Arab world counts 20 Million jobless

Unemployment affects some 20 million people in the Arab states, according to secretary general of the Council of the Arab Economic Union, Ahmed Jouweili.

The number of unemployed people may reach 50 millions in 10 years if the current economic situation persists, he warned in a statement to the Egyptian press.

Jouweili said achieving higher growth levels and curbing unemployment is tributary of an annual 3% to 7% rise in the Arab GDP, recalling how Arab investments increased since 1980, going from one to two billion dollars.

The executive called for promotion of inter-Arab investments and return of Arab capitals invested abroad. (MAP)IS

Moroccans stage sit in of solidarity with Palestinian, Iraqi prisoners

RABAT, June 17 (MAP)- Morocco's action group for support to Iraq and Palestine staged here Thursday a sit in of solidarity with the Palestinian and Iraqi prisoners, as well as with Palestinian militant Marwan Barghouti, who was handed down five sentences to life in jail by an Israeli military tribunal.

The protest was marked by the message sent to participants by Marwan's wife, Fadwa Barghouti, who hailed Morocco's support to the Palestinian people, saying the struggle must go on and calling for adherence to the international commission that will be set up shortly to defend the Palestinian figure, who has become a "leader of the Intifada."

"The (Israeli) occupation is going to end one day. It is dying," said Barghouti, 45, before the Tel Aviv court handed down consecutive life sentences.