Iraqi President Barham Salih named Mustafa Al Kadhimi as prime minister-designate on Thursday, after weeks of political infighting.
Mr Al Kadhimi, the head of Iraq's intelligence service, has been rumoured to be among the prime ministerial contenders since December after the resignation of previous incumbent Adel Abdul Mahdi.
He now has 30 days to form a new cabinet and present it to Parliament for approval.
"I am honoured and privileged to be tasked with forming Iraq’s next government," Mr Al Kadhimi said on Twitter.
"I will work tirelessly to present Iraqis with a programme and cabinet that will work to serve them, protect their rights and take Iraq towards a prosperous future.
Mr Salih led a nomination ceremony for Mr Al Kadhimi that was attended by Iraq's top political figures, suggesting wide support.
"With sincere efforts the main political parties along with national and social forces have agreed to choose Mustafa Al Kadhimi," he said at the ceremony.
Thursday marked the 17th anniversary of the day that US-led troops occupied Baghdad.
The latest nomination comes as Iraq struggles to contain an outbreak of the coronavirus. The country has recorded more than 1,202 cases and 69 deaths.
Iraq, exhausted by decades of sanctions, war and political corruption also faces economic ruin and social unrest.
Mr Al Kadhimi has kept a low profile since taking office at the National Intelligence Service in June 2016 and is known to have good relations with the US and regional powers.
Born in Baghdad in 1967, he has a law degree and has published several books, including Humanitarian Concerns, which was selected in 2000 by the EU as the best book written by a political refugee.
He has worked as reporter and, until 2016, wrote widely on the reforms needed in Iraq.
Mr Al Kadhimi follows two other candidates nominated by Mr Salih to take over the prime minister's post from Adel Abdul Mahdi, who resigned in November.
The first candidate, former telecommunications minister Mohammed Allawi, withdrew his candidacy on March 1 after Parliament refused to approve his cabinet.
The second was Adnan Al Zurfi, who withdrew his candidacy on Thursday morning.
Mr Al Zurfi faced strong opposition from the main Shiite parliamentary blocs and lack of support from Kurdish and Sunni parties.
"This decision will not stop me from serving the public through my current parliamentary position," he said on Twitter.
"I will continue to work and prepare the country for the upcoming early elections and other challenges."
Mr Al Zurfi's decision to withdraw came a week before his 30-day period to assemble a cabinet acceptable to Parliament expired on April 16.
The UN mission in Iraq welcomed Mr Al Kadhimi's nomination to form a new government in a tweet posted soon after his designation as prime minister.
"We recognise and appreciate the hard work of Adnan Al Zurfi over the past weeks and welcome the designation of Mustafa Al Kadhimi to form a new government," the UN office said.
"The magnitude of challenges currently facing Iraq requires a united leadership that acts with urgent resolve."
57%20Seconds
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
