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The Saudi national soccer team will stay in the southern France city of St. Maxim to prepare for the World Cup tournament, Saudi Press Agency reported. Go

Qatar's Emir issued a decree amending the constitution of the Gulf state's Planning Council, Qatar News Agency reported. Go

German industrialist Karl Jungbeck is negotiating with Bahraini investors to establish a food processing plant there, Bahrain Tribune reported. Go

The UN Security Council met yesterday to discuss a three-month renewal of the UN MINURUSO mission dealing with the upcoming Saharan self-rule referendum. A report from UN Secretary-General Annan recommended renewal, though it noted delays in the process of identifying those eligible to vote in the referendum. Go

UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan called for an Arab summit, Khaleej Times reported. Go

Saudi Arabia's Health Ministry said that 113 of 118 victims of last week's stampede during the Haj have been identified and buried, Nando Times reported. Go

UN Secretary-General Annan reiterated that the agreement he signed with Iraq called for unrestricted access to UN weapons inspectors, CNN reported. Go

A spokesman for the British Defense Ministry said yesterday that four British jet fighters of the Tornado type from the British Royal Air Force left a German air base in Brugin to strengthen the British military presence in the Gulf region. The AP quoted the spokesman as saying that the four jets will join another eight of the same type, stationed in Kuwait since February 1998. Go

China said today that it will dispatch by the end of the current month some 2,000 engineers to Sudan to start work on a 1540 km-long oil pipeline. Xinhua quoted an official at the Chinese "China National Petroleum Corp." company as saying that China won the contract in 1997. Go

Yemen and Germany today signed an agreement for cultural and scientific cooperation as German Minister of state for Foreign Affairs Helmut Schafer visited Sanaa. The agreement deals with means of developing cooperation in antiquities, preserving cultural heritage, exchanging visits of scientific delegation and experts and sport cooperation. Go

A Moroccan aircraft arrived in Baghdad today carrying humanitarian aid from the Labor - Democratic Confederation in Morocco. The Confederation's secretary-general, Nuber Muhammad al-Omawi, who escorted the aid said the shipment is composed of 10 tons of foodstuffs, as an expression of the solidarity voiced by the people of Morocco with Iraq. Go

The transportation committee in Egypt's People's Assembly (the parliament) approved yesterday a law granting foreigners as well the Egyptians the right to establish general or private harbors. The law would allow foreigners to manage, exploit, maintain and collect money in return for the use of the harbors. Go

The Qatari foreign minister, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem al-Thani, has arrived in Tunisia today on a two-day visit in which he will hold bilateral talks with the Tunisian president and foreign minister, and will mark the beginning of the second meeting of the high-joint committee headed by the two foreign ministers. Go

Masow Romikani, the representative of the International Monetary Fund in Egypt said in a special statement to Al-Ahram Hebdo newspaper that there is a trend toward increasing direct foreign investment in Egyptian companies, adding that this is considered a good indicator for the Egyptian economy, as it is related to a reduction in short-term debts. Go

The activities of the joint "Eagle's Salutation" marine exercises will start on Friday between the US and Egyptian navies, as two Egyptian and US frigates will participate in the two-day maneuvers as well as elements of the Egyptian air force and US helicopters to practice assistance and exploration operations. Go

Ein Shams University will hold its annual meeting on pediatrics in two weeks under the auspices of Mrs. Susan Mubark, the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's wife. Go

Cairo University will celebrate the 90th anniversary of its establishment at the end of December. Go

Syrian Premier Mahmoud al-Zoubi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the higher agricultural council during which memorandums were submitted on measures to encourage exports of agricultural products, especially live-stock products, as well as to encourage producers to develop, diversify and manufacturing products. Go

The secretary-general of the Baath Party organization in Jordan, Mahmoud Ma'etah, warned against grave consequences from the new partnership between Israel and Jordan in setting up joint factories and free zones in Irbid and Sheikh Hussein bridge. Go

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will head for the US in mid-May to take part in meetings of Jewish organizations in Washington. He will take part in demonstrations organized by the Jewish organizations in New York in solidarity with Israel. Earlier, Netanyahu dispatched messages to Jewish organizations all over the world calling for support for Israel, Israeli radio reported. Go

Former Union chief of Jordanian Engineers association Leith Shbeilat was released on bail after from detention on charge of inciting violence that caused death and injury in the city of Ma'an during the Iraqi crisis two month ago. Go