Today's Headlines
- UN condemns Israeli settlement building as Cook angers Israelis
French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the visit "is to reaffirm positions that are well-known to the European Union concerning Israeli colonization on Palestinian territories, a colonization that we consider illegal since it is against international law, including East Jerusalem where we do not recognize Israeli sovereignty." Regional, International, 3/18/1998
- Saudi - Iranian economic committee established
Iran announced that it will form a joint economic committee with Saudi Arabia, as Dr. Kamal Kharazi, Iran's foreign minister said the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers will hold periodical meetings. Iran, Politics, 3/18/1998
- A snow storm hits Israeli government after Cook's political storm
The snowstorm that hit the Middle East and disrupted life in Palestine, Jordan and Israel was a good chance for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel his schedule for Wednesday and spend some time with his family. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/18/1998
- Egyptian-Syrian union , part 3: Euphoria of 1958 was never repeated
In Saudi Arabia, the king offered nearly 2 million to the Syrian intelligence chief, to assassinate Nasser, but he took the check to Gamal Abdul Nasser, causing a great political uproar that forced the Saudi king to yield authority to his brother, Prince Faisal, who was preparing to deal with Nasser and his ideas. Regional-Syria, History, 3/18/1998
- Kuwait: New government will form in the coming week
The sources confirmed that some ministers likely to be included in the new government expressed their desire not to participate in the government, most notably Naser El-Rodan, the deputy prime minister and minister of finance. Kuwait, Politics, 3/18/1998
- Syrian - Turkish realtions get boost at OIC's Doha conference
Turkey used the Islamic foreign ministers' conference in Doha to go a long way toward easing the tensions in its relations with Arab states, which were on the rise because of Turkey's military relationship with Israel. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/18/1998
- Four military contracts at US $5.3 billion signed at Abu Dhabi Exhibition
The United Arab Emirates - British defense agreement signed between the two countries in 1996 came into force as of Monday. United Arab Emirates, Military, 3/18/1998
- 1500 officers in the Israeli army sign a peace message
1500 high-ranking officers of the Israeli army signed a statement asking for progress in the peace process between Palestine and Israel and for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the West Bank. Israel, Politics, 3/18/1998
- Mubarak to receive Annan tomorrow
President Hosni Mubarak will receive UN Secretary General Kofi Annan tomorrow, to discuss many issues, including the Middle East peace process and the inspection agreement Annan recently negotiated between Iraq and the United Nations. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 3/18/1998
- US delegation to visit the West Sahara
An American delegation composed of officials from the Democratic Party will launch a visit to West Sahara at the invitation of Moroccan authorities. The delegation will meet with Moroccan Prime Minister Abdel Rahman El-Youssefi and Interior Minister Idris El-Basri. West Sahara, International, 3/18/1998
- Libya, Gambia Presidents meet on bilateral relations
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh said the meeting will strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and deepen mutual understanding of regional and international issues for arriving at a clear common vision. Libya, Politics, 3/18/1998
- Iraq pilgrims to fly Egypt Air
Egypt Air corporation has agreed to transmit Iraqi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform the pilgrimage this year. Iraq, Economics, 3/18/1998
- King Hussein meets with heads of US-Jewish organizations
King Hussein of Jordan called upon US Jews to take part in giving a push forward to the Middle East peace process. Jordan, Politics, 3/18/1998
- A summit for Gulf bankers in Dubai
The summit, which will be held in Dubai on April 20, will tackle important issues facing the banking sector in the Gulf region, including financing guidance, legislative departments, developing financial markets and the vital role of information technology in banking. Gulf, Economics, 3/18/1998
- Yemeni president asserts conspiracy against Arab states
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has asserted that a conspiracy is underway against Arabs with Israel in the forefront as the greatest enemy of the Arab nation. Regional-Yemen, Politics, 3/18/1998
Short Takes
- Saudi Arabia has instituted new safety measure, including a ban on gas fuel canisters after a deadly fire last year, for pilgrims performing the Haj, Bahrain Tribune reported. Go
- South Lebanon Army commander Antoine Lahd opposed a suggested unilateral Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon, Bahrain Tribune reported. Go
- The Israeli Cabinet will debate two pullout plans for south Lebanon, one submitted by Infrastructure Minister Ariel Sharon and one by Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai, Haaretz reported. Go
- Limitations supported by the US on a proposed international tribunal would rule out a war crimes trial for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein as called for by the US Congress last week, Fox News reported. Go
- Palestine and Israel have tentatively agreed to meet in Switzerland to discuss Israeli settlements, Fox News reported. Go
- Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf stressed the importance of the opposition of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to terrorism, since the practitioners of terrorism often make use of the Islamic religion as a cover for their activities. Go
- It was decided to start the executive steps to establish oil pipeline between Tobrok in Libya and Alexandria in Egypt at a cost of $300 million. Hamdi El-Banbi, the Egyptian minister of petroleum, said that the new line aims at transferring 150,000 barrels daily from Libyan petroleum fields to Egyptian refineries and that this pipeline will be stretch over 650 kilometers. Go
- The US embassy in Beruit announced the inauguration of a bureau providing consular services in Okar for US citizens in Lebanon, starting from March 23. These services include issuing US passports, the renewal of expired US passports, preparing consular papers needed to register American children born in Lebanon, presenting documentary services, and other functions related US citizens in Lebanon. Go
- The Iraqi News Agency said that Iraq decided to form a popular committee to prepare for the prosecution of President Bill Clinton, former US President George Bush, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and a number of their assistants for crimes committed against Iraq. Go
- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor Posovaluke arrives in Beirut today for a two-day visit. He will hold talks with high-ranking Lebanese officials on means of reviving the peace process. Go
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