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Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday discussed with Yemeni Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Abdul Karim al-Iryani bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern between the two states. Following the meeting, al-Iryani said he handed over President Mubarak a message from his Yemeni counterpart, President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The message extends an official invitation to the Egyptian president to visit Sanaa. The Yemeni FM said President Mubarak accepted the invitation, and a date for the visit will be set very soon. Go

Completion of the construction work on the new harbor of El-Ain El-Shokhna in Suez governerate is currently taking place, paving the way for opening the harbor at the beginning of the year 2000. General Mamdouh El-Zohariri, the governor of Suez, stated that nearly 1.5 kilometers of the first stage of the waterfront is finished and that 24 kilometers of the double road between Suez and Ain Sokhna, which is 44 kilometers long, has been paved. He also said a bid would be raised for establishing electric converter stations with a capacity fo 220 kilowatts, which will start in February, 2000. Go

Morocco has allocated around $ 1.01 bln for the implementation of the national program destined to supply drinking water to rural zones. Addressing Thursday the chamber of advisors (Senate), Moroccan minister of equipment, Bouamour Taghouane, said about 11 million inhabitants will benefit from the program necessitating annually about $ 25 Mln. Go

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani on Thursday in Doha received a message from the chairman of the National Reconciliation Council in the Republic of Niger (the president), dealing with means of strengthening cooperation between the two countries. Go

Iranian President Mohammed Khatami pledged yesterday to defend the religious minorities in Iran. Khatami also stated that his task is to defend his people and protect Christian and Jewish minorities. Go

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi arrived in Beirut on Thursday in a 48-hour visit to Lebanon, during which he will deliver a message to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud from his Iranian counterpart, Muhammad Khatami. The Iranian official news agency, IRNA, reported from Tehran that Beirut will be the first stop in Kharazi's tour of the region, which will last for five days and will also include Jordan. Go

A delegation of the Kuwaiti Committee of POWs and missing persons is currently visiting Morocco. The visit is meant to express gratitude and thanks to King Hassan II for his constant efforts to reach a solution to the issue of Kuwaiti POWs. Go

287 new companies were established in governerates of upper Egypt with a capital of 1.4 billion pounds, said Ibrahim Fawzi, head of Egypt's general organization for investment. Go

Morocco's imports increased in 1998 by 8.5 % to $ 9.9 billion against $ 9 bln in 1997, says the Moroccan exchange office in its latest release. Exports plummeted to $ 6.9 bln compared with $ 8.5 bln sold in 1997. The European union remains Morocco's 1st trade partner. Asia comes in the 2nd place advancing USA and Africa. Go

Egyptian astronomers and archeologists discovered an ancient sun observatory in the Nabta area in Toshka, Upper Egypt, where ancient Egyptians shepherds lived and established the observatory to learn about climate changes, the seasons and the dates of the rain-carrying summer winds to breed their cattle. Muslim Shlatul, a professor of space and sun research in the Royal Research Institute in Helwan stated that the observatory was discovered through U.S. - Egyptian cooperation and it was found to be the most the ancient observatory in the world yet discovered. Go

Over 140 pro golfers from USA, Europe, Africa and Asia are taking part in Morocco's 9th golf open which started Thursday at the Royal Golf Club of the Atlantic coastal city of Agadir. The Moroccan open, listed in the PGA (Professional Golf Association) tour, includes several side competitions such as the Sahara Cup (opposing an African team to a European one) and Pro-am cup (wherein amateur golfers team up with Pros). Go

US jets today bombed an Iraqi radar installation east of Mosul, which had targeted aircraft flying in Operation Northern Watch over the northern no-fly zone in Iraq, a statement from Incirlik air base in Turkey said. Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery also fired on the aircraft, the statement said, adding that the planes left the area safely. Go