BAGHDAD // Iraq's major Shiite and Kurdish political blocs have rejected an offer by Saudi Arabia to host all-party talks designed to end almost eight months of deadlock in Baghdad over forming a new government.
Senior members of the National Alliance, the main Shiite coalition headed by the prime minister, Nouri al Maliki, and the Kurdistani list, which holds a king-making position in the Iraqi parliament, said the proposal would only complicate negotiations.
Iraqiyya, the group led by Ayad Allawi that won a narrow victory in March's national elections, welcomed the plan, putting it further at odds with the National Alliance, its principal rivals for power.
King Abdullah issued the invitation on Saturday, saying Iraq's parties could hold discussions in Riyadh this month under Arab League sponsorship.
The United Nations representative to Iraq, Ad Melkert, had previously expressed concern that Iraqi political groups were holding fruitless bilateral talks, saying it was now "time for all to meet together, at one table". Reaction to the Saudi offer firmly underlined the political divisions dividing Iraq and highlighted the wider struggle for influence in the Middle East between Shiite Iran and the Sunni-dominated Arab states. Iraqiyya, which won wide support among Iraq's Sunni Arab minority, has good relations with Saudi Arabia while the Alliance is closely tied to Tehran. Hassan al Suneid, a leading member of the Alliance, questioned the motives behind the Saudi proposal and said multi-party talks would not solve any problems even if they went ahead. "There are a lot of question marks over this invitation and all parties should study it carefully before they think of accepting," he said in a telephone interview. "This is coming from a country with a vested interest that has already supported one side and one sect in Iraq." Mr al Suneid did not specify which group or sect he was referring to, but Saudi Arabia is widely-perceived in Iraq to have backed Sunni factions, including insurgent groups opposed to the post 2003 Shiite led government. "My question is, why are they making this offer now," Mr al Suneid said. "They have tried to get a government that follows their agenda and have failed in their other efforts, so now they are trying this way." Mahmoud Othman, a leading Kurdish politician, criticised the Saudi offer as "negatively" effecting efforts to form a new Iraqi administration. "The invitation is not based on good motives," he said. "It's not about helping to form a government or to find solutions for Iraq. In fact, it will only complicate matters and might move us back to square one. Iraq's neighbours should not intervene in the political process at the moment. It is Iraq's business." Saad Hariri, the prime minister of Lebanon and an ally of Saudi Arabia, yesterday gave his backing to the proposed talks, calling them a "golden opportunity" to Iraq to break its damaging stalemate. Nouri al Maliki, pushing for a second term as Iraq's premier, recently declared that he was close to forming a new government, following talks with the Kurds. Last month he patched up relations with Syria and visited Iran, Turkey and Egypt in an attempt to bolster his bid. Ayad Allawi, his main rival, has similarly been engaged in shuttle diplomacy with regional powers since the election, hoping to enlist their support. Both sides routinely accuse their opponents and their respective international backers of malevolent interference in Iraq's affairs.
nlatif@thenational.ae
A Dog's Journey
Directed by: Gail Mancuso
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott
3 out of 5 stars
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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EXPATS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lulu%20Wang%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicole%20Kidman%2C%20Sarayu%20Blue%2C%20Ji-young%20Yoo%2C%20Brian%20Tee%2C%20Jack%20Huston%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
EA%20Sports%20FC%2024
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