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Today's Headlines
- Mubarak rceives Presidents of Kenya, Zambia, King of Swaziland
Before addressing the inaugural session of the first economic regional conference of the COMESA early on Monday, President Hosni Mubarak received Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi, Zambian President Frederick Chiluba and Swaziland King Mswati III. Egypt, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Egypt, keen on fulfilling COMESA objectives
"Egypt is committed to achieve the objectives of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and keen on realizing economic integration to set up a free trade zone," said Foreign Minister Amr Moussa on Monday. Egypt, Economics, 2/29/2000 - Saudi crown prince visits Cairo suddenly
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz arrived at Cairo suddenly at 2:40 p.m. in Cairo time for an official visit, during which he met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and they discussed the developments in the Middle East and the Israeli shelling of south Lebanon. Egypt, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Sudanese - Egyptian summit in April
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael said following his meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa yesterday on margin of the first economic conference for the Comesa countries that a Sudanese - Egyptian summit will be convened in Cairo on April 1 between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir. Sudan, Politics, 2/29/2000 - US tries to convince Syria to resume negotiations with Israel
Arab diplomatic sources in Riyadh which have followed up talks the Syrian foreign minister held in Riyadh said that the US is trying to convince Damascus to resume negotiations with Israel. Syria, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Moratinos: Syrian- Israeli negotiations will start soon
The European Union's Middle East peace process special envoy, Miguel Angel Moratinos, announced that serious contacts are being made with Syria. He expressed his conviction that negotiations between Syria and Israel will be resumed shortly. Syria, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Al-Shara concludes fruitful visit to Saudi Arabia
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Monday morning in Riyadh discussed with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Saud al-Faisal, the latest developments in the region and the Arab joint support for Lebanon during the deliberations of the Arab League council scheduled to be held in Beirut next month. Syria, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Moroccan-Tunisian political consultation commission meets in Rabat
The Moroccan-Tunisian political consultation commission discussed in Rabat Monday new forms of coordination between the two states on major topics of mutual concern. Morocco, Politics, 2/29/2000 - King Mohammed gets message from Tunisian president
King Mohammed VI received Monday a message from President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, on efforts to reactivate the edification of the Arab Maghreb. Morocco, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Central Africa backs Morocco's sovereignty over Sahara
The Central African Republic said it backs Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Prince of Bahrain is due to visit Muscat at end of this week
Diplomatic sources stated that Bahraini Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa will pay at the end of the first week of March an official visit to Muscat at invitation of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman. Bahrain, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Thai-Iraqi trade commission meets for first time in 12 years
A meeting of the Joint Thai-Iraqi Trade Commission was held for the first time in 12 years, as Baghdad pledged to make a full payment to Thai rice exporters after the U.N. economic sanctions against the country was lifted, Deputy Commerce Minister Gornpot Asavinvichit said in Bangkok on Tuesday. Iraq, Economics, 2/29/2000 - Chirac stresses unwavering French policy towards Middle East
The French presidency has announced that French President Jacques Chirac has stressed the firm and balanced French foreign policy which guides the attitude of the French government towards the Middle East, an attitude which will not be changed. Regional, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Jordanian -French friendship society deplores Jospin's statements
The Jordanian- French friendship society has announced freezing of its activities in protest of statements made by French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin against the Lebanese resistance. The society expressed regret over Jospin's violation of his diplomatic and political discipline. Jordan, Politics, 2/29/2000 - France assures its stable policy toward the Middle East
French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine informed Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa that France will not change its policy in the Middle East because it adheres to supporting the peace process on all tracks and ratifying a just and comprehensive peace in the area. Egypt, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Third Mediterranean forum for development in Cairo during March
Cairo will host on March 5 works of the third Mediterranean Development Forum. Regional, Economics, 2/29/2000 - Sudan condemns rebels' warning to rescue agencies
The Sudanese government condemned yesterday the Sudan People's Liberation Army under the chairmanship of John Garang due to their treatment of the rescue agencies in the south. Sudan, Politics, 2/29/2000 - King mohammed receives FIFA inspectors
King Mohammed VI received Monday here a FIFA delegation that paid a six-day visit to Morocco to inspect the country's sports, roads and telecommunications facilities. Morocco, Sports, 2/29/2000 - FIFA inspectors very impressed by Morocco's bid
FIFA inspectors said they were "very, very impressed" by Morocco's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. Morocco, Sports, 2/29/2000 - Opposition members tried in Bahrain
Reuters quoted the Islamic al-Bahrain al-Ahrar movement as saying on Monday that Bahrain intends to present before the court the opposition Shiite figure Abdul Wahab Hussein after four years of detention. Bahrain, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Ross admits failure of his Israeli-Palestinian mission
The US Middle East peace process coordinator, Dennis Ross, on Monday admitted that his mission has failed to break the stalemate in the Palestinian- Israeli talks. Palestine, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Today, the verdict in Qatar coup trial
It is decided that a Qatari court in Doha will deliver a sentence today in the case of the failed coup attempt which took place in Qatar in June 1995. Qatar, Judicial, 2/29/2000 - Netanyahu and negotiations with Syria
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied having agreed on the withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights to the June 4, 1967 border lines. Syria, Politics, 2/29/2000 - On the Syrian track
The Israeli daily Jerusalem Post said on Monday that the Israeli deputy defense minister, Ephriam Sneh, has expressed his pessimism over the possibility of resuming peace talks with Syria shortly, adding that even if peace is reached, the region will stay unstable. Syria, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Morocco calls UN to allow return of sequestered Sahrawi population
Morocco has officially asked the United Nations to allow the Sahrawi population sequestered by the Polisario secessionists to return home where all arrangements have been taken to cater for their needs. Morocco, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Europe-based Sahrawis claim registration in referendum voter lists
The association of Europe-based Sahrawis has asked the United Nations to register all its members in the voter lists for the UN-projected referendum in the Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Jordanian minister denies smuggling of commodities into Jordan from neighboring states
Jordanian Minister of Finance Michel Marto has denied that he accused the Jordanian Parliament of having a lobby protecting smugglers who smuggle commodities to Jordan from neighboring countries. Jordan, Economics, 2/29/2000 - Some 20 persons killed in Algeria
The Algerian security forces said on Monday that some 20 persons were killed on Sunday evening in El Bayadh province, 400 km southwest of the capital, Algiers. Algeria, Politics, 2/29/2000 - Sharon and the occupied Golan
The chairman of the Israeli Likud Party, Ariel Sharon, said that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is different from his predecessors in previous Israeli governments in that he is ready to give up the Golan, while his predecessors expressed their readiness to discuss a settlement concerning the Golan. Syria, Politics, 2/29/2000 - London hosts Moroccan exhibition next March
A Moroccan exhibition, featuring industrial products and culture, will open in London next March 29 for both the public and professionals. Morocco, Business, 2/29/2000 - Catching smuggled chemical materials to Kuwait that are used in producing nerve gas
El-Watan Kuwaiti newspaper said yesterday that chemical materials that could be used in producing nerve gas were found after they were smuggled into Kuwait last week. Kuwait, Local, 2/29/2000 - More than half Moroccan urban population live in 7% of Moroccan cities
As many as 69.3% of Morocco's 13.42 million-strong urban population are concentrated in 7% of Moroccan cities, says a study by the demographic studies and research center (CERED). Morocco, Economics, 2/29/2000 - Israel continues aggressions against south Lebanon
A spokesman for the Israeli Army admitted on Monday that two Israeli soldiers were wounded as a result of a Lebanese resistance operation carried out by the Lebanese resistance in the eastern sector of the occupied part of south Lebanon. Lebanon, Military, 2/29/2000
Short Takes
- King Mohammed VI will pay a private visit to Spain on Wednesday at the invitation of King Juan Carlos, it was officially announced in Rabat Monday. Go
- King Mohammed VI, commander in chief and chief of the general staff of the Royal Armed Forces, undertakes, as of March 2, an inspection tour to drill grounds in Errachidia and Ouarzazate and to the southern zone command in Agadir. The king will visit other military corps and facilities later on, the statement said. Go
- The Saudi royal court (divan) on Monday evening announced that Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz will start today an Arab tour which will cover Egypt, Syria and Lebanon and will last for four days. Go
- The Iraqi ambassador in Amman, Sabah Yassin, on Monday said, "We view Syria as a neighboring sisterly country to Iraq, and we do have common national, historical and economic interests with our Arab people in Syria." Go
- Singapore's prime minister on Monday arrived in Abu Dhabi on a visit to the United Arab Emirates which will last for three days. The Gulf News Agency said the Singapore prime minister will hold economic talks with high-ranking UAE officials. Go
- Switzerland's foreign minister and the federal chancellor, Joseph Deiss, arrives today in Damascus on an official visit to Syria. The Swiss minister is accompanied by a governmental delegation as well as by parliamentary and economic delegations representing associations including Swiss industries. Go
- King Abdullah of Jordan met on Monday in Amman with the commander of the US Third Army, Lt. Gen. Tommy Franks. The two sides reviewed areas of cooperation and the exchange of expertise in the defense and military fields between Jordan and the USA. Go
- Osama El-Baz, the political advisor to Egyptian President Honsi Mubarak, headed today to Israel in Egypt's endeavor to push forward the peace process in the Middle East. Go
- Alexandria University witnessed student demonstrations yesterday to protest the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and the declarations made by Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy concerning burning Lebanon. Go
- Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Nawaf Masalha stated on Monday that peace talks between Syria and Israel might be resumed next month. In a statement quoted by Israeli Radio, Masalha expressed his conviction that Israel will reach a peace agreement with Syria and Lebanon during next summer on the grounds of the land-for-peace formula. Go
- The Moroccan secretariat of state in charge of handicraft and the Mexican handicraft fund (FONART) agreed to speed up the finalization of a cooperation agreement in handicraft. Go
- The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Hamid Rida Asifi, announced on Monday in Tehran that the United Arab Emirates will release some 77 Iranians it holds, following efforts exerted by the Iranian Foreign Ministry to this end. The Iranian spokesman did not give more details, SANA reported. Go
- The Lebanese paper al-Mustaqbil reported, according to well-informed sources in Tehran, that the government of Iranian President Muhammad Khatami will announce the resumption of talks with Egypt. Go
- Cairo will witness on March 1-3 the first stock market for tourism to the countries on the Mediterranean Sea which is organized by the Egyptian Tourism Ministry in which 27 countries will participate, among which are Morocco, Libya, Turkey, China, the Czech Republic, Thailand, Bulgaria, the Philippines, Croatia, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Russia. Arab tourism ministers were also invited to participate in this stock market as well as 1,000 participants from another 76 countries that will unofficially participate in the work of this stock market. Go
- The Central African Republic voiced backing for Morocco's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. The backing was expressed by Central Africa's minister in charge of relations with the Arab World, Mamadou Bello, who conferred Monday with Moroccan minister in charge of the Maghreb, Arab and Muslim World affairs, Abdeslam Znined. Go
- The Jordanian and Italian governments on Monday signed an agreement on rescheduling debts for the fifth time of 2.4 billion Italian liras and US $19.3 million (US $20.5 million), in implementation of Paris Club minutes of meeting signed in May 1999 between the Jordanian government and Paris Club. Go
- Kuwaiti Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah al-Sabah on Monday in Kuwait received Bahrain's minister of information, Muhammad Ibrahim al-Mutawi. Go
- Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery fired today on aircraft enforcing the northern Iraq "no-fly zone" for the second straight day from west of Bashiqah, the US European Command said, adding, "Coalition aircraft responded to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system." Go
- An 85 meter scaffolding being used for work on a tanker collapsed in Asry, Bahrain, injuring seven workers, Gulf Daily News reported. Go
- Morocco's Younes Al-Aynaoui has lost one rank on the ATP standing moving from 7th to 8th. Go