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Today's Headlines
- Tunisian journalist undertakes hunger strike to protest being banned from writing
Tawfik Ben Berik, a Tunisian journalist, undertook yesterday continuing his hunger strike to protest the confiscation of his passport, the ban keeping him from writing or moving freely, as well as harassment of his family members. Tunisia, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Iranian defense minister arrives in Saudi Arabia
Iranian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Ali Shamakhani arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday for a visit which will last for several days, during which he will meet with King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Egypt keen on Sudan's Sovereignty
"Sudan's sovereignty over its soil should be maintained for the good of both Egypt and Sudan's national security," said Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. Egypt, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Al-Shara conveys a message from al-Assad to Lahoud
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Monday in Beirut at Baabda palace received Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. The meeting was attended by Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss and the chairman of the Syrian security intelligence for the Syrian forces in Lebanon, Lt. Gen. Ghazi Kanaan. Syria, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Emir of Kuwait confers with AL chief
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Monday in Kuwait received Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid. Kuwait, Politics, 4/25/2000 - King Abdullah meets Arafat
King Abdullah II of Jordan visited areas of the Palestinian Authority where he held discussions with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Jordan, Politics, 4/25/2000 - On the riots in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, Local, 4/25/2000
- Bin Ali criticized campaigns against the French information against Tunis
The Tunisian president Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali criticized the French media campaigns against Tunis due to the funeral of the late Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba and detaining Tunisian journalist Tawfik Bin Berik. Tunisia, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Iraqi attack against the Arab League
Iraq yesterday launched a severe attack against the Arab League due to its stance toward the Kuwaitis missing as a result of the Gulf War. Regional, Politics, 4/25/2000 - King Mohammed in Tangiers
King Mohammed VI arrived Monday in the northern Moroccan city of Tangiers, where he will dedicate several development projects. Morocco, Economics, 4/25/2000 - Civil servants' promotion would cost the state $700 million
Generalizing the internal promotion of civil servants, decided under an agreement reached Sunday between the government, two trade unions and employers will cost the state $700 million over three years, said the spokesman of the government, Khalid Alioua. Morocco, Economics, 4/25/2000 - Egyptian - Iranian relations improved
The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Hamid Rida Asifi, has announced that relations between Iran and Egypt have witnessed a notable increase in the economic and cultural areas. Egypt, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Saudi source says one person killed in Najran Saudi Arabia, Local, 4/25/2000
- Emir of Kuwait gets Russian message
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah received a message on Monday in Kuwait from Russian President Vladimir Putin pertaining to bilateral relations and means of developing them, as well as issues of mutual concern. Kuwait, Politics, 4/25/2000 - US congressman calls for lifting sanctions from Iraq
Member of the US Congress Tony Hall stressed on Monday that the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq have resulted in creating a humanitarian crisis. He called on the UN to alleviate these sanctions. Iraq, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Speaker of Chilean senate winds up visit to Morocco
The speaker of the Chilean Senate, Andares Zalvidar, wound up Monday a visit to Morocco during which he was received by King Mohammed VI. Morocco, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Opening Jeddah international tourism fair
Jeddah third international fair for tourism and entertainment cities 2000 started yesterday evening. Saudi Arabia, Economics, 4/25/2000 - On the telephone call between Chirac, Barak
French President Jacques Chirac on Monday made a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Regional, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Saudi Cabinet holds weekly meeting
Chaired by King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Cabinet held a meeting in Jeddah on Monday during which it listened to a report on the Middle East peace process, the obstacles it has been facing and unwillingness by Israel to achieve peace. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Gulf states - EU customs cooperation
An official in the United Arab Emirates on Monday in Dubai expressed the optimism of the Arab Gulf states toward achieving progress toward canceling the customs fees of 6% imposed by the European Union on its aluminum exports by the end of this summer. Gulf, Economics, 4/25/2000 - GCC secretary confers with UNRWA commissioner
The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Sheikh Jamil al-Hujeilan met at the GCC's premises on Monday in Riyadh with UNRWA's commissioner, Peter Hansen. Gulf, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Forum on Moroccan-Korean cooperation in 21st century opens in Rabat
A forum on "cooperation between Morocco and Korea in the 21st century," opened in Rabat Monday. Morocco, Politics, 4/25/2000 - Israel expels Lebanese children from the south, continues aggressions
The Israeli occupation forces on Sunday evening expelled Lebanese children Khalil, Khudr and Ala' Muhammad Nabaa from their occupied town, Shabaa, in the occupied part of south Lebanon. Lebanon, Military, 4/25/2000 - Tetuan wind power plant to cover 2% of Morocco's electricity consumption
The wind power plant under construction in the northern city of Tetuan will cover 2% of Morocco's annual electricity consumption. Morocco, Economics, 4/25/2000 - Arab towns organization holds 12th conference in Kuwait
The Arab towns organization opened in Kuwait on Monday its 12th conference. Regional, Economics, 4/25/2000 - Moroccan port staff resumes work Monday
Moroccan ports staff resumed on Monday their work following an agreement reached between the government, trade unions and the employers association, the Employment Ministry announced. Morocco, Economics, 4/25/2000
Short Takes
- Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa is to discuss tomorrow in Khartoum with his Sudanese counterpart, Mostafa Othman Ismael, the latest developments of efforts to solve the Sudanese crisis and means of revitalizing the joint Egyptian- Libyan initiative convene the collective discussion conference between the government and the Sudanese opposition as soon as possible. Go
- Tunisian sources told ArabicNews.com that the date of the upcoming Tunisian municipal elections is May 28 and that there is no intention to delay it. The sources said Tunisian President Zine El-Abdine Ben Ali gave his welcome to the existence of foreign supervisors to follow up on all stages of the elections without restriction by Tunisian governmental bodies. Go
- The Sudanese presidential elections are to be held in October, Sudanese satellite television said. Elections for the Sudanese parliament will be held at the same time. Go
- Gassem El-Kharafi, head of the Kuwaiti Ummah council, stated that his country is not upset toward the opening of embassies in Baghdad by Gulf states and the resumption of economic and diplomatic relations with Baghdad. Go
- Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, chief of Hizbullah, said that the anticipated Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon is not enough to persuade the resistance to stop their military operations against the occupation troops, adding that the armed struggle will continue as long as there are Lebanese rights denied by Israel. Nasrallah wondered about the destiny of prisoners from Hizbullah's followers inside Israeli prisons and the financial and humanitarian damage caused by Israeli aggressions on Lebanon. Go
- King Abdullah II of Jordan on Monday in Amman received the commander general of the US Central Command, Anthony Zinni. Areas of cooperation between Jordan and the US, especially in the military fields, were reviewed during the meeting. Go
- Bahraini Crown Prince Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad al-Khalifa arrived in Doha on Monday to hold talks with Qatari officials. The Gulf News Agency stated that Sheikh Salman will attend the meetings of the joint higher Qatari-Bahraini committee and will hold talks on regional and bilateral issues. Go
- The chairman of the Syrian Computer Society, Bashar al-Assad, on Monday evening opened the 6th exhibition for information and communications technology (Sham 2000). This event which will last until April 30 is held at the premises of the Damascus International Fair in Damascus. Go
- Kuwait's first deputy premier and the foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad, on Monday in Kuwait received a message from US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Go
- The official spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Hamid Rida Asifi, has denied what was stated by the US "Washington Post" report on secret talks and meetings between Iranian and Israeli officials on Iranian debts that should be paid by Israel and the question of the 13 Jews who are accused of spying for the Israeli intelligence. Go
- A group of Dutch education officials is currently on a visit to Morocco to get informed about Morocco's culture and customs. The trip, organized by the Moroccan-Dutch friendship foundation, will allow Dutch officials to better understand students of Moroccan origin who study in Dutch schools. Go
- The Mauritanian authorities arrested Ahmed Ould Dadah, chief of the opposition. The spokesman of his party, the Union of Democratic Forces-New Era (UFD/NE), said the police drove him from the headquarters of the party. Go
- French President Jacques Chirac on Monday in Paris made a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. The AP stressed that Chirac stressed during the telephone conversation the importance of the need to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on implementing UN resolutions concerned, SANA reported. Go
- Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Monday received a message from Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi. Al-Shara was given message on Monday evening during his meeting with the Iranian ambassador in Damascus, Hussein Sheikh al-Islam. Go
- China donated Morocco $60,000 to be used by the Mohammed V Foundation in social projects for the poor. The donation is a sign of support to the Moroccan foundation's efforts geared towards the fight against poverty, China's ambassador to Morocco, Mu Wen, said Monday while handing the donation to royal advisor and member of the foundation, Zoulikha Nasri. Go
- Admiral Charles S. Abbot, deputy commander in-chief of the US European Command, arrived in Rabat Monday for a three-day visit to Morocco. Go
- The newly appointed ambassador of Bangladesh, Mohammad Anwar Hossam, on Monday handed copies of his credentials to Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Morocco. Go
- The Kuwaiti Capital Investment company decided to establish Icolony in association with the US Internet Capital Group of a capital of $500 million to work as a holding company in the data technology, Internet and computer software fields. Go
- The volume of Egyptian exports to Iraq in the frame work of oil for food agreement since 1996 until now has reached $800 million, including $400 dollars in the last year alone as a group of Egyptian companies recently won contracts to provide Iraq with rice and plant oil worth $45 million in the seventh stage of the oil-for-food agreement that will begin next month. Go
- Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery near Bashiqah fired today at aircraft patrolling the northern Iraq "no-fly zone," the US European Command said, adding that "Coalition aircraft responded to the Iraqi attacks by dropping ordnance on elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system." Go
- Algeria recorded a $1.98 billion surplus in its trade balance for the first quarter of 2000, Algerian Press Agency (APS) reported. Go