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Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have signed a memorandum of understanding on an "open skies policy" between the two states, Gulf Daily News reported. Go

Syrian brides Rweida Nayef Hamad and Jamila Abu Shahin, originally from the Baqaatha village in the occupied Golan, on Thursday crossed into the occupied Golan Heights from the crossing point at the liberated city of al-Quneitra in Syria to the two villages of Masaada and Baqaatha in the Golan Go

Zafer El-Hasan, the secretary general of the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, held bilateral talks yesterday with Uruguayan Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Rodriguez Pioli, who is currently visiting Lebanon heading a delegation of businessmen of Lebanese origin. The two sides asserted after the talks the importance of enhancing the relations between the two countries in the political, economic and cultural fields and strengthening these relations through convening bilateral agreements to enhance the future relations. Go

A human rights center has been dedicated lately in Fez to promote studies, research, legal reforms and human rights culture. The center will first focus on integrating human rights culture in the syllabi of all schools and will set up a special school for dropouts. Go

Several Canadian figures have set up a committee to materialize their full backing to Morocco's bid to host the 2006 World Cup finals. These figures include former Cooperation Minister Ms. Monique Landry, Francophone games president Michel Drouen, former president of the Canadian Football Association George Schwartz, and former Canadian ambassador to the Organization for Cooperation and Economic Development Kimon Valaskakis. Go

It was decided to delay the meeting of the Palestinian Central Council that was scheduled for December 20, and it is expected to be held in middle of January, said El-Taiyeb Abd El-Rehim, secretary general of the Palestinian presidency, who added that the intention is to delay the meeting for a specific short period until the crystalization of the political situation, development of the efforts to push forward the peace process and the removal of the obstacles confronting it due to the Israeli stances. Go

Morocco will host next February an international women's football tournament with national squads from Canada, Scotland and France participating. The tournament, to be played in two Moroccan cities, will be held February 23-29 part of Morocco's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. Go

The crime rate in the United Arab Emirates rose in 1998 by 1.6% from 1996-97 levels, Khaleej Times reported, adding that rises in crimes involving immigration and money spearheaded the increase. Go

Four US airmen were injured in Kuwait in a helicopter accident during a training exercise, Bahrain Tribune reported. One week ago three US airmen were killed in Kuwait during an attempted landing by a transport plane. Go

Teachers of the medicine and pharmacy school of Rabat will observe this december 23-24 a two-day strike and a march, in all Moroccan cities, to protest "the serious degradation of the medicare and work conditions." Go

Israeli, Turkish and US naval forces held yesterday a joint training for rescue and recovery in the Mediterranean Sea off the Turkish coasts. Israel Radio said today that helicopters are participating in the exercise, which lasted for one day. It added that similar training took place in the last year off Hafia's coast. Go

The Algerian armed groups have killed some 11 soldiers and wounded other 22 in an ambush on the road leading between Chlef and Tissemsilt provinces. The Algerian dailies issued on Thursday said that this attack targeted an army force that was manning three lorries loaded with foodstuffs. Go

A Spanish national arrested on Tuesday in the port of Tangiers in the possession of 15 kg of chira, was sentenced to one year in prison by a Tangiers court. Sanz Murillo Enrique, 54, will also pay a $600 fine to the Moroccan Tobacco Enterprise. His Spain-registered car, where he was hiding the banned substance, was confiscated. Go

The United Nations said today that the UN Security Council voted to adopt resolution 1284, which establishes the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) to succeed UNSCOM in inspecting for weapons in Iraq, and creates the possibility of the suspension of economic sanctions if Iraq cooperates. China, France, and Russia abstained from voting. However, Iraq has repeatedly said that it would reject such an arrangement and that it will settle for no less than a plan that provides for the lifting of the sanctions. Go