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Egypt is in position to become the world's largest producer of carbon black, Investment Authority Chairman Ibrahim Fawzi said, adding that this will come through an expansion of existing capacities. He added that Egypt will assume the leadership position although it only began carbon black production in 1994. When the expansion is completed, Egypt will produce over 180,000 metric tons annually, up from the current 110,000 metric tons. 90% of the current amount is exported, at a value of LE 160 million. Go

Syrian Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass on Tuesday in a statement to SANA commented on reports by news agencies and some papers about his criticism of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Tlass said, "I had criticized the policy of concessions being pursued by the Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman since he had signed Oslo deal. But I did not pronounce any obscene or improper word against this person." Go

It was announced in Beirut on Tuesday that the ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani, will hold an official visit to Lebanon at the invitation of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on August 8. Sheikh Hamad is to be accompanied by a high-ranking Qatari delegation. Go

King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, visited on Tuesday the cardiovascular surgery service of the Ibn Sina Hospital. The king thanked the physicians of the service for the efforts they made during the medical care they administered to the late King Hassan II. Go

Scores of Lebanese people from the occupied town of Eita al-Shaab staged on Tuesday a sit in, in front of the information headquarters of UNIFIL in the city of Tyre, in protest of the oppressive measures taken by the Israeli occupation forces and the Israeli-allied South Lebanon Army militia against the people of the town. Go

Israeli President Ezer Weizman met on Tuesday with Finnish Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen and discussed with her the latest developments concerning peace negotiations, Israel Radio reported. Finland is currently presiding over the rotating presidency of the European Union. Go

Bahraini Emir today issued three decrees, approving agreements with Malaysia and Thailand, Gulf News Agency said. Two of the three agreements deal with avoiding dual taxation and income tax evasion and encouraging and protecting investment between Bahrain and Malaysia. The third decree approves two additions to Bahrain's 1980 air services agreement with Thailand, the report said. Go

Sources in the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum stated today that the issue of exporting Egyptian gas to Israel has not been proposed yet, especially as Egypt feels that the Israelis are not serious about obtaining Egyptian gas, as former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played a role in halting the negotiations in this respect, but current Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has not sought to tackle this issue. Go

It was announced in Vienna on Tuesday that the Austrian authorities gave Iraqi Vice President Izzat Ibrahim an entry visa to Austria to receive medical treatment. The AP said that the Austrian Foreign Ministry refused to comment on the nature of the visit Ibrahim will make, adding that other European states abstained from giving Ibrahim an entry visa to their territories. Go

Israeli Radio said on Tuesday that Beini Omar, a diplomat at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, will be appointed shortly as the chief of the Israeli representation office in Tunisia in succession of Shaloum Cohen, who ended his term of office. Go