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Short Takes:
UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said today that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan recommended the extension of the Iraqi humanitarian program for 180 days, as low oil prices have caused a shortfall of around $1 billion in Iraqi oil revenues compared to the amount allowed. Go

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa convened with Faisel Husseini, the official in charge of the Jerusalem issue in the Palestinian National Authority. Go

Qatar's government decided to raise up the shares of its public corporation for communications at the beginning of December. This will be the first Qatari government corporation upon which the policy of privatization is applied, and it is expected that the rate of the private sector's contribution will amount to 45%. Go

Sources in the Libyan people's committee for foreign communication and international cooperation said the USA has deducted a sum of $2 million from the volume of US financial aid to the Organization of African Unity after a call by the organization to end the economic sanctions imposed upon Libya. The sources alleged that the announcement of a reduction in aid is the US method of controlling international organizations. Go

Egyptian Minister of Trade and Supply Ahmed Goweili announced that a commission for merchandising Egyptian goods comprised of 16 Egyptian companies was sent to countries of West Africa, including Senegal and Cote D'Ivoire. Go

UAE President Sheikh Zayad al-Nahyan and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright spoke yesterday on the phone to discuss the recent crisis in the Gulf region, Khaleej Times reported. Go

Bahrain called for greater efforts to find alternative energy sources to fossil fuels, Gulf Daily News reported. Go

Capital Intelligence rating agency said that the UAE's diverse economy puts it at less risk from falling petroleum prices than many other petroleum-producing countries, Gulf News reported. Go

Lebanese President Elias Hrawi and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri decided to postpone discussion of a naturalization proposal until after Hrawi's term ends on November 23, Lebanon News Wire reported. Go

The executive council of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization "Isesco" opened Thursday in Rabat its 19th session to assess the organization's past achievements and set its future plan for the 2001-2009 period. Go

The cairo-based Union of Arab constitutional courts, which came into being last year, seeks to foster contacts between Arab constitutional bodies, enhance their coordination and contacts to foster constitutional law and culture in the Arab world, is meeting in Cairo. Go

Moroccan Housing Minister, Mohamed El Yazghi, conferred Thursday here with visiting South African peer, Ms Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, on ways of boosting cooperation between the two countries in matters of town planning, lodging and struggle against shanty-towns. Go

The chairman of the 22nd session of Cairo international cinema festival the actor Hussein Fahmy announced that 11 Arabic films will participate in this new session of the festival that is going to start on the coming Wednesday for 10 days. This is considered the largest participation of Arabic films in the history of the festival. These films represent Lebanon, Syria, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt. Go

A Tunisian economic source in Cairo told ArabicNews.com today that the share subscription was completed for an issue of five-year bonds worth 10 million dinars to benefit the Tunisian company for finance. Go

The Algerian daily al-Khabar reported on Thursday that Algerian security forces killed two gunmen of the armed groups three days ago in the mountainous area in Batna province. Go