Today's Headlines
- Al-Assad informs Clinton: No negotiations before pledging to withdraw
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Thursday reiterated his intention to abide by reaching a peace with Israel, noting a need to exerting efforts for this purpose. This was expressed in a message al-Assad sent to US President Bill Clinton. Syria-USA, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Al-Assad meets with Finnish foreign minister
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad received Finnish Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen, whose country currently presides over the European Union, on Thursday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace. Syria-European Union, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Iran pledges to pay costs of reconstructing all destroyed bridges in south Lebanon
The Iranian government undertook paying the full cost of reconstructing all the bridges that were destroyed by Israeli jets in south Lebanon during the last attack on the Lebanese infrastructure. Lebanon-Iran, Economics, 8/6/1999
- UAE celebrates Sheikh Zayed's accession to power
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrates the 33rd anniversary of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan's accession to power this Friday. United Arab Emirates, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Morocco will remain at vanguard of human rights protection
Morocco's options in the field of human rights are "irreversible," Khalid Alioua, spokesman for the government, said, adding that Morocco devised a program, took the necessary measures and was endowed with specialized institutions entitled to follow up the situation of human rights. Morocco, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Morocco determined to advance towards modernity, premier
Touching on the reforms initiated by his center-left coalition government, Youssoufi said besides the reform of justice which was started before the appointment of his government in March 1998, the Cabinet is busy reforming the administration, moralizing public life, struggling against corruption, against unemployment, against illiteracy, against poverty. Morocco, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Lebanese president meets with Finnish FM
Lebanon has asserted its commitment to the principles on the grounds of which it joined peace negotiations, especially UN resolution 425 pertaining to immediate Israeli withdrawal from the south and the western Bekaa. Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Bouteflika to visit Paris next month
Algerian diplomatic sources in Cairo said today that Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is due to head to Paris next month, on his return from the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Algeria-France, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Egyptian - Libyan economic chamber to meet next week
The Egyptian - Libya joint economic chamber is due to hold its two-day meetings in Banghazi during the coming week. Egypt-Libya, Economics, 8/6/1999
- Sudanese government declares comprehensive ceasefire in all operation zones
The Sudanese government announced a unilateral comprehensive ceasefire in all operations zones in Sudan starting from yesterday at midnight and lasting until October 15 to facilitate rescue operations for the injured. Sudan, Politics, 8/6/1999
- UN sanctions committee freezes contracts to Iraq at US $250 million
The UN said on Thursday that Iraq is proceeding with oil exports in a way that will enable it to reach the ceiling set by the UN every six months. Iraq-Saudi Arabia, Economics, 8/6/1999
- Sudan denies use of chemicals against southern rebels
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael on Thursday denied that his country used biological and chemical weapons in southern Sudan, adding, "Sudan, in fact, does not own such weapons." Sudan, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Yemen announces arrest of Belgian tourists' kidnapper
Yemeni Minister of Interior General Hussein Mohammed Arab said that Yemeni security bodies arrested the kidnapper of the four Belgian tourists who were abducted on July 15, adding that they will be presented for trial during the next few days. Yemen, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Reporters to accompany Knesset delegation to Damascus in September
Palestinian sources in Damascus told the London-based al-Hayat daily that Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa had agreed the proposal of Israeli Knesset member Azmi Bishara, who is also the chairman of the Arab Democratic Party, to include several Arab reporters and journalists in Israel in a delegation of 12 Arab members of the Israeli Knesset that is scheduled to visit Damascus at the beginning of next September. Syria-Israel, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Morocco's leftist parties must unite in one party, says house speaker
Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives Abdelouahed Radi has called Moroccan leftist political parties to group in one party to reduce dissipation of political forces. Morocco, Politics, 8/6/1999
- US development agency backs up Egyptian small projects
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Cairo has agreed to present LE 300 million to support medium and small projects for Egyptian youths. Egypt-USA, Economics, 8/6/1999
- Erekat calls for world pressure on Israel to implement Wye River accord
The Palestinian National Authority asked the European Union and major countries to work on implementing the agreement signed between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Iraqi Kurds dismiss accusations of supporting PKK
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Jalal Talibani and Kurdistan Democratic Party political bureau member Samy Abd El-Rahaman, denied accusations directed at them of sheltering members of the Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq and supporting the PKK's activities against Turkish forces in southern Turkey. Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Israel allows Abu Ali Mustafa to return to Palestinian territories
Israeli army radio said on Thursday that Israel has permitted the return of the second man in the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Abu Ali Mustafa, to the Palestinian territories at the request of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, who hoped to continue the dialogue with the front. Palestine, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Three prizes for Egypt's children in Binalli international for arts
Egypt has won three silver medals in the third national Benali El-Shuna for child's arts, which is currently being held in Alexandria, with the participation of 33 countries. Egypt-International, Culture, 8/6/1999
- Libya and Italy confirm adherence to implementing Rome declaration
Libya and Italy confirmed their adherence to implementing the Rome declaration signed by the two countries in July 1998 to turn the page between them and push bilateral relations toward broad new horizons. Libya-Italy, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Employment promotion agency set up
The Moroccan Cabinet adopted on Thursday a bill setting up a national agency for employment promotion as well as the decree enforcing the bill. Morocco, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Manama cancels passport of Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Hamad
The Gulf News Agency said that Bahrain has decided to cancel the diplomatic passport offered to one of the relatives of the emir of Qatar, accused of attempting to overthrow the emir in 1996. Bahrain-Qatar, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Moroccan government has no information about preparations for meeting between King Mohammed and Israeli premier
The Moroccan government has no information concerning preparations for a meeting between King Mohammed VI and Israeli Premier Ehud Barak, said the government spokesman Khalid Alioua. Morocco-Israel, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Arab states face water shortage
Some 15 Mediterranean states which met on Wednesday in the city of Marseilles, southeastern France, met in the course of the World Council for Water have warned that water shortage in the Arab states will be catastrophic in the short run. Regional, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Palestine seeks to convene Arab summit for El-Touk countries
The Palestinian people's committees in the camps of Sour town in south Lebanon called for convening a fivefold summit for the El-Touk (band) countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, in addition to the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization). Those are the countries hosting half of the Palestinian refugees. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Sanaa admits Wednesday's explosion
The Yemeni mass media on Thursday said that five persons were killed and another 43 wounded when an explosive charge went off in Sanaa, thereby refuting the police version about the explosion on that it was a result of a family row. Yemen, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Levy to visit Amman; Jordan asks for apology
The Israeli daily Maariv said on Wednesday said that Jordan has asked for a personal apology message signed by former Israeli intelligence chief Dany Yatom in order to permit him to visit Jordan Jordan-Israel, Politics, 8/6/1999
- Selling Kuwait assets in USA, Portugal
The Kuwait International Investment Company has decided to sell its assets in the USA and Portugal, valued at $60 million. Kuwait-International, Business, 8/6/1999
Short Takes
- King Mohammed VI received separately in Rabat on Thursday the leaders of three opposition political parties. These are Abdellatif Semlali, president of the Constitutional Union (UC); Mohand Laensar, secretary general of the Popular Movement (MP); and Mahmoud Archane, secretary general of the Democratic and Social Movement (MDS). Go
- King Abdullah Bin Hussein of Jordan will visit Lebanon next month. Lebanese official sources said that King Abdullah will arrive in Beirut on September 14 fir a two day visit to Lebanon at the invitation of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud. The Lebanese president held a one day visit to Jordan last month. Go
- Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Wednesday delivered the Algerian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Taqeyah, who handed the crown prince a message for King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz from Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The Saudi Press Agency which reported the news gave no mention of the content of the message. Bouteflika last week visited King Fahd in southern Spain, where the king is spending a private vacation. Go
- Moroccan sources expected that the second half of this August will witness intensive moves between Morocco and Algeria in order to reopen borders and convene a summit that brings together King Muhammad VI and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The Moroccan sources linked the date of the summit with the annual celebration of August 20, an occasion when the two countries celebrate the struggle to attain independence. Go
- The general command of the Jordanian armed forces on Wednesday announced that the joint chief of staff of the Jordanian armed forces, Lt. Gen. Muhammad Youssef al-Malkawi, reviewed with commander of the third US Army, Tommy Franks, conditions in the region in general and matters of mutual concern, in particular. Go
- Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam on Thursday in Damascus received the chairman of Senegal's National Assembly, Mustafa Kah. Talks dealt with the situation in the region, Arab - African relations and bilateral relations. Kah asserted his country's stand with Syria in its attempt to restore its occupied territories and the Arab rights. Go
- Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani on Wednesday received a telephone call from US Undersecretary of State for Near East Affairs Martin Indyk. The Qatari News Agency said that during the telephone talks the two men reviewed bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual concern. Go
- Well-informed sources at the US Congress said that Senator Arlen Specter will this month hold a Middle East tour which will cover Syria and Israel. The sources added that the Republican senator is eager to take part in reviving Syrian - Israeli negotiations. Go
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