Today's Headlines
- $13 million in Egyptian exports to Iraq
Many Egyptian companies from the public and private business sectors signed contracts to supply Iraq with sugar and detergents worth LE 45 million ($13 million US) in the framework of the seventh stage of the oil-for-food program. Egypt-Iraq, Economics, 3/1/2000
- King Mohammed'svisit to Spain is a very friendly gesture, Matutes says
The private visit King Mohammed VI pays to Spain Wednesday has been described by Spanish foreign minister, Abel Matutes, as "a very friendly gesture towards Spain." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 3/1/2000
- On the Cabinet reshuffle in Syria
The Lebanese al-Mustaqbal paper said on Tuesday that the fate of the government of Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi is still swinging between increasing rumors of its resignation and increasing rumors that this government will stay. Syria, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Swiss FM holds talks in Damascus
Syrian Minister of the Economy and Foreign Trade Muhammad al-Imadi on Tuesday evening discussed with the Swiss federal chancellor and minister of foreign affairs, Joseph Deiss, means of enhancing trade and economic relations between the two countries in various areas, as well as exchanging expertise. Syria-Switzerland, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Turkish Foreign Ministry delegation in Damascus on March 6
A delegation representing the Turkish Foreign Ministry led by the former Turkish ambassador in Damascus, Ogore Reyal, will arrive in Damascus on March 6 in a serious attempt to hold talks on the waters of the Tigris and the Euphrates and to conclude official agreements that can replace the temporary agreement of 1987, linking this to signing a new security agreement that can also replace the Adanah agreement of 1998. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Israel threatens to strike Syrian interests in Lebanon
Israel has threatened to endanger the Syrian interests in Lebanon if the Hizbullah Party continues its attacks against the Israeli forces in south Lebanon. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Mubarak, Saudi crown prince call on Israel to abide by UN resolutions
Official talks were held on Tuesday in Cairo between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. The meeting was attended by the two countries' foreign ministers, Amr Moussa and Prince Saud al-Faisal and the Emir of Riyadh, Salman Bin Abdul Aziz. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Riyadh to host Gulf states foreign ministers April meeting
An official in the Gulf Cooperation Council asserted that the foreign ministers of the member states -- which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates-- will convene in Riyadh in April. Gulf, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Reform of education system, cornerstone of sustained development, king says
King Mohammed VI pointed out Tuesday that the reform of the educational system is the cornerstone of a sustained social development and called for enforcing the new educational system as of the coming academic year. Morocco, Education, 3/1/2000
- Paris grants diplomatic status to Arab League office
The French Parliament agreed on Tuesday to grant to the Arab League office in Paris the diplomatic status, in a move it described as "strong signal" to re-launch cooperation between Europe and the Arab states. Regional-France, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Abdul Meguid: There are no reservations toward discussing sanctions on Iraq
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid stated that there are no reservations from any Arab country toward discussing the subject of Iraq among those that will be discussed by the Arab foreign ministers in Beirut. Regional, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Syria: Students peacefully protest Jospin's statements
Some 100 Syrian students at the French Cultural Center on Tuesday made a peaceful demonstration before the headquarters of the French embassy in Damascus. Syria-France, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Two US diplomats in al-Khartoum
Two US diplomats arrived on Tuesday in Khartoum to prepare for the visit of the US special envoy to Sudan, Harry Johnston. Sudan-USA, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Hamas delegation visits Damascus
The Jordanian weekly al-Majd has stated that a leading delegation from the Hamas movement led by the chairman of the its political bureau, Khaled Mashaal, has concluded a visit to Damascus during which it met with Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara and Minister of Information Muhammad Salman. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Abu Mazen: Israel is the reason behind failure of Ross' tour
Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), secretary of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and chairman of the supreme committee for the Palestinian - Israeli negotiations, asserted that Israel and not US peace process envoy Dennis Ross is to be blamed for the failure of Ross' tour because Israel wants to cancel or merge the third stage of its redeployment and because it will not stop the settlement. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 3/1/2000
- UN security council extends mandate of UN mission in Sahara
The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted on Tuesday a resolution extending for an additional three months, until next May 31, the mandate of MINURSO (UN mission supervising the referendum in the Sahara). Morocco-UN, Politics, 3/1/2000
- On the US gesture toward Libya
The US said on Monday it will not amend its policy towards Libya and denied, in particular, that the recent visit made by Libya's representative to the UN to Washington indicates a development in this regard. Libya-USA, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Meetings of joint Yemeni - Jordanian supreme committee commence
The meetings of the 8th session of the joint Yemeni - Jordanian supreme committee started today in Sanaa in the chairmanship of Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Karim al-Iryani and Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh. Yemen-Jordan, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Jordanian lawyers intend to head to Baghdad by air to break embargo on Iraq
Saleh El-Armouti, chief of the Jordanian lawyers, said yesterday that the council of the lawyers syndicate intends to hire an airplane to head to Baghdad this month to break the sanctions imposed on Iraq. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Morocco, Greece determined to upgrade cooperation
Morocco and Greece have voiced determination to upgrade bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields. Morocco-Greece, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Nine trade ministers participating in Cairo fair
Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid opened today the 33rd session of the Cairo International Fair which is being held in the fairs organization's grounds in Nasr city in Cairo on March 1 - 10. Egypt-International, Economics, 3/1/2000
- Lebanese prime minister to the Vatican today
Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss is heading today to the Vatican to meet tomorrow with Pope John Paul II and will also convene with Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano in the attendance of Secretary for Relations with States Jean-Louis Tauran. Lebanon-Vatican, Politics, 3/1/2000
- A Kuwaiti donation to Lebanon to rebuild power stations
Kuwait has decided to offer Lebanon US $15 million to repair what has been destroyed by the Israeli aggressive raids recently against Lebanon. Kuwait-Lebanon, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Head of FIS executive organization waiting for resolution concerning his return to Algeria
Algerian diplomatic sources said that Rabeh Kabeer, head of the executive organization of the prohibited Islamic Salvation Front said that he is waiting for "the green light" from Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to return home. Algeria, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Al-Rawabdeh defends his government's performance
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh has defended his government's performance despite the shocks it has faced one year after its formation. Jordan, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Pope John Paul II to visit Jordan and Palestine this month
Pope John Paul II of the Vatican will head to Jordan and Palestine during the current month to visit the holy places in shadow of Israeli protests against the visit because the Pope refuses to consider Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Jordan-Palestine-Vatican, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Moroccan-Egyptian coordination committee meets in Cairo Thursday
The Moroccan-Egyptian coordination and follow-up committee holds its first meeting in Cairo Thursday to prepare for the 4th session of the high joint commission scheduled for next May in the Egyptian capital. Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Central African official carries on contacts in Rabat
Central Africa's minister in charge of relations with the Arab states, Mamadou Bello, who is currently visiting Morocco, conferred with several cabinet members on the promotion of relations between the two countries. Morocco-Central African Republic, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Chilean parliamentary delegation visit Laayoune, meets officials in Rabat
A delegation from the Chilean chamber of representatives on Monday made a trip to the southern city of Laayoune. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Morocco calls Saudi investors to take advantage of gulf investment forum
Morocco invited Saudi businessmen to take advantage of the gulf investment and partnership forum to be held in Casablanca next May 2-4. Saudi Arabia-Morocco, Economics, 3/1/2000
- Egypt to host second conference for COMESA next year
The first regional economic conference of the joint markets for countries of eastern and southern Africa, COMESA 2000, concluded its work yesterday in Cairo by agreeing on convening a periodic conference for Comessa every year at the same time. Egypt, Economics, 3/1/2000
- Jordan denies conveying chemical materials to Kuwait through its land
The Jordanian Ministry of Interior denied yesterday press reports concerning the discovery of chemical materials in two trucks that entered Kuwait through Jordan, asserting that these materials were nothing but insecticides. Jordan-Kuwait, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Arab states against the erection of Turkish dam on the Tigris
The Turkish daily " Radical" said on Tuesday that Syria, backed by Jordan and Iraq is making efforts to prevent the construction of Aleso dam which Turkey is planning to build on the Tigris river in the southeastern part of Turkey. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Israel continues aggressions against Lebanon
The Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday continued to attack areas adjacent to the occupied part of south Lebanon and the western Bekaa. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 3/1/2000
- Former resisters of southern regions reject UN identification results
Former resisters and members of the liberation army of the southern provinces denounced the results of the UN identification in the Sahara as irregular and unfair to a large number of persons from the region. Morocco, Politics, 3/1/2000
- Environmental groups organize demonstration against first nuclear electricity station in Turkey
Hundreds of members of environmental groups in Turkey organized a demonstration in the largest square in Istanbul yesterday to urge the government not to go on with its project to establish the first nuclear reactor for producing electrical power in Turkey. Turkey, Local, 3/1/2000
- Opening of the Zoo at Giza
The Zoo at Giza is one of the most beautiful in the world and the the most densely inhabited by the various animal and plant species. Egypt, Culture, 3/1/2000
- Per capita income in Egypt increases by 88% in 9 years
It is a source of pride that the per capita income has increased in Egypt by 88% in nine years. I don't think any country has reported such a success, which is basically attributed to the keenness of President Hosni Mubarak pursue economic reforms. Egypt, Economics, 3/1/2000
- Iranian military court addresses charges against police chairman and 12 officers
The Iranian military court started yesterday hearing testimonies of the students in case of the police member's breaking into university housing during last July due to which one person was killed and another 200 were injured. Iran, Judicial, 3/1/2000
Short Takes
- Omani Foreign Minister Youssef Bin Alawi has stated that a team from the Arab states in the Gulf that is assigned to settle the question of the three islands under dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Iran will hold talks in Tehran at a later time. Go
- The month long Dubai Shopping Festival 2000 starts today in the United Arab Emirates, Khaleej Times reported. Go
- Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, second vice-president of the ministers' council, minister of defense and aviation and general inspector of the Saudi armed forces on Tuesday wound up a private visit to Morocco. Earlier in the day, Prince Sultan had been received by King Mohammed VI. Go
- The Jordanian al-Majd paper said, according to well-informed diplomatic sources in Amman, that the Israeli embassy in Amman had tried repeatedly to contact by telephone the Yemeni ambassador in Amman, Hassan al-Louzi. Go
- Iraq asserted on Monday its refusal to deal with Arab companies which deal with Israel. This came during a meeting of the Iraqi government headed by the Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. Go
- Speaker of the Italian Senate, Nicola Mancino, is expected in Morocco Saturday on a three-day visit. Go
- Bahraini Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, who is also commander in chief of the Bahrain Defense Forces, met yesterday in London with British Defense Secretary Geoffrey Hoon to discuss joint cooperation, especially in military areas, Gulf Daily News reported. Go
- King Abdullah II of Jordan asserted his intent to provide all the necessary means for investments in software and the computer sector, following his meeting with Michael Lacombe, deputy chairman of the Microsoft company for the Middle East, Europe and Africa, who is visiting Jordan as Bill Gates' delegate according to Gates' promise to the Jordanian monarch at the Davos meeting last month. Go
- King Mohammed VI on Tuesday received in Marrakesh the new coach of Morocco's national football team, Henrie Kasperzack, a Polish-born French national, who was hired by the Moroccan Football Federation for a four-year contract. Kasperzack, 54, was chosen from a list of several renowned coaches, who applied for the post. He will be paid a $ 20,000 monthly salary. Go
- Thirty five people died and nine others were injured this Wednesday when a train collided with a cart near the northern Moroccan town of Ksar El-Kebir. Go
- Israel's minister of trade and industry Ran Cohen started on Tuesday an official visit to the Chinese capital Beijing which will last six days aiming, according to the Israeli sources, at strengthening trade and economic cooperation between Israel and China. Go
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