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Short Takes:
King Hassan II amnestied 1500 inmates on the occasion of the Throne Day that marks this year the 38th anniversary of the king's enthronement. Some 664 detainees were granted full free pardon, 766 had their jail terms reduced and 10 others had their life imprisonment commuted to limited terms. Go

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa arrived today in Saudi Arabia on his way back to Egypt after he took part in the works of the economic summit of the Group of 8 Developing Islamic countries (D-8), currently being held in the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka. Go

The spokeswoman for the French Foreign Ministry has announced that the Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine will visit several Arab Gulf states starting on March 5. The spokeswoman added that during his visit Vedrine will discuss issues of joint interest and bilateral relations, noting that political, economic, cultural, and defense matters will be discussed during these visits. Go

Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Tuesday received a message from Iranian President Muhammad Khatami, conveyed by Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi during his meeting on Tuesday with the Saudi crown prince in al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh. Go

New Zealand fisheries, food and bio-diversity minister, John Luxton is to start on March 6 a three-day official visit to Morocco. Go

The Turkish police on Tuesday arrested some 19 persons on suspicions that they were involved in carrying out a wave of attacks, using bombs, in Istanbul in objection to the arrest of the chairman of the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan. In a statement, the Turkish police said that some 15 of the arrested people are responsible for launching attacks, using explosives, against state-run institutions and for organizing unlicensed demonstrations. Go

Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi has made a clear response to the mediations and good offices exerted in order to reach a just solution to the Lockerbie question. He highlighted efforts made by the President of South Africa, Neslon Mandela, and Saudi Arabia's King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, as well as other Arab and foreign leaders. Go

Former Israeli Army Chief of Staff Gen. Amnon Shahak said that the Syrians might be asked to halt the activities of the Lebanese resistance and the Hizbullah Party if peace negotiations are started with Syria. In an interview with Israeli Army Radio on Tuesday, Shahak said that the Syrian and Lebanese tracks are inseparable, "Therefore, negotiations with Syria should tackle eventually the two tracks just in one track." Go

The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that the secretary of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Etian Bin Tsour, will make an official visit to Turkey on March 4. In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Bin Tsour will hold political consultations with his Turkish counterpart, Kormomaz Hagtanir, concerning issues of mutual concern. Go

Chairman of the information office of the Chinese State Council has asserted the deep Chinese-Arab relations that have been witnessing in rapid growth in recent years. In a reception for heads of Arab diplomatic missions accredited in Beijing, the Chinese official reiterated his country's support for the legitimate rights of the Arab people as well as to the Middle East peace process. Go

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has denied any intention by his country to establish relations with Israel or to normalize relations with it. In a statement to the Kuwaiti daily al-Watan issued on Tuesday, Sharif said there are "legitimate Arab rights, occupied Arab lands and the question of Jerusalem which we view as basic, and Israel has to abide by international legitimacy and resolutions." Go