is blocking government formation.
The military said forces had been stationed around Baghdad, “with the aim of enhancing security, stability and raising the capabilities of the security units”, and had been in place since Monday night.
Iraq has been in deadlock since October over a government formation process, whereby various political actors have failed to agree on a candidate for the positions of prime minister, president and parliamentary speaker.
The dispute between the two largest Shiite blocs over how these vital posts will be divided among various political groups has led to the country being without a newly elected government for 11 months.
Mr Al Sadr and his backers have staged a series of recent protests across the country against their rival Shiite group, the Co-ordination Framework.
Tension reached breaking point late last month, when the cleric's supporters stormed Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, triggering clashes with Iran-backed militias in which official Iraqi security forces were forced to intervene.
At least 30 people, mostly Mr Al Sadr's supporters, were killed and 400 injured in the violence that followed his announcement that he was quitting politics.
Normal life has returned to Baghdad but the political stand-off remains.
However, officials close to Mr Al Sadr this week issued a warning of another round of protests should the outstanding issues remain unresolved.
Caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi described the current political crisis as “challenging”.
“However, the doors to a solution are still open and this requires dialogue that places the interest of Iraq and all its people above all other considerations,” he said.
Mr Al Kadhimi called on all those involved “to exercise calm, patience and to adopt the approach of dialogue and reason”.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
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
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier
Event info: The tournament in Kuwait this month is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.
UAE’s fixtures: Fri Apr 20, UAE v Qatar; Sat Apr 21, UAE v Saudi Arabia; Mon Apr 23, UAE v Bahrain; Tue Apr 24, UAE v Maldives; Thu Apr 26, UAE v Kuwait
World T20 2020 Qualifying process:
- Sixteen teams will play at the World T20 in two years’ time.
- Australia have already qualified as hosts
- Nine places are available to the top nine ranked sides in the ICC’s T20i standings, not including Australia, on Dec 31, 2018.
- The final six teams will be decided by a 14-team World T20 Qualifier.
World T20 standings: 1 Pakistan; 2 Australia; 3 India; 4 New Zealand; 5 England; 6 South Africa; 7 West Indies; 8 Sri Lanka; 9 Afghanistan; 10 Bangladesh; 11 Scotland; 12 Zimbabwe; 13 UAE; 14 Netherlands; 15 Hong Kong; 16 Papua New Guinea; 17 Oman; 18 Ireland
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.