We are looking for sales & marketing representatives in different countries. Apply now!

Short Takes:
King Abdullah II of Jordan on Tuesday received a telephone call from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, during which the two leaders reviewed several Arab and international issues, especially the Middle East peace process, and the latest developments concerning them. Go

Sheik Abdullah El-Ahmar, the head of the Yemeni Parliament, headed to Jeddah for a short visit to Saudi Arabia during which he will perform the minor Haj. Informed sources in Sanaa expected today that El-Ahmar, who is heading the Yemeni side in the high technical committee for the borders, will hold discussions with high-ranking officials in Saudi Arabia concerning raising new concepts for solving the border problem in light of the current communications between the two states. Go

Algerian Minister of Interior Yazid Zerhouni will convene a press conference during the coming week to declare the number of those who have repented from practicing terrorism and gave up their weapons under a plan that will end on January 13 and in light of what was previously said by former Minister of Interior Abdelmalek Sellal and the preliminary number of those who surrendered during the last month. Algerian security sources stated that the number of terrorists who gave up their weapons exceeded 200, and their files were settled by committees of law implementation. Go

Prince Felipe of Bourbon, the crown prince of Spain, started on Tuesday a visit to Morocco. The Spanish prince was received at the airport by Prince Moulay Rachid, brother of King Mohammed VI. Go

Officials in Shas, the biggest religious party in Israel, said they have reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minsiter Ehud Barak concerning the dispute which threatened Barak's coaliation government as Edi Shaer said through Israeli television that there is only one point of dispute and that Shas is waiting for its settlement, but a final formula must be made for the agreement today. Go

Algeria, as the current head of the Organization of African Unity, urged Cote D'Ivoire to be patient and wise as well as to guarantee rights and security for everybody. Go

King Mohammed VI on Tuesday sent President Jacques Chirac of France a condolence message following the storms that hit France last Sunday and Monday. The king expressed feelings of deep sympathy and solidarity and asked President Chirac to convey his condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims. Two violent storms hit France last Sunday and Monday, killing at least 69 persons. Go

The Moroccan office for industrial development (ODI) will stage Feb. 21-25 Moroccan-Italian industry partnership days in several Italian cities. Seminars and workshops on investment opportunities in Morocco and ready-to-implement projects will be held in collaboration with the Italian foreign trade institute. Go

Israeli Minister of Justice Yossi Beilin expressed his opposition to removing any Jewish settlement in the West Bank or Gaza Strip in the final settlement with the Palestinians. Israel Radio quoted Beilin as saying that Israel will keep large settlement blocs where Israeli sovereignty will be received in the final status negotiations. Go

28 Arab and foreign companies agreed to participate in a Kuwaiti fair specializing in fashion and clothing that will be held in January at the Safir International Hotel, where the participating companies will display various women's dresses in addition to shows for perfumes, jewelrey, watches, glasses, and furniture. It is expected that 30,000 visitors will visit the show, especially as the Kuwaiti market is distinguished by different types of consumers concerned with dresses, perfumes and jewelery. Go

The UN Office of the Iraq Program (OIP) said yesterday that Iraq has exported 14.6 million barrels of oil since the beginning of the seventh phase of the oil-for-food program, bringing in an estimated $340 million in revenue. Go

The Dubai authorities on Monday closed the International Business Group (IBG), the exclusive distributor for Cartiers International in the Middle East, and its showrooms for customs violations, Gulf News reported. Go

Three agreements between Qatar and Senegal took effect yesterday, setting up a higher joint committee, encouraging and protecting bilateral investment and creating bilateral trade and economic and technical cooperation, Gulf Times reported. Go

The first process train is ready to produce liquid natural gas (LNG) at a new processing plant in Qalhat, Oman, Oman Daily Observer reported, adding that the first shipment of the plant's products is planned for April. Go