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Today's Headlines
- Mubarak calls upon Europe for greater role in Mideast peace
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has called upon the European countries, especially the Germans, to play a grater role in the Middle East peace process. Egypt, Politics, 2/25/99 - Bashar al-Assad in Amman today
Col. Bashaar al-Assad, son of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, arrives today in Amman to offer condolences to King Abdullah and members of the Jordanian royal family over the death of the late Jordanian King Hussein Bin Talal. Syria, Politics, 2/25/99 - Wide condemnation for the annexation of village of Arnoun Regional, Politics, 2/25/99
- Last 8 Jordanians arrested in Kuwait freed
The wife of one of the Jordanians who was detained in Kuwait said that Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah issued a pardon to eight Jordanians, who are the last Jordanians to ramain jailed in Kuwait since the Gulf War in 1991. Jordan, Politics, 2/25/99 - Mubarak receives Norwegian prime minister today
El-Shazely described the visit of Bondevik as an important visit, as it is the first formal one for the Norwegian prime minister to Cairo, as well as because of its economic goal in order to upgrade economic relations between the two countries, especially in the domains of trade and investment. Egypt, Politics, 2/25/99 - King Hassan II receives Palestinian president
"We shall exercise our sovereignty after May 4th and Israel has not the right to interfere in our internal affairs in the West Bank and Gaza," Kaddoumi said. Morocco, Politics, 2/25/99 - Iraq confronts hostile planes near Baghdad
An Iraqi military statement said that hostile forces shelled targets yesterday in Baghdad province, which led to the death of one person and the injury of others. Iraq, Military, 2/25/99 - Qatar for convening an international conference on Iraq
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani has proposed convening a UN conference to settle the Iraqi crisis and to pave the way for the gradual lifting of the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq. Qatar, Politics, 2/25/99 - Baghdad: Jordanian delegation to reduce the commercial protocol
Jordanian Minister of Industry and Trade Mohammed Saleh El-Horani arrived in Baghdad yesterday, heading his country's delegation to attend the meetings of the Iraqi - Jordanian joint committee. Iraq, Economics, 2/25/99 - Khartoum confirms progress in issue of Egyptian possessions
High-profile official sources said that both Sudan and Egypt reached in the national ruling conference held in Sudan a primary agreement for treating disputes concerning the issue of Egyptian possessions in Sudan that were confiscated by Khartoum during the crisis in the two countries' relations. Sudan, Politics, 2/25/99 - United Arab Emirates and Canada reach agreement to prevent double taxation
Canadian Minister of International Trade Sergio Marchi said that agreements for preventing tax duplicity and protecting investments between the United Arab Emirates and Canada are about to be signed. United Arab Emirates, Economics, 2/25/99 - El-Bashir's approval for south Sudan's dissention shows lasck of loyalty says official
Farouk Abu Isah, the official spokesman of the Sudanese opposition Democratic National Assembly accused Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir of not being loyal to his nation due to Bashir's statements suggesting his approval of a separate south Sudan Sudan, Politics, 2/25/99 - Syrian-Turkish security committee concludes meeting in positive atmospheres
The talks of the Syrian-Turkish security committee were concluded in "positive atmospheres," according to well-informed sources. Syria, Politics, 2/25/99 - Palestinian official calls Arab and Muslim countries to purchase property in Jerusalem
The Palestinian official in charge of the dossier of Jerusalem, Faysal Al-Husseini, called on Arab and Islamic countries to purchase real estate in the holy city. Regional, Politics, 2/25/99 - Belarus wants to enhance cooperation with Arab states
Belarussian President Alexander lkashenko said Wednesday his country was ready to develop cooperation with the Arab world and guarantee interests of Arabs inside Europe. Regional, Politics, 2/25/99 - Iranian president ready to cooperate with Morocco to defend Jerusalem
The Iranian official underlined President Khatami's will to enhance consultation with King Hassan II, chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, and with all the member countries of the Organization of Islamic conference, in order to uphold the Palestinian cause and defend Holy Al-Quds. Morocco, Politics, 2/25/99 - Saudi minister of trade visits European Union countries
Saudi Minister of Trade Usama Jafer Fakeh arrived in Brussels today leading a commercial and economic delegation to convene with Leon Brinan, the deputy chairman of the European Commission, at the beginning of the delegation's tour of the countries of the European Union. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/25/99 - Kurds demonstrate in protest of Ocalan's arrest
Thousands of Kurds who live in various parts of Europe demonstrated in Rome on Wednesday in protest against the arrest of the leader of the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, in Kenya last week. Regional, Politics, 2/25/99 - Iraq demands the cancellation of no-fly zones
The Iraqi daily al-Joumhureyah said that moral duty and legal responsibility necessitate that the Arab League has to take a clear stand toward this flagrant daily aggression against the Iraqi people, a stand stemming from the AL charter and the joint Arab defense treaty. Iraq, Politics, 2/25/99 - Khatami confers with Kuwaiti information minister
Iranian President Muhammad Khatami on Tuesday night in Tehran received Kuwaiti Information Minister Youssef al-Sammit, currently visiting Iran. Kuwait, Politics, 2/25/99 - US embassy in Damascus resumes issuance of visas
The US embassy in Damascus has announced that it will resume issuing non-migration visas as of next Sunday, February 28. Syria, Politics, 2/25/99 - Morocco adopts new customs code
Morocco adopted Wednesday a new customs code which will help Moroccan enterprises and exporters improve performance and enhance competitiveness to be up to the market-economy challenges. Morocco, Economics, 2/25/99 - Malaysia denies participating in Ocalan's arrest
Malaysia on Wednesday denied news that it had participated with Turkey in the kidnapping of the leader of the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, despite news reports which said that he was taken to Turkey on board a plane bearing the Malaysian flag. Regional, Politics, 2/25/99 - Saudi company protests over paying 65 million dollars to U.S navy Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/25/99
Short Takes
- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak authorized Foreign Minister Amr Moussa to head tomorrow to Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, to head Egypt's delegation to the meetings of foreign ministers from the Group of Eight Developing Islamic Countries (G8) which will start its work on Saturday to prepare the recommendations and decisions that will be raised to the summit of the G8 member countries' heads of state which will begin in Dhaka at the start of March. Go
- Morocco's reserves in foreign currency increased in 1998 by 5 % to $ 4.4 Billion against $ 4.2 bln in 1997. According to Morocco's Central Bank (Banque AL Maghreb), the reserves are sufficient to cover the country's imports for the upcoming six months. Go
- Sources in the Jordanian Ministry of Planning stated that Saudi Arabia agreed to finance Jordanian infrastructure projects, clarifying that an agreement took place during the visit paid to Saudi Arabia by a Jordanian economic delegation under the chairmanship of Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Taher Kanaan, and including Minister of Finance Michel Marto as well as Minister of Planning Nabil Amari. Go
- The European parliament's committee of foreign affairs, security and defense policy adopted Wednesday a report calling for integrating Libya in the upcoming Euro-Mediterranean conference of foreign ministers. Go
- Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss received a message on Wednesday from Kuwaiti First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. In his message Sheikh al-Sabah praised the warm relations linking Kuwait to Lebanon and Lebanon's stand in backing Kuwait at all times, ensuring its security and sovereignty. Go
- The US Defense Department has announced that the US and British warplanes had destroyed about 20% of Iraq's batteries of anti-aircraft missiles since December 1998. Spokesman for the Pentagon Ken Bacon told journalists in Washington on Tuesday, "We have probably reduced the total number of surface-to-air missile systems he [Iraqi President Saddam Hussein] has by about 20 percent." Go
- The General Secretariat of the Arab Bar Association has asserted the need for ensuring a fair trial for Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan as well as a just solution for the cause of the Kurds. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the general secretariat expressed its concern over the act of the international piracy in which observers asserted the involvement of the Kenyan, US, Israeli and Turkish intelligence bodies that led to the abduction of Ocalan. Go
- The Arab League said the council of Arab foreign ministers will hold a two-day meeting for its 111th session on March 17 and 18. A well-informed source at the AL's General Secretariat said on Wednesday that the new date for the session was fixed as a result of consultations with Syria, the current chairman of the AL council. Go
- King Hassan II had on Wednesday evening in Marrakesh talks with Arab League Secretary General, Esmat Abdel Meguid. The contents of talks were not disclosed. Go
- Morocco hopes that the presidential elections scheduled next April in Algeria would help restore stability in the country. "We also hope that the ballots would be an occasion for our Algerian brothers to respond positively to Morocco's calls for the normalization of relations, opening of borders and suppression of visas between the two neighboring countries," the spokesman said Yesterday in Rabat. Go
- European envoy for the Middle East, Miguel Angel Moratinos, briefed Moroccan Premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, on the latest developments of the Middle East peace process, at a meeting in Rabat on wednesday. Moratinos also expounded the efforts made by the European Union to put on track again the derailed negotiations between Israel and Arab states, a statement by the premier's office said. Go
- The United Arab Emirates' Federal National Council approved a law that will provide a full year of maternity leave for new mothers employed by the UAE government, Khaleej Times reported. Go
- Palestinian advisor Ahmad Tibi and Arab Israeli Knesset member Taleb Al Sana plan to visit Iraq and meet with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, though no definite date has been set for the visit at this time, Jordan Times reported. Go
- Qatari Minster of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture Ali Bin Saeed al-Khayarin said that March 8 municipal elections will lay the groundwork for democracy in the Gulf state, Gulf Times reported. Ocalan Gets Visit From Lawyers Russian diplomat says Syria can have latest MiG-29 Uruguay likely to extradite Luxor suspect to Egypt Vatican Urges Sharing 2000 Wealth Israel Embassy Guard Shot in Jordan Irate Gadhafi orders probe into polygamy law Canadian churches ask U.N. to impose no-fly zones in portions of Sudan Lebanon finance minister says must raise revenue Egypt detains five alleged Islamic militants Fears of military influence grow ahead of Algeria presidential vote Shelton / Iraq Palestinians / Ocalan PA rejects PM offer to revive Wye Three more months for 'Hamas inmates chief' Go
Yesterday's Headlines
- Three Israeli elite paratrooper commandos killed in south Lebanon
- Lebanon complains to Understanding Committee
- Syrian-Turkish security committee started positive, successful meetings
- Iraqis demonstrate in Iran in protest of assassinating Muhammad al-Sader
- Iraqi opposition parties hold government responsible for al-Sader's assassination
- Iraqi opposition calls for sending international fact-finding commission to Baghdad
- Al-Sahaf: US may have assassinated al-Sader
- Iraq denies acts of violence in al-Nasereyah
- Gaddafi seeks to reconcile with the US
- Cairo concerned by possible intensification of sanctions against Libya
- Norwegian prime minister visits Cairo today
- New Egyptian draft budget worth $28 billion
- Sources: King Hussein, Arafat agreed to confederation
- On the changes in Jordan
- Ritter admits the interference of CIA in Iraq and UNSCOM
- Gulf Cooperation Council discusses developing unified gas network
- Moroccan-Sudanese cooperation commission meets in Khartoum
- Sudan protests over convening an opposition conference in Uganda
- Jordan seeks improvement in relations with Iran and Iraq
- French petroleum companies in Egypt once again
- Report: Taleban delegation meets with Bin Laden in Jalaal Abad
- Iran, Kuwait sign cultural cooperation agreements
- Kahalani threatens to strike Lebanese infrastructure
