Arabic News Front Page for 5/9/2001

Today's Headlines

• Agadir declaration on free trade zone, pragmatic action, signatory countries say
  The Agadir Declaration setting up a free trade zone between Arab-Mediterranean countries that was signed Tuesday by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia is a pragmatic action, underlain by a genuine political will. It is not a declaration on intent. Regional, Economics, 5/9/2001
• Agadir declaration on free trade zone, statement by royal palace spokesman
  "What has been achieved today in Agadir is a first step towards setting up the Great Arab Free Trade zone. and establishing an Arab strong and complementary economic space," the spokesman said. Morocco-Regional, Economics, 5/9/2001
• Egypt-Libya to promote trade cooperation
  "The two sides are seeking to up their trade exchange volume to $500 million in 2005," said the Egyptian ambassador. Libya-Egypt, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Egyptian-Libyan committee probes investment, trade cooperation
  "Libyan Revolution Leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi received a message from President Hosni Mubarak," Information Minister Safwat El-Sherif said late Tuesday. Egypt-Libya, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Syrian foreign ministry summons US, French ambassadors on Israeli bloody practices
  A Syrian official spokesman said on Tuesday that Syria expresses its astonishment at what is included in the statement of the US state department's spokesman concerning the speech made by President Bashar al-Assad upon receiving His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Mubarak: the aggression of 1967 will not be repeated
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has stressed his country's total backing to the Syrian just and unwavering position provides for Israel's complete pullout from the Golan up to June 4, 1967 border lines. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Saudi Arabia to reduce foreign labor
  The Saudi ministry of labor and social affairs has called for reducing number of the labor force in the Saudi labor force coming from foreign countries at an average of 150,000 workers per year. Saudi Arabia, Economics, 5/9/2001
• Algeria calls for inter-Maghreban coordination, upbeat as to future of relations with Morocco
  Algeria on Tuesday called for more coordination among the five members of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) to consolidate their negotiating position with the European Union. Algeria-Maghreb, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Arab League prepares to receive its new secretary general
  Preparations are underway at the Arab League (AL) to receive Mr Amr Moussa, the new secretary general of the Arab League. Regional, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Al-Assad to visit Muscat on Saturday
  According to the London- based al-Hayat daily issued on Wednesday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will arrive in Muscat on Saturday in an official visit to Oman that will last for several days. Syria-Oman, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Continued Israeli threats against the Palestinians Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Arafat freezes visit to Damascus
  The Qatari daily al-Watan issued on Tuesday quoted a high ranking Palestinian source, refused to be identified as saying that Yasser Arafat has at the meantime frozen his visit to Syria. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Egypt rules out peace-saving summit in Sharm El-Sheikh
  "The Israeli rejection of the Egyptian-Jordanian peace initiative is casting dark shadows on the future of the entire peace process," added Moussa Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Nigerian envoy arrives in Sudan
  Former Nigerian President Ibrahim Bananjeida arrived in Khartoum on Monday evening delegated by President of Nigeria in the framework of the Nigerian efforts aiming at achieving peace in Sudan. He is accompanied by the Nigerian foreign minister. Sudan-Nigeria, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Mubarak rallies world support Egyptian-Jordanian initiative
  Terming the current Middle East situation as very difficult, the Dutch Foreign Minister said after talks with President Mubarak that broad international participation was the most important issue now. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Al-Turabi's imprisonment term extended Sudan, Politics, 5/9/2001
• Ten Arab states call for end to Israeli aggressions against palestinians
  The Israeli aggression targets all Palestinian economic and productive structures, the communique said before denouncing the blockade imposed on Palestinian cities, countryside and camps in a bid to cripple economic activity in the autonomous territories Palestine-Regional, Politics, 5/9/2001
• US condemns Israeli attempts to storm West Bank towns
  The US administration yesterday condemned Israeli attempt to storm the Palestinian territories. The State Department said that such Israeli attempts blow up efforts exerted to defuse crisis, and contain the violence. Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/9/2001
• A ministerial meeting for 10 Arab states in Baghdad
  The council of the Arab economic unity has announced that the Arab ministers of the economy, members of the council will hold their next meeting in Baghdad on June 6. Regional, Economics, 5/9/2001
• Mrs. Mubarak lauds Alexandria Library as Egypt's 'Fourth Pyramid'
  She praised the library as a lighthouse and a crucible of cultures and civilizations and not a library in the ordinary sense. During a meeting with members of the League of Egyptian diplomats' wives held Tuesday at the Diplomatic Club. Egypt, Local, 5/9/2001
• The Economist: Egyptian economy will edge up to 5.6 per cent in 2002
  The Economist has recently anticipated that the growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Egypt will edge up to 5.6 per cent in year 2002, after scoring 4.8 per cent in 2001. Egypt, Economics, 5/9/2001
• New university to focus on engineering, computers and information systems
  He said the new university will keep away from conventional studies and will focus on the fields of engineering, technology, computers, information systems, and hotel management and other modern specializations needed by Egypt. Egypt, Education, 5/9/2001

Short Takes

• Morocco's King Mohammed VI received this Tuesday a message from President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. The message was handed over to the king by Egyptian foreign minister, Amr Moussa. Go
• Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday received a telephone call from President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. The two leaders discussed the current condition in the region and bilateral relations between Syria and Egypt. Go
• The first instance court of Nador (northern Morocco) sentenced four bank executives to one year and two years and a half in jail for fund embezzlement charges. Other charges against the guilty executives include swindling and abuse of confidence, Mohamed Berrada, civil party lawyer, said in a release. Go
• Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday issued the decree no 8 for the year 2001, provides for increasing the minimal limit exempted from income tax on salaries and wages, to one thousand Syrian Pounds per month. The said decree will be effective as of the first day of the next month June. Go
• The spokesman for the Holy See has stated " concerning the statements made by Pope John Paul II in the Golan ( during his visit to Quneitra) on the bad news of Gaza victims ( especially the killing of the Palestinian baby Iman hejjo of 4 month old) that the Pope knew of the event a little before heading for the Golan and he was not able to ignore these events." Monte Carlo radio quoted the spokesman as saying that the Pope was not subject to any pressure to visit the liberated city of Quneitra, which is the symbol of destruction by the Israeli forces which occupy the Golan.. Go
• The Holy See, Pope John Paul II on Tuesday at (11 a.m.) Damascus local time left Syria concluding a four-day historical visit to the country. he was seen off at the Damascus airport by President Bashar al-Assad. The Pope was also seen off by vice Presidents Khaddam and Masharqa, the prime minister Muhammad Miro,, the Cabinet ministers, the foreign minister, the Syrian ambassador to the Vatican and the Papal Nuncio in Damascus. Go
• Morocco's King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, received Tuesday at the Royal Palace in Agadir Youssef Ouadraogo, foreign minister of Burkina Faso and envoy of the Burkinabe President to the sovereign. Go
• The ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Tuesday received a message from the British Prime minister Tony Blair. The message pertains to strengthening and developing relations and expanding volume of co-operation between the two countries. Go
• The first stage of the Shura Council Mid-term elections starts next Wednesday in eight governorates.Assistant Secretary-General of National Democratic Party (NDP) Kamal Al-Shazly said that 312 MPs had been dismissed frim the NDP for running against the will of NDP. Go
• Chief of Arab Aviation companies taking part in the Arab Air Transport Federations' General Assembly meeting showed sympathy to the EgyptAir stand's regarding its plane crash off US coasts more than two years ago, said EgyptAir Chief Mohammad Fahim Rayan. Go

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