Today's Headlines
- An independent bloc inside the Syrian PA
The Jordanian weekly al-Hilal said in its Tuesday's issue that 21 members of the People's Assembly (PA) in Syria had announced the formation of an independent bloc inside the PA, and that this was the first transformation of its kind in Syria since the foundation of the Syrian PA in 1970. Syria, Politics, 1/3/2001
- 49 state-owned companies to be privatized
The Privatization Committee decided yesterday under Prime Minister Atef Ebeid to offer 49 companies for privatization. Egypt, Economics, 1/3/2001
- Arab states are called on to maintain economic blocs
The secretary general of the Arab economic unity council Ahmad Jweili has warned against marginalizing the Arab economy during the coming phase amid the international blocs and the GATT agreement. He called for the need to be ready to withstand these blocs. Regional, Economics, 1/3/2001
- Economic group discuss Egypt - Iraq free trade area
The Cabinet Economic Ministerial Group under Prime Minister Atef Ebeid discussed on Sunday the establishment of a Free Trade Area (FTA) with Iraq and a protocol related procedural rules on trade liberalization between the two countries. Egypt-Iraq, Economics, 1/3/2001
- Egypt's economy grows up rapidly
A report released by the World Bank said Egypt scored the highest rates of economic growth compared to the Middle East and North Africa countries. Egypt, Economics, 1/3/2001
- Al-Assad gets message from Sultan Qabous, confers with Lebanese figures
President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday at 10 a.m. received Sheikh Hilal Bin Salem al-Sayabi, Oman's ambassador in Damascus, who handed him a message from Sultan Qabous Bin Saeed on issues of concern to Syria and Oman. Syria-Oman, Politics, 1/3/2001
- Egypt, USA contact for free trade agreement
The Egyptian Trade Representation Office in Washington held intensive contacts and meetings with US officials to discuss forging free trade agreement between the two countries. Egypt-USA, Economics, 1/3/2001
- Italian minister of interior in Damascus
Italian minister of the Interior Anzo Byanco and members of the accompanying delegation in a visit to Damascus which will last for four days. Syria-Italy, Politics, 1/3/2001
- Jordan, Iraq revive the railway line project
Jordanian officials announced that Jordan and Iraq are planning to revive the project of setting up a railway line linking the two countries. Jordan-Iraq, Economics, 1/3/2001
- Moussa tackle US proposals, Arab follow-up committee
Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa Tuesday discussed with Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Shaath the US peace proposals on a final Palestinian-Israeli agreement, the Palestinian views on them, and the Arab ministerial follow-up committee, to convene in Cairo on Thursday. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 1/3/2001
- Cabinet to review aspects of the government policy statement
In this statement, Ebeid will declare the government commitment to accomplish 31 achievements in the new year, with the aim of providing services to citizens, backing economic development, and maintaining subsidy for the limited income categories in achievement of the principle of observing the social dimension. Egypt, Politics, 1/3/2001
- Political leader against exploiting Berber issue for political ends
Mohand Laensar, leader of the Berber-Oriented Popular Movement party, said he was against the "political exploitation" of the Amazigh (Berber) issue. Morocco, Politics, 1/3/2001
- New explosion in Aden
One person was wounded when a bomb went off outside the offices of the Yemeni News Agency Sabaa in Aden on Tuesday Yemeni officials said that the wounded were hit by glass pieces resulting from the explosion. Yemen, Local, 1/3/2001
- Arafat heads for Washington
The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat left Gaza on Tuesday at dawn for Washington to meet with US President Bill Clinton. Palestine-USA, Politics, 1/3/2001
- Israel closes Rafah crossing, the Jordan valley
The Israeli occupation forces have closed the crossings in Rafah on the borders with Egypt and the Jordan river crossing between the West Bank and Jordan as from Monday evening. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/3/2001
- Iranian dailies criticize statements of the Gulf states
Iranian dailies issued on Tuesday criticized the statements of the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC recent summit held in Manama especially relating to its position concerning Iran towards the three islands under conflict and expressed regret over this position ( by the GCC member states) towards this issue. Gulf-Iran, Politics, 1/3/2001
- A new minister of the Interior in Qatar
The ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani on Tuesday in Doha appointed Sheikh Abdullah Khaled al-Thani as a minister of the Interior. A post which was used to be occupied by the prime minister besides his post as a prime minister. Qatar, Politics, 1/3/2001
- Arafat attends arab summit follow-up committee meeting
Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat, is expected in Cairo to attend on Thursday an extraordinary meeting of the follow-up committee, set up last October by the Arab summit. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 1/3/2001
- Minister briefs fishery professionals on Morocco-EU negotiations
Moroccan fishery minister, Said Chabaatou, met on Tuesday Moroccan fishery professionals over developments in the Morocco-EU negotiations. Morocco-European Union, Economics, 1/3/2001
- Iran reiterates refusal of UAE sovereignty on three islands
The Iranian minister of the Interior Abdul Wahid Mousawi Lari on Tuesday stressed his country's rejection to the demands raised by the United Arab Emirates UAE to have sovereignty over the three Gulf islands, noting that his country will not give an inch of its territories. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 1/3/2001
- Saddam Hussein admitted to hospital
Member of the higher council for the Islamic revolution in Iraq Bayan Jaber has stressed for the Kuwaiti daily al- Rai al- Am that Saddam Hussein was admitted at the Iraqi hospital of Ibn Sina, which is close to the presidential palace on Sunday evening after he had felt strong pains in his chest as he was taking part at "al-Aqsa call " military parade. Iraq, Local, 1/3/2001
- Minister: over 40 monuments need urgent action
Moroccan culture and communication minister, Mohamed Achaari, said Tuesday over 40 monument and historical sites need an urgent restoration action. Morocco, History, 1/3/2001
Short Takes
- Saudi crown prince and the chairman of the Saudi national guard Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Monday received a telephone call from Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Go
- The Moroccan ministry of social economy, small and medium enterprises announced it has licensed the creation of 28 new cooperatives in December. The total includes 20 agricultural cooperatives, 5 handicraft, 2 housing, one in fisheries and one of dairy products. Go
- The Jordanian Royal court has announced the death of princess Maqboula, aunt of the late Jordanian King Hussein, father of King Abdullah II on Monday at 83 year old. Go
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