Today's Headlines
- Al-Assad exchanges messages with his French counterpart
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Thursday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine and members of his accompanying delegation. Syria-France, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Egypt: Parliament, government vow to continue reforms,democracy
On Wednesday the Egyptian parliament opened its 10th session, which witnesses exchanged confirmations from the speaker of the parliamentand from Prime Minister Atef Ebeid to maintain full cooperation in order to complete the economic liberalization program. Egypt, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Damascus: Rumors on resignation of al-Zou'bi government
A rumor was widely spread in Damascus that Syrian Prime Minister Mahoumd al-Zou'bi has submitted the resignation of his second government, which he formed in 1992. Syria, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Algerian Islamic official demands to change law on personal affairs
The head of the supreme Islamic council in Algeria, Abd El-Magid Mezyan, stated that the current Algerian family law is injust to women's rights and that it must be revised. He emphasized the importance of changing the law. Algeria, Culture, 11/12/1999
- Arab mediation between Algeria and Morocco
Gulf sources stated today that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab states are trying to mediate to improve the tense relations between Algeria and Morocco, saying that these states exert efforts to achieve an approach between Algeria and Morocco. Regional-Maghreb, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Bouteflika urges support for African women's rights
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the current head for the Organization of African Unity, emphasized the importance of starting the third millennium with the African continent possessing a culture of peace, refusing armed conflicts, and putting off wars to establish stability and fight the continent's problems, which leads to its people's welfare. Algeria, Politics, 11/12/1999
- First member of Israeli Knesset visits Beit El-Shark
Yossi Katz, a member of the Israeli Knesset for the Labor Party, met yesterday in Beit El-Shark (the Orient House) in occupied Arab Jerusalem with Faisal El-Hssueini, a member of the executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Palestinian official in charge of the Jerusalem file. Palestine, Politics, 11/12/1999
- First Arab festival for children's theater in Tunis ends
The first Arab festival for children's theater, which started its works on last Monday, will conclude in Tunis tonight under the slogan "The school in the theater's shadows." Tunisia-Regional, Culture, 11/12/1999
- Report: No Maghreb summit this year
A Tunisian newspaper issued today excluded convening a Maghreb summit this year as planned, saying that it was expected that last October would witness a meeting of the foreign ministers' council of the Arab Maghreb Union council to pave the way for convening the presidential council on level of the countries' leaders, yet this never happened. Tunisia-Maghreb, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Syrian- Turkish security committee to meet at month's end in Damascus
Diplomatic sources in Damascus said the meeting of the Syrian-Turkish security committee will be held on November 29 in Damascus under the leadership of the chairman of the Syrian political security branch, Lt. Gen. Adnan Bader Hassan, and the chief of the Turkish Second Army, Eitash Yalman. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 11/12/1999
- King Abdullah voices backing for Syrian stances
While Saudi Arabia has reiterated support for Syria's stances and its demands concerning the Middle East Peace Process, King Abdullah II of Jordan stressed that the leadership in Syria is "courageous, far-sighted and wise and works with Lebanese brethren to reach peace" Jordan-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Moussa: UNSC resolution 242 applies to Palestinian lands
On a potential Turkish-Israeli military alliance, the Foreign Minister warned against such an alliance which would trigger counter-alliances dragging the region to a cold war. "Egypt will not tolerate the establishment of any military or strategic alliances endangering the Arab national security," Moussa indicated. Egypt, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Lahoud: Peaceful intentions are not shown in aggressions and detentions
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud stated that peaceful intentions are not shown in the "daily aggressions with different assassination style and continuing imprisonment (of Lebanese) in the detention camps." Lebanon, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Moroccan premier disappointed over Israeli premier
Hopes brought about by the election of Israeli Premier Ehud Barak were frustrated, said Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi in an interview with "Radio-Orient." Morocco-Israel, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Youssoufi sees Morocco-Algerian relations in delicate period
Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi said relations between Morocco and Algeria are going through a delicate period. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Khartoum gets American document to partition Sudan, sources
Sudanese political sources said on Thursday that the Sudanese government has obtained an American document containing details of a plan drawn up to partition Sudan. Sudan-USA, Politics, 11/12/1999
- UAE fair in Egypt attest to great investment environment
The Dubai World Trade Center will organize on March 27 - 30 the "UAE in Egypt Exhibition" under the auspices of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Dubai's crown prince and the UAE defense minister. Egypt-United Arab Emirates, Economics, 11/12/1999
- European concern with the Middle East and the peace process
The European Union ambassador in Lebanon, Dimitri Corkolas, asserted Europe's concern with the Middle East and the peace process in it, indicating the European commitment to the peace process through the role played by the special European envoy, Miguel Moratinos, and the positive leanings he finds among all sides. Lebanon-Regional-European Union, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Morocco to take bids on highway construction from private sector
Morocco will launch shortly an international bid call to sell to private operators, for the first time, the building of a highway in northern Morocco. Morocco, Business, 11/12/1999
- World's largest company for phosphates exports gets new chief
King Mohammed VI on Thursday appointed former Finance Minister Mohamed Berrada as new director-general of the phosphates corporation (OCP/state-owned). Morocco, Business, 11/12/1999
- European Union delegation concludes visit to Sudan
A delegation from the European Union authorized to hold a discussion with the Sudanese government regarding relations between the two sides left Khartoum today. Sudan-European Union, Politics, 11/12/1999
- Islamic council applauds lawmakers for recognizing Ramadan
The Islamic Supreme Council of America on Thursday applauded two Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives for introducing legislation to support the issuance of a postage stamp recognizing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Regional-USA, Religion, 11/12/1999
- Some 60 Moroccan and foreign firms in Casablanca food exhibition
Some 60 Moroccan and foreign food firms are taking part in the 6th international foodstuffs and food industry fair that opened in Casablanca. Morocco-International, Economics, 11/12/1999
- Lebanese resistance forces attack four Israeli positions
Israel continued its attacks against villages and towns adjacent to the occupied part of south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 11/12/1999
- EgyptAir disaster answers may be very near
More flight recorder data was made available today about the EgyptAir flight 990 that fell mysteriously from the sky shortly after leaving the New Yok J.F.K. airport. Egypt, Local, 11/12/1999
Short Takes
- Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa stated that Middle East "will not tolerate one nuclear power but may accept the existence of two." In press statements in Cairo yesterday Moussa referred that Middle East may be able to stand two nuclear countries because only one means domination and threat which are unacceptable. He added that the continuing presence of nuclear weapons in the area "pushes us to the necessity of discussing it clearly and placing it on the agenda to discuss the procedures taken concerning it, whether for the right or commitment before the establishment of a new regional system." Go
- The Iranian parliament agreed yesterday on draft resolution that allows use of the organs of the clinically deads. Iranian health officials assured that "the aim of allowing transfer of organs of those whose brain stopped working and are clinically dead - is to fulfill the chronic shortage in organ donation." The draft faced small opposition in parliament especially when the spiritual leader "Ayatullah Ali Khameni" issued a statement allowing it. Go
- U.S. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton reached Jordan as part of a regional tour meeting high officials and organizations. Go
- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak described Syrian President Hafez al-Assad as strong and firm, acting out of responsibility, saying that there is currently a historical chance to establish a peace of the brave with Syria. Israel Radio said Barak said this was stated in Paris following the conclusion of his visit to Paris and after the meetings he held with some leaders of international countries who came to Paris to attend conference of the International Socialist in his answer to journalists' questions regarding resuming Syrian - Israeli negotiations. Go
- Israel has agreed that final status negotiations with the Palestinian Authority will be based on UN Security Council resolution 242 and the land-for-peace principle, CNN reported. Earlier in the week Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak had questioned resolution 242's applicability to the Palestinian territorities. Go
- Morocco has earmarked more than $100 million to assist victims of the floods that hit recently the central province of al-Haouz. Agriculture Minister Habib Malki said his department has worked out a program of rapid intervention to make up for the damage of the floods. Floods hit the region end of last month, damaging 250 hectares of farming lad and more than 95,000 fruit trees. Two people were reported missing. Go
- Morocco has banned the importation of refrigerators and other freezer appliances that use substances that harm the Ozone layer it was officially announced in Rabat. Go
- The Egyptian film "Paradise of Devil" won the prize for best film in the 11th session of the Damascus International Cinema Festival, which concluded yesterday in the Syrian capital and which is specified for countries of Asia, Africa and South America. Go
- Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh hailed the aid presented by the US, the UN and the donor countries to his country in order to help remove the mines planted by the dissenters in summer of 1994. Go
- The number of Moroccans who will perform pilgrimage next year was set at 29,000, the Moroccan Royal Commission in charge of organizing pilgrimage said. Go
- Turkey is witnessing intensive preparations on the security and political levels days before receiving US President Bill Clinton in an official visit that is depicted by Turkish President Suleiman Demirel as being a turning point toward more support for the strategic relations between Ankara and Washington. Go
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