The UN on Monday announced the appointment of Mohamed Al Hassan of Oman as the new head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (Unami), which was set up after the US-led invasion of the country in 2003.
Based in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, the political mission was formed to lead post-conflict humanitarian work, co-ordinate reconstruction efforts and establish a representative government in the country.
As the new special representative for Iraq, Mr Al Hassan “brings to the position a broad range of diplomatic experience with a career spanning over 30 years working on preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding and development”, a UN statement said.
The Omani diplomat succeeds Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert of the Netherlands, who became special co-ordinator for Lebanon in May.
Mr Al Hassan's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the UN mission, following Iraq’s formal request to the Security Council to conclude its operations by the end of 2025.
Baghdad said the UN mission was no longer needed as the country had made significant progress towards stability.
The request was approved by the 15-member Security Council on May 31.
Mr Al Hassan will be preparing “a transition and liquidation plan” for Unami to start transferring its tasks and withdrawing staff and assets by the end of its mandate.
The former ambassador has held various positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Muscat, including acting undersecretary for diplomatic affairs in 2016, chief of staff in 2015 and head of the minister’s department in 2012. He also worked as Oman's ambassador to Russia.
He has served as Oman's representative at the UN since 2019.
Mr Al Hassan holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Washington in the US, a master's in international relations from St John’s University in New York and a doctorate in economics from the Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics and Informatics in Russia.
He speaks Arabic, English, Norwegian and Russian.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now