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Today's Headlines
- King Fahd confers with Khatami
Official talks started on Saturday night at al-Salaam palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia and Iranian President Muhammad Khatami who started earlier in the day an official visit to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/17/99 - Iranian president confers with Saudi FM
Iranian President Muhammad Khatami met on Sunday at his residence in Jeddah with the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. Prince Faisal described the meetings held between King Fahd and President Khatami on Saturday as "historic" and included the most important aspects in bilateral relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/17/99 - Khatami meets with Saudi oil, trade ministers
Following the meeting, Saudi Minister of Oil Ali al-Nueimi said, "The most important thing is that Saudi Arabia and Iran have had held unanimous stances concerning oil, as the two biggest oil producing countries in the Gulf," noting that such agreement would be conducive to stabilizing the market, and improving oil prices. Saudi Arabia, Economics, 5/17/99 - New Yemeni embassy in Kuwait, Meguid says this as Arab reconciliation
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Sunday received a message from Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, delivered over by Yemeni Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Abdul Qader Bajmal during his meeting with Sheikh Jaber on Sunday. Yemen, Politics, 5/17/99 - Algiers hosts Maghreban union follow-up committee
The follow-up committee of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) opened works of its 35th session today in Algiers to assess the activities of Maghreban institutions and make proposals to reactivate the union. Algeria, Politics, 5/17/99 - Mubarak discuss economic policy, opens new facilities in South Egypt Egypt, Economics, 5/17/99
- Iranian-Syrian agreements, protocols signed on Khatami's visit to Damascus
Following the Iranian president's visit to Syria, which concluded on Saturday afternoon, a joint communique was issued both in Damascus and Tehran on talks conducted between the two presidents following the three-day official visit by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to Syria. Syria, Politics, 5/17/99 - Confidence entrusted by Khatami on President al-Assad
A high-ranking diplomatic sources told the Kuwaiti daily al-Qabas on Sunday that Iranian President Muhammad Khatami who concluded his visit to Damascus on Sunday has offered "full confidence" to President al-Assad concerning ways of dealing with the "diplomatic operation in the Middle East." Syria, Politics, 5/17/99 - Gulf states threaten to boycott of Arab sports if Iraq participates
The deputy of public head of the Saudi Olympic committee, Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, confirmed that his country will announce its withdrawal from the Arab sport round in Jordan between August 12 - 28 if Iraq is able to take part at any level in this round. Gulf, Sports, 5/17/99 - Sudan to open dialogue with the opposition
The leadership council of the Congress Party in Sudan has agreed to open the door to dialogue with opposition forces. This was expressed in a meeting of the council chaired by Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Sudan, Politics, 5/17/99 - Egypt for good relations with Iran
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday said in statements during a press conference in Asyut that his country desires to "maintain good relations with Iran." Egypt, Politics, 5/17/99 - Lebanese resistance operations result in SLA officer's capture
The Lebanese resistance said on Sunday they infiltrated an Israeli-occupied village and in south Lebanon and captured a high-ranking officer from the Israeli-allied South Lebanon Army militia. Lebanon, Military, 5/17/99 - The door is open for a Syrian-Palestinian summit
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Abbas Zaki said the door is open before a Syrian - Palestinian summit and that it is just "a matter of time." Syria, Politics, 5/17/99 - Kuwait for boosting Iranian-Arab relations
Kuwait's first deputy Premier and foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad, has stated that the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council are looking forward vast horizons of solid relations built on confidence with Iran. Kuwait, Politics, 5/17/99 - Egyptian delegation in world businesswomen's conference
An Egyptian delegation is going to take part in the meetings of the economic conference for world businesswomen which is being held in Brussels on May 25 - 28, under the chairmanship of Yomna El-Sheridi, the head of the Egyptian businesswomen's assembly, in the company of 15 businesswomen forming the assembly's members. Egypt, Business, 5/17/99 - El-Shazli to people's assembly: We will not reduce number of embassies
Egyptian Minister of State for People's Embassies serve not only to promote the interest of Egyptian nationals, and those who wish to travel to Egypt, but are increasingly are being used to by many countries in promoting economic interestsAssembly & Consultative Council Affairs Kamal El-Shazli said yesterday before the people's assembly, "We will not reduce the number of our embassies abroad, because it is not in the interest of Egypt, which seeks to establish distinguished relations with all countries of the world." Egypt, Local, 5/17/99 - Saudi Chief of Staff Visits Morocco
Saudi chief of staff, Gen. Saleh Benali Al Mohaya, started on Saturday a week-long visit to Morocco, heading a delegation of Saudi military top officers. Morocco, Military, 5/17/99 - Moroccan official starts european tour Morocco, Politics, 5/17/99
- Turkish army continues invasion of northern Iraq
The Turkish army, since Friday, has continued a new invasion operation against northern Iraq, under the pretext of chasing armed Kurds. Iraq, Politics, 5/17/99 - Nimeiri back to Sudan on coming Thursday
Former Sudanese President Jafar Nimeiri is due to return to Khartoum on Thursday for a visit lasting for a week, during which he will meet with current Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir and Hassan El-Turabi, the head of Sudanese parliament. Sudan, Politics, 5/17/99 - Moussa hopes peace will be established by next Israeli government
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa expressed his hope that today's Israeli elections open the way for an able government to be a partner in establishing peace in the region and not to be an obstacle to the peace process. Egypt, Politics, 5/17/99 - Syrian defense minister meets with US cadets
Syrian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass on Sunday received in Damascus members of a delegation from the American National Military Academy, currently visiting Syria. Syria, Politics, 5/17/99 - Italy sets up centers to promote business with Arab states, small business loan to Morocco
The Italian government decided to offer Morocco a loan valued at $16 million dollars to enhance cooperation between the companies and centers of scientific research centers in the two countries, especially in light of a retreat in Italian investments in Morocco. Morocco, Economics, 5/17/99 - Report: Lebanese businessmen and investment in Syria
Lebanese businessmen were quoted as saying that Dr. Bashar al-Assad who has decided to "launch the battle of the future," is notably concentrating on the investment issue, inspired by the address given by his father, Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, upon taking his oath for a fifth constitutional term in Syria. Syria, Economics, 5/17/99 - Morocco and Egypt to foster cooperation in fisheries
Moroccan Fisheries minister, Thami Khyari, conferred last Weekend in Cairo with Egyptian minister of Agriculture, Yussef Wali, on ways of promoting cooperation between the two states in matters of fisheries and related sectors. Egypt, Economics, 5/17/99 - US commercial delegation to visit Cairo
A commercial delegation from the United States representing three economic organizations -- the Export - Import Bank of the United States, the US Trade and Development Agency and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation -- is to arrive in Cairo on May 25. Egypt, Economics, 5/17/99 - Representation offices for the Saudi - American bank in Lebanon Lebanon, Economics, 5/17/99
- Sahrawi refugees return is the key to Sahara problem, former UN representative says
The return of Sahrawi refugees to their areas of origin is the key to the Sahara problem settlement, said Charles Dunbar, former representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to the Sahara. Morocco, Politics, 5/17/99 - Morocco celebrates national environment day
Morocco which extends over nearly 710,000 km and which has a 3,500 km long coast along the Atlantic and the Mediterranean is well aware of the environmental threat and of the need to preserve its ecological system. To this end, it integrated the environment component in its socio-economic development plans. Morocco, Environment, 5/17/99 - Morocco: Polisario idea to gather sequestered sahrawis is no man's land is unacceptable
A Moroccan minister termed as "unacceptable" an idea proposed by the Polisario front to gather in the "no man's land" the Sahrawis sequestered in the front's south-western Algerian stronghold of Tindouf. Morocco, Politics, 5/17/99 - Ethiopian warplanes strike Eritrean port
Eritrea announced on Sunday that the Ethiopian warplanes struck the coastal city of Maswa. Ethiopia, Politics, 5/17/99 - International Monetary Fund opens bureau in Cairo
The International Monetary Fund affiliated to the World Bank decided opening a regional bureau in Cairo and appointed Sami Hadad as a regional representative to start work at the beginning of June. Regional, Economics, 5/17/99
Short Takes
- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday in Cairo held a round of talks with Eritrean President Assyas Afworki, currently visiting Egypt. Following the meeting, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said in a statement to reporters that during the round of talks between the two presidents details of the Eritrea- Ethiopia conflict, means of settling it and the African initiatives were reviewed. Also reviewed were the situation in Africa in general and issues of mutual concern. Go
- Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Sunday in Riyadh held two meetings with Iranian President Muhammad Khatami and members of the accompanying delegation. The two sides exchanged cordial talks and discussed bilateral ties and means of boosting them at all levels. Issues of concern to the Islamic world, most importantly current international developments and issues relating to the region in particular, were also discussed between the two sides. Go
- The London-based "al-Sharq al-Awsat " daily on Sunday quoted a diplomatic source in Doha as saying that Iran welcomes any regional efforts, especially from the Gulf Cooperation Council member states, in order to settle the dispute with the United Arab Emirates. But Iran set a conditions that negotiations only address Abu Mousa island, considering the issue of Greater and Lesser Tanb as set since 1971. Go
- The state of Kuwait has decided to offer Kuwaiti women the full right to nominate themselves and take part in the elections of the Nation's Council (the parliament) and the municipality council as of the year 2003. In a statement to reporters on Sunday, the Kuwaiti first deputy premier and foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad, said the Kuwaiti Cabinet approved in its Sunday's session a law on this matter. Go
- The Sudanese daily al-Rai al-Am on Sunday said that the Eritrean government ordered the leadership of the Sudanese opposition alliance in Asmara to evacuate the headquarters of the Sudanese embassy in Asmara. Go
- The chairman of the United Arab Emirates' national federal council, Muhammad Bin Khaleifa al-Habtour, met on Sunday in Abu Dhabi with the chairman of the national committee for the political consultation conference of the Chinese people, Li Roi Hwan, currently on a several-day visit to the UAE. Go
- Bashar al-Assad on Saturday visited Iranian President Muhammad Khatami at his residence at al- Chaab Syrian presidential palace in Damascus. No information was disclosed on the content of talks held between the two sides. Go
- Moroccan minister of agriculture, rural development and fisheries, Habib El Malki, will head a business delegation on a five-day visit to the USA this May 24. Go
- Moroccan secretary of state for social protection, family and childhood, Mohammed Said Saadi, starts today a four-day working visit to Tunisia. Go
- Turkish company "Ramzey Engine" will invest over $ 2 million for the launching of a low-cost motorcycle in Morocco. Under an accord signed last week with Moroccan Trade and industry department, the Turkish company offers to sell its motorbikes for less than $ 700 in return for some tax exemptions and fiscal facilities. Go
- The UN mission in charge of the referendum in the Western Sahara on Sunday announced that US diplomat William Eaglton, will be appointed very shortly as a special representative for the UN at the Western Sahara. Go
- An African mini summit which aims at achieving peace between the Congo, on one hand and Uganda and Rwanda and other African countries on the other was concluded in Syrte, Libya on Saturday. Go
- The Moroccan Atlantic coast city of Essaouira will play host next June to a World Fly Surf cup part of the world pro-championships. Surfers from Hawai, France, England, Germany... will be present in the 1st fly-surf event of Essaouira, "Mogador" the city of winds. Go
- Gulf Air will begin daily flights between Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Beirut on June 16, Lebanon, Khaleej Times reported. Go
- The central banks in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to link the two countries' ATM (automatic teller machine) networks, allowing withdrawal from the two banks' machines using either country's card, Gulf Times reported. Go