Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was again unable to confirm the final members of his cabinet on Tuesday when a parliament session in which MPs were set to hold a vote descended into a shouting match.
The meeting was eventually postponed until later in the week after initially being paused while officials tried to restore order and ensure sufficient turnout to hold the vote. Mr Abdul Mahdi is attempting to confirm the ministers of defence, interior, justice and immigration, among others.
The parliament's deputy speaker, Hassan Al Kaabi, said early on Tuesday that Mr Abdul Mahdi had, overnight, submitted the names of eight candidates who were already rejected on an October session when parliament approved other Cabinet members.
Mr Al Kaabi warned that further delays could have a negative impact on the security situation in Iraq.
Last month, parliamentarians confirmed 14 out of the 22 posts that Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi initially presented. Yet, eight ministers remain vacant.
In a letter to lawmakers ahead of the postponed session, Mr Abdul Mahdi said he can submit other names within two days if his proposals were rejected.
Mr Abdul Mahdi was appointed in early October to form a ‘technocratic’ cabinet but political jockeying has intensified in recent weeks as competing regional patrons vie for influence.
While Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr has called for a quick formation of government, a growing rivalry between two powerful factions within the sect has delayed formation. The country has now gone six months since an election that was aimed at steering the country towards recovery from years of war.
Mr Al Sadr, a populist cleric, is now in a standoff with Iranian-backed militia leader Hadi Al Amiri despite having something of a tacit alliance in October when they picked a president and approved the batch of cabinet ministers.
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Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
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