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Today's Headlines
- Arab Gulf states are close to customs unity
The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jamil al-Hujeilan, has asserted that the Arab Gulf states have almost completed customs unity. Gulf, Economics, 11/23/99 - Morocco, Algeria should discuss sahara issue, political leader
Morocco and Algeria should sit around the same table to discuss the Sahara issue, said secretary general of the Istiqlal Party, Abbes El-Fassi. Morocco, Politics, 11/23/99 - Bouteflika discharges information minister and manager of television Algeria, Politics, 11/23/99
- UK to resume full diplomatic relations with Libya
The UK decided to send an ambassador to Libya in the coming month in a step toward resuming full relations between the two countries. Relations were boycotted after the shooting of a British policewoman in front of the Libyan embassy in London. Libya, Politics, 11/23/99 - Members of Ben Barka's family to return to Morocco shortly, press reports
Some members of the family of Mehdi Ben Bark, a Paris-based Moroccan opponent who is missing since 1965, are planning to return to Morocco after having spent 35 years abroad, reported some Moroccan newspapers. Morocco, Politics, 11/23/99 - Algerian Islamic Salvation Front leader assassinated
The Algerian presidency on Monday condemned in a statement the assassination of Sheikh Abdul Qader Hashani, one of the leaders of the banned Islamic Salvation Front (FIS). Algeria, Politics, 11/23/99 - Islamic Salvation Front leadership refuses to accuse any front of assassinating Hachani
Abdelaziz Bel-Khadam, a member of the national rapport committee in Algeria, said the Algerian authorities are not behind the killing of Abdelkader Hachani, saying that this incident is a new obstacle before the civil rapport and the peace aspired to by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Algeria, Politics, 11/23/99 - Moroccan-Algerian relations are tarnished by a mere summer cloud, foreign minister
The crisis in Moroccan-Algerian relations is a "mere summer cloud," said Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco, Politics, 11/23/99 - Moussa to start tour of Britain, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar
Within Egypt's intensive diplomatic activities, Foreign Minister Amr Moussa is to start Wednesday a tour which will take him to Britain, Yemen, Bahrain and Qatar. Egypt, Politics, 11/23/99 - Abu Marzouk: Damascus welcomed expelled Hamas leaders, as visitors
In a statement to the London-based al-Hayat daily following the expulsion of the four Hamas leaders from Jordan, the former chairman of the political bureau of the Hamas Movement, Moussa Abu Marzouq, said, "We were surprised by Jordan's official declaration to expel four of the Hamas leaders and the release of others and keeping them in Jordan." Syria, Politics, 11/23/99 - First Lady Mubarak stresses importance of widening health insurance scale
Addressing the closing session of the two-day national conference on the Declaration of the Second Child Decade (2000-2010), Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak stressed the importance of an integrated family where mother enjoys reasonable share of education and father commits to his family for bringing up healthy children. Egypt, Politics, 11/23/99 - No persons are banned from leaving the country, authorized source says
A Moroccan authorized source denied on Monday the existence of a list of persons banned from leaving the country and that the list has been submitted to the Moroccan borders authorities. Morocco, Politics, 11/23/99 - 800 Iranians cross border passage into Iraq
Iraqi diplomatic sources said yesterday that the only working border passage between Iran and Iraq has been opened since last Sunday nearly a year after its closure to allow Iranian pilgrims to pass. Iraq, Politics, 11/23/99 - Lebanon celebrates independence anniversary
On Monday Lebanon celebrated the 56th anniversary of its independence. Official and popular celebrations were held in all parts of Lebanon. Lebanon, Politics, 11/23/99 - Russian, French presidents back Lebanese rights
Russian President Boris Yeltsin has asserted his country's backing for Lebanon in order to restore its territories and national sovereignty. Lebanon, Politics, 11/23/99 - Indonesian president arrives in Kuwait
New Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid arrived in Kuwait yesterday evening for an official visit at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah at the beginning of a Middle East tour. Kuwait, Politics, 11/23/99 - Sultan Qaboos of Oman confers with Prince Charles of Britain
Sultan Qaboos Bin Said on Oman on Sunday met with Prince Charles, the British crown prince, in the Sultan's Baseih camp installed in the desert to the east of the capital, Muscat. Oman, Politics, 11/23/99 - Syrian-Iranian trade committee meets in Tehran for boosting bilateral ties
The fourth session of the Syrian-Iranian joint committee started on Monday in Tehran. Syria, Politics, 11/23/99 - Al-Bashir may visit Cairo next month
Well-informed sources in Cairo said that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir may visit Cairo next month. On Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said such a visit by the Sudanese president to Cairo "is to be held," but he avoided specifying a date for the visit. Egypt, Politics, 11/23/99 - Arab League sends commission to IGAD summit
An Arab League commission would head to Djibouti next Friday to participate in the summit of East African Inter-Governemental Authority on Development (IGAD), designed to restore order in Somalia. Regional, Politics, 11/23/99 - Qatar bans any activities for Hamas movement leaders
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani has announced that the four Hamas leaders who were expelled from Jordan to Qatar will be prevented from undertaking any political activities in the Qatari territories. Qatar, Politics, 11/23/99 - On Rabin's commitment to withdraw from the Golan
In an article he wrote in the London-based al-Hayat daily published on Monday, British journalist and writer Patrick Seale asserted that former US Secretary of State Warren Christopher "himself" announced after his shuttle between Syria and Israel in the period between July 19 and 22, 1994 that "[former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak] Rabin has committed himself to a full withdrawal from the Golan to the June 4th, 1967 border lines." Syria, Politics, 11/23/99 - Moussa denies the arrival of FBI investigators at Cairo
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa stated that the current investigation to determining the reasons for the crash of EgyptAir flight 990 is still technical and has not yet moved to the criminal frame, denying reports by foreign newspapers that the accident was a suicide attempt and saying that it is absolutely false information. Egypt, Local, 11/23/99 - Euro-Arab conference to tackle water crisis in the next century
The Arab - European studies center will hold a conference on February 21, 2000 in Cairo to discuss the question of "Arab water security." According to official available data, 90% of the Arab lands are situated within arid or semi-arid areas. Regional, Politics, 11/23/99 - Diplomatic discussions between Egypt and Macedonia
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa held a session of prolonged talks with his Macedonian counterpart, Aleksandar Dimitrov, yesterday at the headquarters of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. Egypt, Politics, 11/23/99 - UNGA partition plan makes Palestinian state legally standing
Ahmed Fathi Sorour, Speaker of Egypt's People's Assembly and the Arab Parliamentary Union, said the Palestinian State is legally standing by virtue of the UN General Assembly partition plan of 1947, the same resolution that brought Israel into existence. Egypt, Politics, 11/23/99 - Jordanian king meets with US official on Middle East peace
King Abdullah II of Jordan has asserted the need of reviving the Middle East peace process on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks with the objective of realizing a just and comprehensive peace that provides for returning the Arab rights and lands to their legitimate owners. Jordan, Politics, 11/23/99 - AL chief confers with German defense minister
Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid has warned against the policy pursued by Israel, reflected in continuing its settlement policy, confiscating new Arab lands and violations of Palestinian and Arab people's human rights. Regional, Politics, 11/23/99 - Turkish official starts visit to Morocco
Turkish Minister of State Hasan Gemici started on Monday a four day visit to Morocco for talks with members of the Moroccan Cabinet, including Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi. Morocco, Politics, 11/23/99 - Israeli Knesset member acknowledges right of the Palestinians to return home
Member of the Israeli Knesset for the Labor Party, Yossi Katz, has stated that the Palestinian people have suffered occupation and he asked Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's government to admit being behind the pain and suffering of the Palestinians. Palestine, Politics, 11/23/99 - Shaath accuses Israel of procrastination in implementing its commitment
Palestinian Minister of International Cooperation and Planning Nabil Shaath stated that Israel still procrastinating on implementing the transitional stage, exploiting the beginning of the final status negotiations. Palestine, Politics, 11/23/99 - Iranian palriament speaker tours Morocco and Italy
The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri, will undertake starting Thursday a tour to Morocco and Italy, the Iranian news agency, IRNA, reports. Morocco, Politics, 11/23/99 - Yemeni parliament speaker's son hit in confrontations
Qahtan al-Ahmar, son of the speaker of the Yemeni Parliament, Sheikh Abdullah al-Ahmar, was wounded during an exchange of gunfire at Sanaa airport between his bodyguards and Yemeni security men. Yemen, Local, 11/23/99 - Israel continues attacks against south Lebanon
The Israeli occupation forces on Monday raided twice south Lebanon, and its missiles targeted Jib Sweid, situated between Jibal al-Butoum and Zibqin. The raids resulted in violent explosions. Lebanon, Military, 11/23/99 - Morocco-US private operator gets license to exploit satellite telecommunication networks
"Orbcomm Maghreb" is the first private operator in Morocco to obtain a license for the setting and the exploitation of a public telecommunication network via satellite, with an investment of more than $9 million over 10 years. Morocco, Business, 11/23/99
Short Takes
- Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz said his country is holding consultation with some Arab states to plan for stronger Arab economic cooperation. In press statements yesterday Crown Prince Abdullah depicted this plan as being away from the politics and said that its first role will be for the people. He said the plan must be based on the principles of the joint Arab market and Arab economic unity, as well as on an adjustment in which the economic changes are considered. Go
- A delegation from the Vatican headed by Carlo Maria Ficano, the authorized of the Papal embassies in the world, arrived yesterday in Baghdad to hold discussions with Iraqi officials to prepare for the anticipated visit of Pope John Paul II to Iraq, which is expected to take place at the end of January. The delegation is scheduled to visit the places that Pope John Paul plans to visit in Iraq. Go
- Moroccan Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa started this Tuesday a visit to Egypt for talks with his peer, Amr Moussa. According to Egyptian diplomatic sources, talks between the two foreign ministers will deal with bilateral relations and Arab issues, mainly the evolution of the Middle East peace process. Go
- Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa met on Monday in Damascus with South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Bahdad. Talks dealt with Middle East peace process developments, as well as bilateral relations and means of boosting them in all fields. Go
- Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa discussed with members of the Egyptian economic forum preparing for the first economic conference for the countries of the African COMESA assembly that will be opened by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on February 28. Go
- The secretary general of the Saudi Shoura Council, Hamoud al-Bader, said on Monday in Riyadh that the council has approved an agreement project between Syria and Saudi Arabia in the area of maintaining cooperation in fighting illegal trading in drugs. Go
- The Central Bank of Egypt in its report on the performance of the economy, said the rate of growth went up to 6% against 5.7% in 97198 and the rate of inflation declined to 2.9% annually against 4.5% in 97/98. The report also indicated that the state budget deficit hit 1.3% of the Gross Domestic Production (GDP) whereas the trade balance improved as its deficit dropped to $1.7 billion against 2.5 billion in 97/98. Go
- Syrian Minister of Industry Ahmad Nizameddine has opened a new production line at the General Company of Detergents (SAR). The new production line has a daily production capacity of 50 tons, which is enough to meet the need of the local market and to export the surplus. The company has concluded contracts with some Arab states to export 3,000 tons of detergents at a cost of US $2.3 million. Go
- The Chamber of Advisors (upper chamber of the parliament) has decided not to table questions which were asked by MPs at the House of Representatives (lower chamber). The speaker of the chamber, Mohamed Jalal Essaid, also announced that the two chambers have decided to set up a coordination committee to harmonize their actions. Go
- A session of Canadian - Algerian parliamentary talks was held yesterday in Algeria under the chairmanship of Beshir Bu Meaza, the head of the Algerian State's Council, and Gildas Molgat, chairman of the Canadian Senate, who arrived in Algeria yesterday accompanied by a delegation from the Canadian legislature and a delegation of Canadian businessmen and investors for a one-week visit. Go
- The meetings of the general assembly of the Arab Union of printing, covering and paper industry and the 40th session of the union's board of directors concluded yesterday. Algerian Minister of Industry Abdelmadjid Menasra delivered an address at the opening of the meetings in which he called for establishing an Arab plan to confront challenges posed by globalization. Go
- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday recommended extending the work of UNDOF (the UN Disengagement Forces in the Golan) for another six months. In a report he submitted to the UN Security Council Annan said, "The situation was calm in the said sector and no serious incidents were reported." But the UN chief reiterated that the situation in the region is still dangerous and will continue to be so until a comprehensive settlement is reached covering all aspects of the Middle East question. Go