Today's Headlines
- Oman discloses extremists group that includes remarkable figures
The authority in Oman disclosed the detention of scores, who were described by diplomatic sources as influential persons, accused of being members in an extremist Islamic trend to restore a ruling regime based on Imam hierarchy. A system which was abandoned in 1959. Oman, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Sezer describes talks with president al-Assad as fruitful; underlines Syria's importance in the region
Turkish President Ahmed Necedet Sezer described Thursday talks with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad as "fruitful" where both sides discussed historic ties between Syria and Turkey as well as regional issues. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Lahoud calls for parliamentary consultations to nominate the prime minister
The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud called for carrying out parliamentary consultations today, Friday, in order to nominate a new prime minister designated to form a government to lead the country into parliamentary elections and to supervise them. Lebanon, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Lebanese opposition unify ranks against postponing the elections
The Lebanese opposition on Thursday evening held a meeting to take a unified stand in confrontation of what parliamentarian Naela Mu'awad described as attempts made by the authority to destroy the elections. She indicated that the opposition might also nominate another candidate for presiding over the government. She said that streets sit-ins are to be made. Lebanon, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Michael Aoun: I can convince Hizbullah to lay down weapons
The Lebanese Lt. Gen. Michael Aoun, who lives in exile, said he intends to return back to Lebanon in May and that he can convince Hizbullah to dismantle its weapons in implementation of UN Security Council resolution and the demands of the USA. Lebanon, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Crown prince Abdullah: Lebanon is loved by all, no difference between it and Syria
The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz said in conclusion of an official visit to Paris that lasted for two days that Lebanon is "beloved by all," considering that there is no difference between it and Syria. Saudi Arabia-Lebanon, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Lmrabet sued by MAP correspondents in Madrid for slandering
Ali Lmrabet, a Moroccan-French journalist living in Spain, has been sued by two correspondents of Morocco's state-owned new agency "Maghreb Arab Press" (MAP) in Madrid for slandering, legal sources revealed in Madrid Wednesday. Morocco, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Pope Shenouda lashes out at Jewish extremists threats to Aqsa Mosque
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese criticized threats by Jewish extremists to attack Al Aqsa Mosque, saying that they represented a clear setback to the latest Middle East peace efforts. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Muslim Brothers in Egypt seek to organize a massive demonstration in Cairo
The deputy for the General Guide of the banned Ikhwan al-Muslimin (Muslim Bothers) group in Egypt, Muhammad Habib, said that his group is making negotiations with the Egyptian authorities over plan to organize a massive demonstration in Cairo in rejection of foreign pressures that aim at forcing internal reform for the sake of change. Egypt, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Syrian forces evacuate last tanks position in the Bekaa Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Syria's Defense minister: We seriously implements UN resolutions
Syria's Defense Minister Lieu. Gen. Hasan Turkmani on Thursday criticized the United Nations for not condemning the military superpower policies, which unilaterally and selectively apply pressure on other countries. Syria-UN, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Egyptian statesman calls on washington to be positive to Syria
Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher called on Thursday the United States to adopt a positive stance towards Syria praising Syria's decision to pull out from Lebanon. Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Berri; Moeller discuss latest developments
The Mufti, said in a statement that wars in Lebanon have gone without return, stressing Lebanon is the land of co-existence, amity and unity. Lebanon-Denmark, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Lebanese personalities reject foreign interference, stress the importance of the Taif accord
Lebanese Interior Minister resignate Sulaiman Franjeh stressed Thursday attachment to the Lebanese national line, calling for enhancing national unity in order to form a new Lebanese government to pave the way for establishing the election. Lebanon, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Rice sees growing realm of political possibilities in the Middle East
The United States, through its efforts to encourage democratic reforms in the Middle East, is opening "the realm of the possible" to the people of the region, according to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Iraqi leaders intent on drafting constitution, Zoellick says
US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick says the leaders of the Iraqi transitional government are committed to advancing the political process to meet the August 15 deadline for drafting a new constitution. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Scores of Iraqis killed, injured; Zarqawi claims responsibility for twin explosions
In a statement on the Internet, al-Jihad Qaida in Bilad al-Rafeydeen claimed responsibility for the blowing up of two booby trapped car in Baghdad on Thursday that resulted in killing 18 and injuring other 40, most of them members of the Iraqi police. Iraq, Military, 4/15/2005
- Various attacks in Iraq, mass grave discovered
a new mass grave including the remains of more than 20 Iraqis was found near al-Nasereyah city to the south of Baghdad and they were believed to be executed under the rule of Saddam Hussein Iraq, Military, 4/15/2005
- On the withdrawal of the British forces from Iraq
The British foreign office secretary Jack Straw said that Britain might start withdrawal of its forces from Iraq next year, but Straw ruled out in press statements to the Financial Times the reduction of number of the British forces in Iraq estimated at 7,000 soldiers by the end of the current year. Iraq-UK, Politics, 4/15/2005
- 15 persons killed, injured in acts of violence in Algeria
At least 5 Algerians were killed and other ten injured in new acts of violence by what were described by the Algerian dailies as extremist Islamic groups, despite the fact that a general pardon is expected before the end of the current year in this regard. Algeria, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Japan seeks Morocco's support for permanent seat in UN Security Council
Japan is currently seeking Morocco's support to obtain a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. Morocco-Japan, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Morocco's FTA promotion in US, 'successful', diplomat
Morocco's ambassador to Washington, Aziz Mekouar has described as "successful" the recent tour in the United States by a Moroccan delegation made up of officials and businessmen to promote the free trade agreement (FTA) signed in 2004 between the two countries. Morocco-USA, Economics, 4/15/2005
- Reforms likely to change International Monetary Fund, U.S. says
Reform proposals aimed at making the International Monetary Fund (IMF) better able to face modern financial challenges would substantially change the way the so-called lender of last resort operates, a U.S. Treasury Department official says. Regional-USA, Economics, 4/15/2005
- Arab - Chinese businessmen conference wraps up deliberations
The participants in the Conference of Arab-Chinese Businessmen Cooperation Forum on Thursday stressed at the end of their deliberations the importance of cooperation between the Arab states and China in the field of trade and economy in the interest of both sides. Regional-China, Economics, 4/15/2005
- United States remains committed to diplomacy on Iran's nuclear ambitions
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in an interview on Wednesday with the Wall Street Journal that she does not expect Iran to remain immune to the changes that are taking place in the Middle East, and threatened Iran with being referred to the U.N. Security Council over the nuclear differences in points of view. Iran-USA, Politics, 4/15/2005
- Quebec to select over 9,000 candidates to legal emigration in 2005
The Province of Quebec, Canada, will select between 9,300 to 9,600 candidates to legal emigration from the North African region of the Maghreb in 2005, announced, in Montreal Wednesday, officials of the Quebec Ministry of Immigration. Maghreb-Canada, Local, 4/15/2005
Short Takes
- President Hosni received a telephone call yesterday from Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika. Go
- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received Thursday Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal kharrazi and the accompanying delegation. Go
- US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced the appointment of outgoing World Bank President James Wolfensohn to serve as special envoy on behalf of the Middle East Quartet to help coordinate Israel’s disengagement from Gaza and several West Bank settlements. Go
- Syria's Minister of Electricity Muneib Saem al-Dahr on Thursday underlined the importance for Arab states to make use of electrical linkage projects, describing the electrical linkage among Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria as a successful experiment. Go
- Iranian religious seminaries (Houzeh) in the city of Qom condemned Thursday "threats by Zionist extremists to break into al-Aqsa mosque" saying "this reflects the furious spirits of the Zionists as well as their Israeli government which is supporting them." Go
- Egypt's Minister of Awkaf (Religious Endowments) Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzouq said that the dialogue on all levels became necessity to solve the problems facing the Islamic world. His speech came in the end of session of the preparatory workshop to the Christian-Islamic dialogue summit which is being held in Senegal. Go
- Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pardoned 7,179 prisoners, including 26 foreigners, whose nationalities were not revealed, on the occasion of the circumcision, Thursday in Fez, of Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. Go
- About 36 writers and intellectuals from Czech, Poland, Austria and Spain sent a letter to the European Parliament calling for work to end struggles, tension, expansion and settlement in the world. Go
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