Today's Headlines
- Syrian parliamentary elections are in March
The Syrian Official news Agency SANA announced that the next legislative elections will be held in Syria on March 2nd according to a decree issued yesterday by President Bashar al-Assad. Syria, Politics, 1/16/2003
- Moussa: Libya gives up on withdrawing from the Arab League
The secretary general of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa said yesterday that Libya does no want anymore to withdraw from the Arab League. Libya-Regional, Politics, 1/16/2003
- Russian president meets with Khaddam
Syria's Vice President, Abdul Halim Khaddam, stressed yesterday that "reviving the Syrian-Russian relations" is the main issue to be discussed with President Vladimir Putin. Syria-Russia, Politics, 1/16/2003
- Sudanese negotiations in Kenya stumble; Khartoum did not send delegation
The Sudanese government stuck to its position concerning the agenda of peace negotiations which were due to be resumed yesterday in Kenya, by refusing demands raised by the the rebels and the mediators on negotiating on the future of the three "margined" areas, namely al-Nouba, Eibi and the south of the Blue Nile. This position by the Sudanese government raised speculation that the session was postponed indefinitely. Sudan, Politics, 1/16/2003
- Mubarak: Egyptian, Syrian, Saudi continued coordination for solution to Iraqi issue
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt stressed that there is continued coordination and consultation between Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia with the aim of strengthening Arab efforts to reach a peaceful solution for the Iraqi issue. He warned against the drastic consequences of war against Iraq on all countries of the region and the world. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 1/16/2003
- L'Inter: Air Senegal, top sub-saharan airliner, Senegalese president says
"When elected at the presidency of state, I was ready to sell Air Senegal at a symbolic Franc to get rid of it as a matter of fact, until I met the Moroccans and we both decided to launch this company that's today the top Sub-Saharan airliner," said Wade Morocco-Senegal, Economics, 1/16/2003
- UN envoy for Sahara says he delivered new initiative for political settlement of Sahara issue
It is now clear that when Algeria and Spain keep on kindling this artificial conflict, they are, in fact, delaying a whole package of multilateral progress, the only factor likely to put the Mediterranean region on the track of growth, development and prosperity. Since the time when Baker was entrusted with this issue, we will not dare to say that he does not know the reality of facts, the paper concludes. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 1/16/2003
- Le Point: Al-Ammari: Algeria is under an embargo for terrorism fighting means
The Algerian army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Muhammad al-Ammari said, in an interview with the French magazine Le Point, that his country is subjected to an "actual embargo for terrorism fighting means," noting that there is "a problem" in its relations with the French politicians. He also indicated the possibility of Algeria's request for an asylum seeking request from the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Algeria-France, Politics, 1/16/2003
- Iraqi opposition party differences with Washington
The Higher Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq has announced it did not take part in the talks that took place in the White House on January 14 between several Iraqi opposition organizations and the envoy of the US President Zalman Khalil Zad because the talks were not that necessary or important and the council did not get a proper invitation. Iraq-USA, Politics, 1/16/2003
- Three Palestinians shot, Israel demolish homes
The occupied Arab territories yesterday witnessed another day of Israeli killing, destruction and confiscation of more lands. Three Palestinians were killed yesterday by the Israeli forces. They are Hazaa Shedid, a student at a school in Ar'ar village, Muhey eddine Hamra ( 16 year old) from Toulkarem, and Yahya Rakkana (44 years old) from Qabatya. Palestine-Israel, Military, 1/16/2003
- Morocco okays building of Roche lab in Casablanca
The Moroccan Health department has okayed the building in Casablanca of a laboratory by the World-famed Roche company. Morocco, Business, 1/16/2003
- Morocco moves to liberalize Tobacco sector
The Moroccan House of Representatives (lower chamber of parliament) on Tuesday passed a draft bill for the liberalization of the tobacco sector. Morocco, Economics, 1/16/2003
Short Takes
- Jordan has exempted goods of the United Arab Emirates from customs fees and other taxes. The general customs directorate in Jordan announced in a statement that in line with the free trade agreement signed between the two states, exchanged commodities and goods of national origin between Jordan and the UAE has become exempted from customs fees and taxes as from the beginning of 2003. Go
- A Syrian Foreign Syrian Ministry Spokesman announced yesterday the following: The visits between the Syrian and Iranian officials are going on at all levels and this is natural due the standing cordial and distinguished relations between the two countries. But what some media reports announced lately about an official visit to paid by President Bashar al-Assad to Tehran were incorrect. Notwithstanding that coordination and cooperation are on going on all domains and issues. Go
- Foreign Minister, Farouk Al-Shara yesterday received a phone call from the French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin where viewpoints were exchanged regarding the latest developments in the region particularly Iraq and the agenda of Security Council's forthcoming meeting of January 20th in New York on the foreign ministers levels. Go
- Egypt on Wednesday denied reports to the effect that Cairo would host a conference for the Arab and Islamic foreign ministers, including Iran and Turkey, to discuss the Iraqi crisis. And that the Iraqi envoy to Cairo issue is shelved for the time being. Go
- A Woman and Education Forum will be held in Damascus during (1-3 February 2003) as part of the women celebration of the Arab Woman Day. In this regard, heads of different participating committees on Wednesday held a press conference in Damascus yesterday, attended by different Arab and foreign media and news agencies reporters where the light was shed on the importance of such a forum and the issues to be discussed. Go
- An opposition Yemeni source said that it does not rule out that the killing of the assistant secretary general of the ruling People's Congress Party and member of the Shoura council Yahya al-Mutawakkil "resulted from a terrorist act." Go
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