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Short Takes:
The Egyptian daily al-Akhbar expected party and governmental changes in Syria following the reelection of President Hafez al-Assad to a new constitutional term. In a study reported by its news team to Damascus which took part in covering news of the referendum on nominating President al-Assad, published on Sunday, the paper said the aim of these changes is to renovate the infrastructure in Syria and inject new blood which would help in further "development of modern Syria." Go

The monthly report of the Egyptian central bank said that total deposits in banks working in Egypt at the end of last November reached 222.663 billion Egyptian pounds, an increase of 17.139 billion pounds over November 1997. Go

Equatorial Guinean President Theodoro Obiang Nguema Mbazogo arrived on Sunday in Rabat for a private visit to Morocco. President Mbazogo told the press upon arrival that he is visiting Morocco at the invitation of King Hassan II. Go

Bahraini Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa met with King Abdullah of Jordan, reaffirming Bahrain's support for Jordan, Bahrain Tribune reported. Go

Bahrain will lift municipal taxes on Bahraini tenants, while keeping fees for expatriates, Gulf Daily News reported. Go

The UAE emirate of Sharjah arrested 33 illegal immigrants, including 22 who tried to enter the UAE by sea, Khaleej Times reported. Go

Qatari Foreign Minster Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani will visit the United States this week to address bilateral and regional issues, Gulf Times reported. Go

The Muscat Book Fair opens today at the Oman International Exhibition Center, Oman Daily Observer reported. Go

Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf will arrive today in Khartoum for a visit during which he will convey a communique from Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to president Omar El-Bashir. Go

Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh stated yesterday that King Abdullah placed his trust in Tarawneh's government, formed on August 20, 1998, and commanded him to resume work after placing himself at the King's disposal after the death of King Hussein. Go

The representative of Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, Badawy, announced that the company will begin to pump Sudanese petroleum for export on June 30, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the coup d'etat of 1989. Go

Former Bahraini Minister of Information Abdul Rahman al-Mu'yed died on Sunday morning in London at the age of 56. The deceased occupied the post of the information minister in 1973 as well as his posts as chairman of the higher tourism council and the national council for culture, the arts and literature. Go

President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen will visit Japan in the middle of March leading a high-ranking official delegation. During his visit, Saleh will discuss with Japanese officials conditions in the Middle East and several international issues of mutual concern. Go

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Kuwaiti Embassy in Amman announced abrogation of its celebrations of Kuwait's national day and liberation day. The Kuwaiti decision was taken as a sign of Kuwait's participation in the mourning with Jordan over the death of King Hussein. Go

Qatar's Crown Prince Sheikh Jasem Bin Hamad al-Thani met on Saturday with Egypt's minister of oil and mineral resources, Hamdi El-Banbi, and chairman of the Suez Canal commission, Ahmad Fadel. The Gulf News Agency said the two sides reviewed relations between the two countries especially in the areas of oil and gas and means of developing them. Go

Iran has denied claims quoted by the mass media on statements of a Pakistani official on the possibility of the arrival of Osama Bin Laden in Iran. An official source at the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed in a statement he made in Tehran on Sunday his regret over such claims. Earlier in the day AFP reported that a Pakistani official said that "Bin Laden was last seen on last Friday near the Iranian borders." Go

Iraqi Deputy Premier Tariq Aziz arrived on Sunday in Turkey where he will start a working visit to this country at the invitation of Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Aziz arrived at al-Khabour border center and was taken by military helicopter to the Deyar Baker district before he headed to Ankara. Go

The British daily Sunday Telegraph said on Sunday that Russia signed an arms deal with Iraq at an estimated value of US $160 million. In an article quoted by the BBC on Sunday, the paper added that Russian companies will renovate Iraq's anti-aircraft missiles. The paper added that the British foreign secretary may raise the issue of this deal during his next visit to Moscow in two months. Go

Iraqi Deputy Premier Tariq Aziz on Sunday called for lifting the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq. In an interview with the Japanese Asahi Television via satellite from Baghdad. Aziz added that Baghdad will not permit the return of UNSCOM teams to Baghdad, saying they work for the CIA and the Israeli Mossad. Aziz called upon Japan to develop its foreign policy with Iraq. Go

Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid on Sunday held consultations with Somalia's permanent representative to the Arab League on current Arab conditions, especially the situation in Somalia. Somalia's representative at the AL said his talks during the meeting with the AL chief dealt with preparations to convene the 111th session of the AL council to be held in March, under Somalia's chairmanship. Go