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Today's Headlines

• Our stances toward Iraq caused us problems, Mubarak says
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has concentrated most of his talks with Egyptian intellectuals during the opening of the 31st Cairo International Book Fair on Tuesday on the Egyptian policy towards Iraq. He stressed that Cairo is doing its best in the "interest of this country [Iraq], in a way not to contradict with Egyptian interests." Egypt, Politics, 1/27/99
• Syrian defense minister to visit Moscow to strengthen military cooperation
  Spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that Syrian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass will visit Moscow at the beginning of February to discuss with his Russian counterpart, Marshal Igor Sergeyev, issues relating to military cooperation. Syria, Military, 1/27/99
• On US attempts to topple Saddam
  The Turkish daily Hurriet has attributed the new US moves to topple Saddam Hussein to the Arab reaction towards Iraq's withdrawal from the Arab ministerial meeting. Iraq, Politics, 1/27/99
• Moussa calls for diplomatic solution to Iraqi crisis
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa reiterated there is a clear Arab position opposing military action to deal with the Iraqi crisis. Egypt, Politics, 1/27/99
• Report: Al-Sahaf may be relieved from his post
  A Kuwaiti daily said that Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Saeed al-Sahaf, who left the meeting hall of the Arab foreign ministers, in a provocative way, is expected to be dismissed from the Iraqi government within weeks, to be replaced by former Iraqi representative at the UN Nizar Hamdoun. Iraq, Politics, 1/27/99
• Sanctions against Iraq cause death of 6,000 persons per month
  halliday said that after 8 years, the sanctions should be considered as a kind of war as they cause the death of 5,000 to 6,000 persons per month. "We must find another solution," he pleaded. Iraq, Politics, 1/27/99
• Arab League calls for halt to British - US air strikes on Iraq
  US warplanes on Tuesday launched new attacks against three Iraqi sites near al-Mosul. Iraq, Politics, 1/27/99
• UAE deputy premier confers with Fatchett with Iraq center stage
  United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has asserted the need to establish just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 1/27/99
• Iraqi paper: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia are to pay dear price for US-British strikes
  The Iraqi daily al-Joumhureyah said on Tuesday that Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will pay a heavy price for the raids launched by the US and British planes on Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 1/27/99
• Iraqi parliament criticizes Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
  The Iraqi National Council (Parliament) on Tuesday called upon the Iraqi government to withdraw recognition of Iraq's border with Kuwait, in reaction to the raids carried out by the US and British troops on Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 1/27/99
• Algeria allows foreign banks to work in local markets
  The Algerian government has allowed foreign banks to work in international local markets without any limits and establish private banks. Algeria, Economics, 1/27/99
• Egyptian president receives Albright
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is receiving today US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Diplomatic sources said that discussions with her will mainly tackle the Iraqi crisis. Egypt, Politics, 1/27/99
• Syrian loan agreement with AFED
  Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi on Tuesday received the director general of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development Abdul Latif al-Hamad. Syria, Economics, 1/27/99
• Israeli contacts with Lebanon on Jezzine first
  An Israeli source indicated attempts to make contacts with Lebanon concerning withdrawal according to the plan prepared by the Israeli army known as "Jezzine first" three months ago, set up by the Israeli coordinator in Lebanon, Uri Lubrani. Lebanon, Politics, 1/27/99
• UAE supports Jordanian King's decisions, to offer aid to Jordan
  The United Arab Emirates has hailed the decision taken by King Hussein to appoint his oldest son Abdullah as crown prince. It stressed that it is now studying means of supporting Jordan to "enable it to carry out its national role." United Arab Emirates, Politics, 1/27/99
• Tehran warns Azerbaijan against establishing US military base
  The Iranian military leadership warned Azerbaijan against allowing the US to establish a military base in Azerbaijan in regions not far from border with Iran. Iran, Politics, 1/27/99
• Sheikh al-Sabah postpones visit to Jordan
  Current political developments in Jordan have obstructed a very important visit by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad to Amman expected to have been made on Tuesday. Kuwait, Politics, 1/27/99
• King Hussein returns to Mayo Clinic
  King Hussein of Jordan left Amman on Tuesday heading for the US to be admitted once again to the Mayo Clinic where he had been under medical treatment for cancer. Jordan, Politics, 1/27/99
• Turkish president concludes visit to Algeria today
  Algerian President Liamine Zeroual held intensive talks yesterday with his Turkish counterpart, Sulieman Demirel, who concluded his visit to Algeria heading a large Turkish delegation that includes the foreign ministers, education, officials in the Turkish parliament and nearly a hundred Turkish businessmen. Algeria, Politics, 1/27/99
• El-Bashir heads meeting of Sudanese defense council
  The Sudanese defense and security council held a meeting under the chairmanship of President Omar El-Bashir that tackled the security situation in the Darfur region following tribal confrontations that took place last week in which 30 persons were killed and another 27 injured. Sudan, Politics, 1/27/99
• Spanish contacts with Israel, Palestine
  European Union Middle East peace process envoy Miguel Moratinos said on Monday that Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar will make personal contacts with Israel and the Palestinian Authority before the possible announcement of a Palestinian state at the beginning of May this year. Palestine, Politics, 1/27/99
• Two Israelis wounded in attacks in south Lebanon
  Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday shelled with heavy artillery the heights of Jabal al-Daher, Tallat al-Dedeyah, the Litani valley, the al-Ghandourieh areas, al-Salawqi Valley, the outskirts of Kafra, Yater and Ein al-Khanouq, Majdal Suloum and Sujod al-Rayhan woods. Lebanon, Military, 1/27/99
• Morocco and South Korea sign accords on investment promotion
  Morocco and South Korea signed Wednesday in Rabat accords for the promotion of investment and for non-double taxation. Morocco, Economics, 1/27/99
• Canterbury archbishops chief arrives in Damascus
  The Archbishop of Canterbury, England, Dr. George L. Carey, and members of his accompanying delegation arrive in Damascus today for a visit which will last for several days. Dr. Carey will meet with several Syrian officials, as well as Islamic and Christian men of religion. Syria, Religion, 1/27/99
• Cooperation agreements between Algeria and Turkey
  Turkish President Suleiman Demirel, currently visiting Algeria, held a second round of talks with his Algerian counterpart Liamine Zeroual, completing discussions on issues already addressed on Monday night concerning several current regional and international issues. Algeria, Politics, 1/27/99
• Moroccan economy minister calls for improving the private sector
  "We will consolidate the solidity, security and efficiency of the banking sector and its competitive edge (...). We will also seek to reform the capital market to make of it an efficient tool for the mobilization of savings and the financing of investments," Oualalou said. Morocco, Economics, 1/27/99
• Arab traveler to Malta can hear familiar dialect on the isle
  Any Arab national arriving for the first time in Malta can be surprised by airport agents asking him for routine information in correct Arabic dialect. Regional, Culture, 1/27/99

Short Takes

• The Algerian government intends to sell 30% of shares it owns in the national bank of Algeria, which is the biggest of Algeria's general banks. Informed economic sources told ArabicNews.com that these shares will be sold to local and foreign investors. The sources added that the government decided to restructure the national bank paving the way for its privatization. Go
• Orient radio said on Tuesday that a meeting was held between Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam and Lebanese parliament member Beshara Murhij during which talks dealt with current developments and Arab and regional events. Go
• Commander of the US troops in the Gulf region General Anthony Zinni has admitted that US weapons hit residential areas in al-Basra city, southern Iraq. In a statement he made on Tuesday, Zinni claimed that one missile that was dropped by US warplanes over the "no fly zone" in southern Iraq may deviated and landed in populated areas in al-Basra city. Go
• United Arab Emirates Crown Prince and deputy commander general of the armed forces in the UAE Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi received a message from Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov concerning bilateral relations between the two countries and matters of mutual concern. Go
• The Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday appointed Moshe Arens as defense minister in Israel, succeeding Yitzhak Mordechai. Arens, a member of the IsraeIi Likud party, held the post of Israeli defense minister twice previously, in 1983-1984 and 1990-1992. Go
• According to news reports in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates Air Force and the French Air Force will carry out joint exercises. The Gulf News Agency reported that the joint exercise, which is called "Gulf Monitor," falls in the course of military cooperation between the two countries. Go
• Iran has condemned the air strikes that have been carried out by the US warplanes on Iraq. The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Hamid Rida Asefi, said in a statement on Tuesday that Iran is deeply concerned over the "escalation of tension in the region." Go
• Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Political Department, Farouk al-Qaddoumi, arrived in Damascus on Tuesday. In an arrival statement to SANA, al-Qaddoumi expressed happiness at visiting Syria, "the castle of Arab struggle." He extended warmest greetings to President Hafez al-Assad and the Syrian people over nominating al-Assad for a new constitutional term. Go
• Greek minister of the interior, public administration and decentralization, Alexandros Papadopoulos, is expected in Morocco this Wednesday at the invitation of Moroccan peer, Driss Basri. Go
• The cost of meals, distributed during the fasting month of Ramadan, to poorest people reached $ 1.5 million, said Moroccan secretary of state for solidarity and humanitarian action, Hammou Ouhali. Go
• Canada's general governor, representative of the British crown, Romeo Leblanc, will visit Morocco next February 25-27 as part of an African tour that will also take him to Cote D'Ivoire, Tanzania and Mali. Go
• The Morocco-Niger joint commission is to hold its second session in Morocco to debate ways to enhance cooperation ties between the two African nations. Go
• Fire destroyed on Tuesday morning a cardboard plant in Casablanca, entailing considerable material damage, the civil protection said. All the plant's products and machinery were destroyed by the fire that also injured three workers. Go
• Israel's Foreign Ministry said the American-Israeli-Palestinian Anti-Incitement committee will hold its sixth meeting tomorrow in Jerusalem, alleging that major anti-Israeli incitement is still taking place in the Palestinian media and from Palestinian officials. Go
• Algeria's ambassador to the United Nations told the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women that Algerian women are allowed full participation in society, adding that his country is determined to achieve equality for women. Go
• British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Derek Fatchett arrived today in Qatar for a two-day visit as part of a regional tour. Go
• The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said that ongoing environmental problems such as droughts and floods and continued instability threatens the food supply of 60,000 Somali children. Go
• Only 10 UNSCOM staff members remain in Bahrain, where 140 UNSCOM personnel headed in December after leaving Iraq, Bahrain Tribune reported. Israel razes Arab-owned home in Jerusalem Baghdad outraged over U.S. plans for more airstrikes Albright Criticizes Iraq After Talks Jordan's Crown Prince Receives Crowds Saddam vows revenge as U.S. planes continue attacks on Iraq Butler report on Iraq divides Russia, U.S. Four Palestinians shot by Israeli army - hospital Israeli settlers pin hopes on new defence chief Yemen / Kidnap Trial Turkey / Iraq / US Go

Yesterday's Headlines

• Iraq discusses measures against Saudi Arabian, Kuwaiti stances
• Arab ministerial committee to lift sanctions imposed on Iraq meets shortly in Damascus
• Moroccan FM says outcome of Arab meeting on Iraq is positive
• Why Hassan, the regent, is not crown prince anymore?
• King Hussein appoints his elder son, Abdullah, as crown prince
• Syrian people take to the streets in show of support to President al-Assad
• President Mubarak meets Libyan, Kuwaiti officials
• Mordechai and peace with Syria
• Moroccan party denounces pressures on Morocco by UN mission
• Spanish defense minister urges maghreban countries to diversify cooperation with spain
• Egyptian and Iranian foreign ministers are to convene soon
• European delegation in Khartoum discusses peace proposals for southern Sudan
• Egypt to host economic conference on February 3-4
• Palestinian Fatah movement accuses Libya of confiscating its properties
• Tunisia seeks to reduce its calf imports
• British officers spied on Iraq using UNSCOM
• Ali Saleh asks Blair to hand over Abu Hamzeh al-Masri
• Iraqi dailies criticize Arab foreign ministers' decisions
• Turkey: Syria will not receive Ocalan again in its territories
• Giant french company selected for construction of Tangier port
• Lebanon conducts first successful heart transplant
• Israeli forces attack south Lebanon

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