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Today's Headlines
- Damascus reiterates refusal of the five-member summit, receiving Arafat
Well-informed Palestinian sources in Damascus quoted Syrian officials in Damascus as saying that the five-member summit "will not be held at the meantime" due to Damascus' refusal to receive Yasser Arafat because of Damascus' "fears" of giving more concessions concerning Jerusalem, if such a meeting is made, as happened in 1993 when Arafat signed the Oslo agreement following a visit to Syria. Syria, Politics, 6/17/99 - Moussa says problems face convening Arab summit
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa stated that there are problems facing convening the Arab summit, calling on the Arab stated not to allow these problems to prevent the convening of the summit, specifically as no Arab summit has convened since 1996, even though four five-fold summits have been held. Egypt, Politics, 6/17/99 - Gaddafi arrives in Sudan today
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael said in a press conference he held in Khartoum on Wednesday that Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi will arrive in Sudan today for a several-day visit. Sudan, Politics, 6/17/99 - Iranian foreign minister visits Lebanon today
Iranian Foreign minister Kamal Kharazi is arriving today for an official visit to Lebanon, during which he will convey a message from Iranian President Mohammed Khatami to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud. Lebanon, Politics, 6/17/99 - Egyptian economic delegation to visit Libya on Saturday
An Egyptian economic delegation comprising a group of experts and businessmen is to arrive to the Libyan city of Syrte on Saturday to discuss means of supporting and increasing economic commercial and investment cooperation with Libyan officials. Egypt, Economics, 6/17/99 - Jordanian, Tunisian views on the Arab summit Jordan, Politics, 6/17/99
- Jordan ignores Israel's request to mediate to release Jews in Iran
Jordan ignored Israel's request to mediate with Tehran to release the detained Jews in Iran accused of spying so this does not spoil the visit to be paid by Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi to Amman on Saturday, the first visit for a high-ranking Iranian official to Jordan since the Islamic revolution. Jordan, Politics, 6/17/99 - Sources: Al-Assad, Arafat will not meet before formation of Israeli government
Syrian diplomatic sources denied that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat would visit Damascus before the formation of the new Israeli government. Syria, Politics, 6/17/99 - Egypt, Sudan relations to witness great development
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael stated that Egypt and Sudan started implementing procedures that were discussed recently between the two sides, clarifying that he discussed during his last visit to Cairo many issues regarding security, the Egyptian buildings in Sudan and what Egypt could do to help achieve Sudanese national reconciliation. Sudan, Politics, 6/17/99 - Moroccan premier to visit Iran shortly Morocco, Politics, 6/17/99
- Al-Sahaf: Iraq exposed to vandalistic attempts
In press statements, Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Said al-Sahaf said Iraq has been exposed recently to violent acts, referring to car explosions this week leading to the deaths of seven persons and the injury of more than 30 persons. Iraq, Politics, 6/17/99 - Clinton, optimistic on peace process
US President Bill Clinton said today at a joint press conference with French President Jacques Chirac that reports of a broad-based coalition government in Israel are encouraging for the Middle East peace process, saying, "It's fair to say that France and all of Europe, the United States, hope that we can play a constructive role in what we hope will be a productive next step." Regional, Politics, 6/17/99 - Government reshuffle in Saudi Arabia
King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday enacted a royal decree providing for making a ministerial reshuffle in Saudi Arabia -- the second in 25 years -- in which main ministers kept their posts. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/17/99 - Iranian president, FM confer with Lebanese parliament speaker
Iranian President Muhammad Khatami on Wednesday in Tehran discussed with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri relations between the two countries and issues of mutual concern. Iran, Politics, 6/17/99 - Palestinians warns of Barak's declarations regarding settlements in Jerusalem
The Palestinian National authority warned of the declarations made by Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak regarding continuing settlements in Jerusalem. Palestine, Politics, 6/17/99 - Arabs examine investment prospects in their region
Arab governmental representatives, decision-makers and delegates of international organizations are studying in Rabat investment prospects in the Arab World. Regional, Economics, 6/17/99 - Italian sailors killers sentenced
Algerian security forces killed one member of the Armed Islamic Group in al-Karkara town in Skeikda province. The Algerian daily al-Khabar said on Wednesday that the armed groups killed one old man and burnt one house in Awlad Jebeyeh town in Skeikda province. Algeria, Local, 6/17/99 - Eritrea: Two Ethiopian MiG-23 fighter aircraft shot down Ethiopia, Politics, 6/17/99
Short Takes
- An Iranian official source said on Wednesday that the 13 arrestsed persons who are accused of being members of an organized spy network are Muslims and Jews and are accused of working against the national security. Go
- Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh met on Wednesday in Amman with Iraqi Trade Minister Muhammad Mahdi Saleh. During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations between the two states and multifaceted areas of cooperation. Go
- The Algerian National People's Council chairman Abdul Qader Bin Saleh on Wednesday in Algiers discussed with the speaker of the Egyptian Parliament, Ahmad Fathi Sorour, currently visiting Algeria on top of a parliamentary delegation, means of strengthening and developing parliamentary and legislative relations between the two states, as well as exchanging experts and visits. Go
- It was announced in Manama on Wednesday that Bahrain and El Salvador have decided to establish bilateral diplomatic relations on the level of ambassadors. The Gulf News Agency quoted a joint statement by the two sides as saying, "The two sides decided to establish official diplomatic relations with the objective of strengthening and developing relations between the two countries, and in line with provisions of the Vienna agreements for diplomatic relations, signed in 1961." Go
- Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Wednesday received a message from the ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani. The message was conveyed by Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani during his meeting with the Saudi crown prince in Riyadh on Wednesday. Go
- Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi is to arrive in Damascus today for a short visit to Syria that will last for several hours, marking the beginning of his tour which will also cover Lebanon and Jordan. Go
- In the framework of the oil-for-food program a Saudi food shipment arrived in Iraq on Tuesday at a cost of US $150 million. The secretary general of the Saudi Chambers council, Osama al-Kurdi, stated that Saudi businessmen are exporting Saudi products in the context of the UN program. Go
- US and Qatari forces on Wednesday carried out joint military maneuvers in the final stage of maneuvers carrying the name of Bright Star. The Gulf News Agency said a Qatari mechanical contingent took part in the exercise with elements from the US groups. Go
- Kuwait has signed the agreement of guarantees and privileges pertaining to the international court for the navigation law. The Gulf News Agency said Kuwait's permanent representative at the UN, Muhammad Abu al-Hassan, signed the agreement on Tuesday night at UN headquarters in New York. Go
- Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, Jerusalem's Mufti, asked consuls of European countries to pressure Israel to stop its interference in the affairs of El-Aqsa mosque and to stop violating its sanctity, referring to the attempts of Jewish settlers to enter it during the prayer time. Go
- Morocco's woman 400 m world hurdler champ, Nezha Bedouane, set Wednesday in Athens the best world performance clocking 53.54. Bedouane, the 400-m world champion, has made her best world timing (52.96) in Johannesburg last September. Go