We are looking for sales & marketing representatives in different countries. Apply now!

Short Takes:
The International Bank for Building and Construction decided to offer easy loans valued at $600 million to finance the implementation of a number of large projects during the coming 18 months. The bank's representative, Khaled Ekram, told ArabicNews.com today that the stable economic and political situation in Egypt have greatly contributed to attracting foreign and Arab capital and hastened the obtaining of this loan along with building international trust in Egypt's economy. Go

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad met with former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on Wednesday at the Damascus al-Rawda presidential palace. Talks dealt with conditions in the region, recent regional developments and the provocative acts conducted by the Israeli government against, as well as matters of concern to both Syria and Lebanon. Go

Egyptian Minister of Rural Development Mahmoud Sherif stated that the ministry's plan aims at completing basic infrastructure projects in all of Egypt's villages by the year 2017. In a press statement Sherif said yesterday that the current investments in fresh water projects amount to nearly 92.4 million pounds, investments in electricity are 27.81 million pounds, investments in sewage projects are 85.41 million pounds, the communications and road investments are 55.65 million pounds, and projects to improve the environment cost 98.71 million pounds for a total of 359.98 million pounds. Go

Bahrain is conducting as part of Arab Literacy Day a media campaign to promote literacy an Education Ministry official said, adding that the illiteracy rate among people aged 10 - 44 stands at 5.35%, Gulf Daily News reported. Go

Two European expatriates, one German and one Swiss national, working in Oman are missing after an apparent desert camping trip, Oman Daily Observer reported. Go

UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan freed 255 prisoners, paying 14.3 million dirhams in debts for which they were imprisoned, Khaleej Times reported. Go

Jordan and Iraq have reached an agreement under which Iraq will export 4.8 million tonnes of petroleum products to Jordan during 1999, Jordan Times reported. Go

The British Aircraft carrier Invincible is sailing for the Gulf to maintain pressure against Iraq, Gulf Times reported. Go

Fire destroyed Tuesday 78 stores in a Laayoune market (Southern Morocco). Only ten shops in the popular market were saved, rescue teams said. Wood, plastic items and gas bottles contributed to the rapid spread of fire. Go

A Yemeni diplomatic spokesman in Cairo confirmed today that his country does not need to join the British commonwealth, replying to the statement made by a British official against nominating Yemen to join the commonwealth. Go

King Hussein of Jordan arrived in London late Wednesday night in a private visit during which he will spend a rest vacation that will last for several days before he heads to Jordan after undergoing medical treatment in the Unted States for cancer. Go

Diplomats at the United Nations said that the Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, intends to visit Libya in order to mediate in the Lockerbie incident. Last week Prince Bandar asked the sanctions committee at the UN Security Council for a permit to fly to Tripoli, Libya on January 5. Go

Algerian security forces killed some 40 members of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) during a vast mopping-up operations within the past few days in Ain Defla province. In its Wednesday's issue, the Algerian daily al-Chaab (people) said that the Algerian security and army forces are jointly carried out a vast mopping up campaign at the headquarters of the GIA in the woods of Wadi al-Rumman in Tajneh district. Go

Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Wednesday received a message from Iranian President Muhammad Khatami, conveyed by the chairman of the Iranian presidential office, Muhammad Ali Abtahi, during his meeting with the Saudi crown prince on Wednesday in Riyadh. Go

Commander of the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army militia, Antoine Lahd, was admitted on Tuesday night to Marjyoun hospital following a stomach ache. He was then taken to an Israeli hospital for treatment. Sources in the South Lebanon Army said that Lahd is not in critical health condition. Go

The Lebanese daily al-Nahar has reported that Lebanon's Middle East Airline Company will begin air flights to Tehran for the first time in 31 years, twice a week (on Mondays and Fridays) as of March 29, 1999. Go