From Learning English, this is In the News.
Nouri al-Maliki said Thursday that he would leave his position as prime minister of Iraq. His decision opened the way for Haider Jawad al-Abadi to take Mr. Malikis place.
Former colleagues describe Mr. Abadi as a good speaker and a direct person who is open to the ideas of others. He will need strong qualities. Among the issues facing the new prime minister are extremist militancy, religious division and political disputes.
The man now responsible for leading Iraq out of crisis was born in Baghdad. But he has lived much of his life outside the country. For example, he worked in Britain as an advisor in the engineering industry until the United States invaded Iraq in 2003.
His family suffered under the rule of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Saddams government arrested two of Mr. Abadis brothers in 1980 for their association with the Dawa Party and executed them two years later. In 1981, the government arrested a third brother for the same reason. That brother survived. But he spent 10 years in prison.
Mr. Abadi also was involved in the Dawa Party while in London. He served as an active party leader in exile.
He returned home to enter politics after Saddam was ousted from leadership. As communications minister, Mr.Abadi rebuilt telephone systems that had been destroyed by war. He also brought the first mobile and Internet communications services into the country.
In , he was elected to Parliament, then re-elected in March, . Last year, he led the finance committee. The committees responsibility is to rebuild the Iraqi budget.
More recently Haider Jawad al-Abadi served as deputy speaker of Parliament. The country held parliamentary elections in April. Mr. Malikis coalition unexpectedly won a majority of the seats. His coalition is called State of Law. On July 24, the new Parliament chose Fuad Masoum, a Kurd, as Iraqs new president.
The Constitution gives the president two weeks to choose a prime minister. That top official must come from Parliaments largest group.
So Nouri al-Maliki felt sure that he would serve a third term. But he has lost political support since his last appointment. Many blame him for the religious divisions in Iraq. He also is accused of widespread corruption. And critics say he has permitted the growth in power of Islamic militants who have seized much of the countrys north and west.
Mr. Masoum twice extended the deadline the time by which a prime minister must be named. Mr. Maliki broadcast a threat to take legal action against Mr. Masoum. On August 11, Mr. Masoum named Mr. Abadi to the top office.
In recent days, Mr. Abadi has promised to fight corruption and protect all Iraqis. He called on citizens to forget their differences and unite toward common goals for the future. He promised that Mr. Maliki would continue as an important political partner. And he praised the former leader for his efforts to deal with terrorism.
Haider Jawad al-Abadi also promised to rebuild and retrain Iraqs army so it can defeat Islamic militants.
From Learning English, thats IN THE NEWS.
词汇讲解:
1. decision n.决定; 果断
例句:She regretted her impetuous decision.
她后悔自己做了冲动的决定。
2. extremist n.极端主义者,偏激的人
例句:He was blacklisted because of his extremist views.
他因观点偏激而被列入黑名单.
3. invade vt. 侵入,侵略
例句:Wipe out any enemy who dares to invade our country.
消灭任何胆敢来犯的敌人。
4. suffer vi.受痛苦; 受损害
例句:Most national sports suffer scandals.
大多数民族运动遭受过丑闻。
5. arrest vt.逮捕,拘捕
例句: Attempts are being made to arrest the spread of the disease.
现正设法遏止这种疾病的蔓延.
6. survive vi.幸存,活下来
例句:The urge to survive drove them on.
求生的欲望驱使他们继续努力.
7. promise vt.允诺,许诺
例句:I promise Ill bring the car back to you in one piece.
我保证把车完整无损地还给你。
短语讲解:
1. The man now responsible for leading Iraq out of crisis was born in Baghdad.
be born 出生于 落地; 诞; 下生
例句:The great man was saied to be born in a crude hut.
据说那个伟人生於一个简陋的小屋里。
2. Saddams government arrested two of Mr. Abadis brothers in 1980 for their association with the Dawa Party and executed them two years later.
association with 与的交往;与联合
例句:I have association with the socialists.
我与协会内的社会主义者有交往。
3. He called on citizens to forget their differences and unite toward common goals for the future.
call on 拜访; 叫; 号召; 要求
例句:We call on interested parties to meet in september.
我们呼吁相关各方于份召开会议。
4. And he praised the former leader for his efforts to deal with terrorism.
deal with 惠顾; 与交易; 应付; 对待
例句:I cannot deal with your paranoia.
我管不了你的多疑症。
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