Today's Headlines
- Hizbullah bomb attack wounds three Israelis
The Hizbullah guerrilla group claimed responsibility for the attack in the early morning hours, saying its fighters detonated the bomb, killing or wounding all members of an Israeli patrol. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 12/24/1997
- Egyptian - Qatari problems
Egyptian-Qatari relations have started to worsen again after a seeming improvement was made through a Saudi-brokered reconciliation last month. Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 12/24/1997
- Police disrupt daily businesses in Jerusalem's old city
Palestinian shop owners in the Old City of Jerusalem complained of an exaggerated presence of Israeli soldiers and border police patrols next to their premises and said such a presence has deterred potential customers from going into their shops. Palestine, Local, 12/24/1997
- Joint Gulf-Iranian efforts to promote bilateral relations
Iran on Tuesday welcomed the call advocated by leaders of the GCC states during their recent summit in Kuwait for building trust with Tehran, adding that such a process is the only guarantee to ensure stability in the region. Iran-Gulf, Politics, 12/24/1997
- Somali groups reconciled in Cairo
Warring Somali groups on Monday signed a reconciliation agreement at Arab League headquarters in Cairo, including rebuilding the country's institutions which were destroyed by clan fighting. North Africa, Politics, 12/24/1997
- Growth rate projected at 5.3% in Jordan
Hafez also expected that the Jordanian trade deficit will decrease by about 37 million dinars to 1.726 billion in 1998. Jordan, Economics, 12/24/1997
- Palestinian savings abroad worth $30 billion
Abu Eissa ruled out the possibility that the Palestinian pound will be issued at the present time as the current circumstances are not favorable for such an action. Palestine, Economics, 12/24/1997
- Gulf Cooperation Council countries to develop oil refineries
The sources expected that the GCC countries will raise their oil production to 4 million barrels a day by the year 2007 compared to 2.1 million barrel a day in 1996, an increase of about 90%. Gulf, Economics, 12/24/1997
- Egypt and Iran warn Ankara against alliance consequences
Egypt and Iran sent last week warning letters to Ankara urging the Turkish government to cease cooperation with Israel, "otherwise the headquarters of the Organization of the eight Islamic countries will be moved from Istanbul to Cairo or Tehran." Turkey-Regional, International, 12/24/1997
- Kuwait: Gulf-Iranian relations are good
The GCC Summit crystallized the method of reacting and responding to Iranian initiatives. Kuwait, Politics, 12/24/1997
- Egypt refuses to sell gas to Israel
The Egyptian stance got stronger after Egypt received a Turkish request to import Egyptian gas, meaning there is no surplus gas. Egypt-Turkey, Economics, 12/24/1997
- Sudanese envoy delivers message to Iranian president
The speaker of the Sudanese Parliament criticized the US strongly and said that the Sudanese opposition is carrying out a conspiracy masterminded by the US to divide Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 12/24/1997
- Hrawi: local polls are great event
Lebanese President Elias Hrawi described the decision endorsed by the Lebanese parliament to pass a municipal elections bill and the process of local polls as "a big event and a great achievement" Lebanon, Politics, 12/24/1997
- Moroccan-French cooperation in the electricity field
The Europe-Arab Moroccan Pipeline which transfers the Algerian gas to Spain through Morocco will provide the station with its power needs. Morocco, Economics, 12/24/1997
Short Takes
- A Moroccan court is expected to rule on an Israeli accused of smuggling 95 pounds of cocaine bound for Europe, CNN reported. Go
- Lebanese citizen Abbas Ghazzeh was killed in Israeli shelling in south Lebanon Wednesday, Nando Times reported. Go
- Iraqis demonstrated outside Iran's embassy in Baghdad to protest Iran's reported prevention supplies of a Russian plane from reaching Iraq, Fox News reported. Iran cited UN Sanctions as reason for delay. Go
- Syrian vice-president Abdul Halim Khaddam is to travel to Lebanon before the end of 1997 for a two-day private visit, Lebanese daily al Nahar reported Wednesday. Go
- Famed Syrian singer Fahd Ballan died today in a hospital in Suwayda at the age of 64. Preliminary indications are that he may have died from a stroke. Go
- Pakistan has asked Saudi Arabia to employ more of its nationals to help improve Pakistani foreign exchange reserves, Khaleej Times reported. Go
- Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Kamal Kharrazi Tuesday said that Egypt and Iran were getting closer and hoped that sometime in the near future full diplomatic relations between Cairo and Tehran would be restored, IRNA reported. Go
- An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that three disputed Gulf islands will remain "Iranian forever," but welcomed bilateral talks with the UAE, the Bahrain Tribune reported. Go
- Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Kamal Kharrazi said, "It is up to the Americans if they are interested in changing their policy towards Iran or not. We are ready to work with all nations, provided they are ready to establish their relations with us based on mutual respect," IRNA reported. Go
- The Palestinian Legislature voted to suspend activity for one week to protest President Yasser Arafat's failure to sign most of its 1997 legislation, Los Angeles Times reported. Go
- Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani of Qatar has stressed his country's interest in maintaining good relations with Syria. Go
- The US State Department on Tuesday announced that the US Middle East specialist Dennis Ross will head for the region in January 1998 in a bid to help achieve progress in the peace process, AFP reported. Go
- At the request of the Lebanon's economic ministery an agreement was reached with the Lebanese side to organize an exposition for Lebanese products in Damascus in coordination with the Syrian Gota establishment. The Syrian Ministry of Economy approved the agreement. Go
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