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Short Takes:
A round of official talks was held on Monday in Canada between Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy. Talks dealt with recent developments in the Balkans, conditions in the Middle East and the possibilities of reviving the Middle East peace process following the formation of the new Israeli government. Talks also dealt with bilateral relations between the two countries and the possibility of developing them in various economic, trade, and cultural fields. Go

The Jordanian weekly al-Hadath has said in its recent issue that Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh will discuss with his Syrian counterpart, Mahmoud al-Zou'bi, in the meeting of the Syrian - Jordanian higher committee the issue of the Jordanian detainees in Syria, which he described as one of the pending matters which needs solution with the Syrians. Go

Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Monday discussed with Lebanese Parliament member Nazih Mansour, who is also a member of the al-Wafa bloc for resistance, Israel's theft of Lebanese waters in order to irrigate its settlements Following the meeting with al-Hoss, Mansour said Israel has started stealing al-Hammad spring's water in the Marjyoun area. He added that pipelines between the spring and northern Israel were erected at a length of seven kilometers and a depth of one and a half meters. Go

The secretary of the Libyan people's committee, Muhammad al-Manqoush, met on Monday in Syrte, Libya with Egyptian Finance Minister Mohieddin El-Gharib, currently visiting Libya. The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and means of strengthening and developing them for the common interests of the two states' peoples. A similar meeting was held between the Libyan people's finance secretary (finance minister), Muhammad Beit al-Mal, and the Egyptian minister in a meeting in the city of Syrte discussed cooperation relations and means of developing them. Go

Mohammed Bassyouni, Egypt's ambassador in Israel, stated that the head of the Davos World Economic Forum, Klaus Shawab, suggested that Egypt host the economic conference of the Middle East at the end of the current year. Bassyouni said that Egypt does not mind hosting it if there is remarkable progress in the peace process. Go

The leader of the opposition Sudanese People's Liberation Army, Colonel John Garang, will arrive in Egypt on July 4 to meet with officials in Cairo and inform them of the results of Sudanese opposition meetings in Asmara. A SPLA official said Garang will lead a large delegation that will include his foreign minister, Dinak Alour, and military officials, adding that Garang will discuss in Cairo the initiatives raised in the Sudanese arena for reconciliation and participation in the meetings of the opposition Democratic National Alliance that will start in Cairo on July 5. Go

The first deputy chairman of the Iraqi Olympic committee, Aseel Tabara, said that his country will participate with a sports delegation of 200 persons including administrators, coaches and players in the ninth Arab Games scheduled to be held in Jordan on August 11 - 31. Go

US jets bombed "an Iraqi military command and control site" located southwest of the city of Mosul after Iraqi radar targted aircraft flying as part of Operation Northern Watch, which patrols the "no-fly zone" over nothern Iraq, and Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery fired on the aircraft, a release from the US European Command said. The incident is the third in the last five days. Go

The Sudanese armed forces have denied reports that Sudanese opposition groups took control of the al-Dandar area in eastern Sudan on Thursday. A Sudanese military spokesman said that the opposition claims are "baseless." Go

The vice-speaker of the Venezuelan senate, Julio Castillo Sagarzoze, is currently visiting Morocco at the invitation of the Moroccan Chamber of advisors (Upper house of the Parliament) Sagarzoze held talks with moroccan Mps that focused on means to consolidate ties between the two countries' parliaments. Go

A spokesman for the Jewish agency said that a first group of the Falasha Jews will arrive today in Israel from Ethiopia. The spokesman added that this group number 80 persons and are on board of an ordinary flight on the Ethiopian airlines. The spokesman Michael Yankilo Venzan explained that 3800 Ethiopian Jews will arrive on weekly flights during the coming months, noting the Ethiopian authorities were very cooperatives. The spokesman added that those Ethiopian Jews will live in Mega Sereit Zeyoun" settlement, near Jerusalem. Go

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday denied claims raised by the Israeli daily Haaretz that Iran has proposed to maintain a dialogue with Tel Aviv over disarmament. The spokesman, Hamid Rida Asifi, in a statement he made in Tehran on Monday described raising such claims as futile attempts to undermine Iran's position and unwavering stances, noting that such "claims and tricks" are void and baseless. Go

Iran has reiterated that the arrest of a spy network of 13 Iranian Jews under charges of spying for Israel has nothing to do with religion. In a statement he made in Tehran on Monday, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Hamid Rida Asifi, said the concern showed by certain countries, usually encouraged by certain international circles, is groundless. Go

The spiritual guide of the Iranian revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Monday received the speaker of the Sudanese National Council, Hassan al-Turabi, currently visiting Tehran. During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations, issues of mutual concern and the results of the works of the constituent meeting of the Islamic Parliament Union (IUP) recently held in Tehran. Go

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will hold a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak immediately following the formation of the new Israeli government. The minister of industry at the Palestinian Authority, Sa'di Alkrunz, told journalists during his participation in the opening a technological exposition in Tel Aviv on Monday that there are preparations to convene a meeting between Arafat and Barak with the support of the US administration upon the formation of the new Israeli government. Go