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Short Takes:
Kuwaiti Minister of Higher Education Dr. Abdul Razzak al-Ghanem on Wednesday received Syria's ambassador to Kuwait, Mustafa al-Haj Ali. Go

In cooperation with the Italian embassy in Damascus, Cham Palace Hotel in Damascus is organizing an "Italian week" that will be observed at the Patio Restaurant in Damascus' Cham Palace Hotel from May 31 through June 4. Go

In response to reporters' questions about US House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich's remarks on Jerusalem as Israel's "united and eternal capital", the French Foreign Ministry's spokesperson criticized such "unilateral" actions and emphasized that, "According to already concluded agreements, final negotiations on the Palestinian territories' permanent status should define Jerusalem's status." Go

Oman's Sultan Qaboos said that Oman is examining ways of diversifying its economy in light of falling oil prices, Oman Daily Observer reported. Go

Sharjah ruler Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi praised the efforts of a Federal National Council committee dealing with meeting the housing-related needs of UAE nationals, Khaleej Times reported. Go

The Sudanese and Qatari foreign ministers met to discuss boosting bilateral relations and regional developments, Qatar News Agency reported. Go

Bahrain's Emir praised France's support of the peace process after meeting with French President Jacques Chirac in Paris yesterday, Gulf Daily News reported. Go

Expatriates in Qatar illegally have until August 20 to apply for legalization of their status under a new six-month amnesty plan, Gulf Times reported. The remaining three months would be used for administrative processes, the report said. Go

Saudi Arabia's Ma'adin Mining Company will increase its annual output of gold by over 50,000 ounces per year, Saudi Press Agency reported. Go

The UN's Iraq Sanctions Committee approved 72 contracts last week under the oil-for-food agreement, putting three of the contracts on hold and blocking none, Fred Eckhard, the UN secretary-general's spokesman, said. Go

The UN Security Council approved a six-month extension of the UNDOF observer forces monitoring the situation between Syria and Israel. Go

Three BBC journalists were arrested in Yemen after dressing as women to enter an area and film without permission, Nando Times reported. Go

Settlers from Israel Ateret Cohanim Jewish group agreed to leave an Arab East Jerusalem neighborhood, but Jewish seminary students will guard the site where they illegally built aluminum structures earlier this week, Fox News reported. Go

Ambassadress Salma Rashid, Libya's delegate to the Arab League, said yesterday the visit that will be paid by Colonel Moammar Gaddafi to Egypt from the middle of the coming week is taking on exceptional importance within the critical circumstances that face the Arab states as a result of the current crisis in the peace process. Rashid added that the Lockerbie crisis will be among the issues broached in the talks between Gaddafi and Egypt's President Mubarak. Go

In remarks to the Egyptian paper El-Ahram today, Iraqi Minister of Information Hamdan Abdul Khaleh said that most of the Arab countries are against continuing sanctions on Iraq and desire to ease the Iraqi people's suffering, whether by lifting the sanctions or easing their restrictions. Go

Britain and the U.S. occupy the list of the most important commercial partners for Abu Dhabi in April. The U.S. occupied the first position with exports of non-petroleum goods to Abu Dhabi. Go

The assistant secretary-general for economic affairs in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Abdullah El-Khalifi, said today that the GCC's petroleum cooperation committee will convene in Saudi Arabia, on June 5 to discuss the current status of the petroleum market. Go

A Yemeni source told ArabicNews.com that there are current communications between Asmara and Sanaa to improve relations, open new horizons of cooperation, and activate commercial exchange between them, which has viewed coolness since 1995. Go

Iraqi minister of Justice Shabib al-Malki, who is also secretary general of the Arab lawyers Union arrived in Beirut today to take part in the annual meeting of the Union's permanent bureau to be held tomorrow at the Arab university in Beirut. Go

Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced that a new phase of relations between Iran and the United Arab Emirates has already started. In a statement in Tehran today, Muhammad Muhammadi said the two countries reached a conclusion during the recent visit made by the Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi to the UAE in that dialogue is the best way to settle suspended matters and to establish security and peace in the region. Go

Ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah today in Kuwait received Saudi Minister of Information Fuad Abdul Salam al-Farisi for Talks on bilateral relations. Go

China has expressed support for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Xinhua quoted the Chinese President Jiang Zemin as saying to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, currently visiting China, that peace is a precondition to security because, "Without peace no security will be established." Go

Israeli radio on Wednesday reported that the Israeli - Jordanian joint committee in charge of studying implementation of provisions for the Eilat - Aqaba accord on Wednesday held a meeting with an agenda covering discussions on several relevant issues, including issuing licenses for 150 persons from the two cities to move freely from Aqaba to work in Eilat in various vocations. Go

In his visit to China, Israeli PM Netanyahu reiterated his refusal of the French - Egyptian proposal to convene a peace conference in the Middle East in order to take it out of its stalemate, claiming "bilateral talks" are the best means for achieving peace. Go

An official report published in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday said that Oman reduced its budget deficit by 90% during 1997 to US $56.4 million, thanks to an increase in its oil revenues the IMF reported. Go

Algeria and Spain on Wednesday signed an agreement providing for cooperation in the field of oil byproducts and its exploration, investment, production and marketing alongside with petrochemicals and fertilizers. Go

Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid will visit Lebanon on Monday and will visit Britain on June 13 to hold talks with British officials on a range of issues, including the peace process and the Lockerbie issue. Go

French President Jacques Chirac will pay an official visit to Lebanon tomorrow, during which he will meet with Lebanese President Elias Hrawi and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Go