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Short Takes:
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad has sent a cable of congratulations to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on the occasion of the Lebanese national day. The cable read: "We, in Syria, are absolutely keen to enhance the fraternal ties between our two brotherly countries and expand areas of fraternal cooperation. It is a source of pleasure that work is continued to achieve this very objective which is a common interest for Syria and Lebanon, especially in our efforts to achieve the goal of a just and comprehensive peace in our region." Go

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem al-Thani yesterday expressed his hope that deposed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not be executed. The Qatari minister's statement came during his meeting with Sharif in the prison in an attempt by Qatar and Saudi Arabia to save Sharif's life. Sheikh Hamad emphasized the importance that General Pervaiz Musharraf, the military ruler of Pakistan, regard Sharif's case with a humanitarian view. Go

The Yemeni - Iraqi joint committee for trade and tourism begins meeting today to discuss exports of Yemeni foodstuffs to Iraq within the oil-for-food program, Saba reported. Go

The first Morocco-made school ship, part of a project to develop sea fisheries in the country, sailed last week off Larache in an official ceremony attended by Fisheries Minister Thami Khyari. The unit, to which Japan contributed $0.47 million, will provide practical training to operators of coastal and traditional fishing. The 22.3 meter-long "Al Mounir" school ship can accommodate 22 persons, including 10 trainees and 2 instructors. Go

The first forum of women parliamentarians of the Mediterranean will be held next March 8 in Napoli, said the speaker of the Italian chamber of deputies, Luciano Violante. The decision was made by a work group coordinating the conference of speakers of Euro-Mediterranean parliaments which met on Sunday in Rome. Go

A Canadian oil company will sign a deal with an Algerian company to invest in natural gas in southeastern Algeria, the Canada International Radio reported on Monday. Go

A cultural week for the country of Kazakhstan in Egypt during January is currently being organized. This came during the meeting between Kazakhstan's ambassador in Cairo and Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Cultural Affaits Mushira Khatab. The week will include musical, cinema and ballet shows and meetings between intellectuals in the two countries, while a special fair is being established for the recent publications in Egypt and Kazakhstan. Go

The ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, has received a message from Algerian President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika dealing with means of strengthening bilateral cooperation relations and several issues of mutual concern. Go

The regional bureau of the World Bank in Cairo said the Saudi government agreed to present a donation of $20 million to the Palestinians to finance the establishment of two courts in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A statement added that donation will finance a program for training judges and governmental administrative employees to increase the efficiency of the judicial work and develope the legal data system. Go

The US car company Daimler-Chrysler expected an increase in its sales in the Egyptian market for the year 2000 to 10% of the total sales, in comparison to nearly 4% of the Egyptian market's total sales in 1998. Troy Pollard, the regional manger of the company in Egypt, added that the company's sales reached 7% of the total sales in the market during the first half of this year. He said the company plans for strong competition through the small passenger cars, vans and jeeps, and 4x4s, as Chrysler's investment volume in Egypt reached $14 million. Go

Morocco's Saliha Khaldoune won Sunday the 10-km race of Madrid with 33 mn-52 sec, trailed by Spanish Maria Zazo (37:55). In the male category, Kenyan Abraham Chevy came in first ahead of Moroccan Chali Kaisen. Go

Jordan and France Telecom are to start in coming week discussions regarding selling 40% of Jordan Telecommunications Company through the Jordanian privatization committee, which decided to start a discussion with France Telecom from three international offers that were presented to win the transaction, expressing its hope of purchasing the government's share in the communications company. Go