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Short Takes:
Saudi sources confirmed today that Crown Prince Abdallah Bin Abdul Aziz will visit Syria during the next two days, followed by a visit to Turkey to make mediation to defuse the crisis between the two countries. The sources said the Saudi mediation does not contradict with the mediation made by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, saying that the Saudi efforts enhance the Egyptian efforts. The sources said the aim is to attempt to gather the two parties at the negotiating table as well as decreasing Turkish demands, which he said are insurmountable. Go

The Tunisian council of deputies is to discuss during the current week amendments to election laws that would allow an increase in the number of seats specified for the opposition in the council to 20% of all seats. Four of the six legal opposition parties are represented in 16 of 163 seats. Go

The number of Egyptian companies established so far this year reached 1,401 companies of a limited liability among which are 498 joint stock companies. Go

It is decided to establish and inaugurate $600 million worth of new investment projects in North Sinai during the current month on the 25th anniversary of the October War. Go

Bahraini Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met yesterday with US Secretary of Defense William Cohen to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments, Gulf Daily News reported. Go

PLO political department chief Farouk Qaddoumi began a five-day visit to Qatar today, Gulf Times reported. Go

A member of the United Arab Emirates' mission to the United Nations reasserted at a meeting of the UN Economic Committee of the General Assembly the UAE call for increased pressure on Israel to end illegal practices in occupied territories, Khaleej Times reported. Go

Omani oil exports increased during the first seven months of 1998 by 0.7% over their 1997 rate, Oman Daily Observer reported. Go

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child said that sanctions against Iraq are worsening the health of children in Iraq, noting increased mortality rates and malnutrition. Go

The United Nations World Health Organization is executing a campaign to eradicate polio in areas of Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey through vaccinations of children under the age of five. Go

Palestinian factions in Syria, who oppose Israeli - Palestinian peace agreements, held a meeting today in Damascus, in which the former head of the Palestinian National Council Khaled El-Fahoum, leader of Palestinian al-Jihad movement Ramadan Abdallah, leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine Naef Hoatema, head of al-Saeka organization Essam al-Kadi, Hamas political bureau member Imad al-Alami and a number of leaders and high-ranking officials in Palestinian factions took part in denouncing Turkish threats against Syria. Go

Ahmed Fadel, the head of the Suez Canal, said in press statements today that the canal's income since it reopened on June 15, 1975 through October 6, 1998 was $28.5 billion. Go

The draw for the 1999 Davis Cup put Morocco in a match against Yugoslavia. The match, part of the Euro-African zone group two, will be played between next April 30 and May 2. Go

A French national was sentenced by a Tangier court (northern Morocco) to 5 years in jail for drug trafficking charges. Go

Morocco and Germany concluded on Friday an accord to foster cooperation in scientific and technological fields. Under the accord, the two sides convene to consolidate scientific and technological cooperation through the holding of regular meetings between their respective experts alternately in Rabat and Bonn. Go