Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/7/2000

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 7, 2000

• Iraq: USA wants to dominate Iraq, which aspires to real Arab support
  In a special interview with ArabicNews.com during his current visit to Cairo, the Iraqi minister said the crises between Iraq and the USA started two years before the Kuwaiti - Iraqi crises and that the first sanctions resolution on Iraq came in 1988-- two months after the end of the Iraqi - Iranian war. Iraq-Regional-USA, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Canadian - Egyptian discussions to push forward the peace efforts in Sudan Egypt-Sudan-Canada, Politics, 2/12/2000
• A statement by the Egyptian foreign minister before the parliament
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa is to deliver a statement tomorrow before the joint meeting among the committees of Arab and foreign affairs, defense and national security in the Egyptian parliament, during which Moussa will review the political developments currently raised in the regional and international arenas. Egypt, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Yemen denies official contacts with Israel Yemen, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Moroccan king sends message to UAE president United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Al-Sharaa gets a telephone call from Cook
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Friday evening received a telephone call from British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook. The telephone call dealt with the latest developments in south Lebanon and deadlocking the peace process. Syria-UK, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Italian president due to arrive in Cairo on Tuesday
  Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi is due to start a visit to Cairo on Tuesday at the beginning of a 10-day tour of Middle East that is to include Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Syria and Jordan to discuss the peace process developments in the Lebanese arena and infastructure attacks against Lebanon by Israeli jets. Egypt-Italy, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Al-Rawabdeh hails Egypt's efforts in support of the peace process
  Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawbdeh hailed the Egyptian efforts under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak to push forward the peace process in the Middle East. Jordan-Egypt, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Bouteflika starts visit to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-Algeria, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Seizing Islamic cemeteries and turn them into Jewish scared places Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Palestinian minister hopes to hold direct talks with Israel
  Palestinian Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Nabil Amro stated that his country wants to move to the stage holding direct negotiations with Israel concerning the final status, instead of going on in the discussions concerning reaching an agreement framework for this settlement. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Israeli delegation did not attend understanding meeting Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Israel denies reaching agreement to resume negotiations with Syria
  The spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Merav Parsi-Tsadok, denied on Friday that Syria and Israel had initially agreed to resume their negotiations within the coming two weeks. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Lebanon continues diplomatic moves to explain the dimensions of the Israeli aggression
  Lebanese Premier and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss on Friday continued his political moves to explain the dimensions of the recent Israeli air strikes against Lebanon and their results. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Israeli officials statements on Syria and Lebanon
  Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ephriam Sneh has stated that Israel does not call for amending the April Understanding, but for amending a wrong explanation of this understanding, as if it is legalized "to strike the Israeli Army, a matter which is refused from our side." Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Al-Hoss asks Washington to prevent Israel from shelling civil targets in Lebanon
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss asked the USA to prevent Israel from shelling civil targets in Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel-USA, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Moroccan-Wallon joint commission meets in Brussels Monday Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 2/12/2000
• Bouteflika arrives today in Saudi Arabia
  An Algerian diplomatic source in Riyadh said on Thursday that Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will start as from today a visit to Saudi Arabia which will last for three days, his first visit since his election in 1999. Algeria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Arab tour by Arafat Palestine-Regional, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Egyptian, Portuguese foreign ministers's meeting with king Mohammed
  Egyptian and Portuguese foreign ministers, Amr Moussa and Jaime Gama voiced satisfaction over the outcome of their meeting with King Mohammed VI Thursday in Marrakesh. Morocco-Egypt-Portugal, Politics, 2/11/2000
• AL: Israelis are those who will be burnt, not the Lebanese
  The Arab League on Thursday warned Israel against the consequences of its continued attacks against Lebanon and its threats against it. Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Al-Sharaa discusses condition of Palestinian refugees in Syria with UNRWA chief
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa met on Thursday in Damascus with Peter Hansen, the commissioner general of UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency). Syria-Palestine-UN, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Establishing a national council for Egyptian women
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak issued yesterday a republican decision to establish a national council for women, affiliated to the republic's presidency, which includes 30 public personalities that are experienced in women's affairs and the social activity. Egypt, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Lebanon inform Arab, world parliaments on Israeli practices
  The speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri has called on heads of Arab and Islamic and world parliaments to exert their efforts for condemning the Israeli aggression and to maintain solidarity with Lebanon and help it rebuilding what had been destroyed by Israel as well as to pressure Israel in order to abide by UN resolutions because these resolutions are the only way to open the door wide for just and comprehensive peace in the region. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2000
• American hostage freed in Yemen Yemen-USA, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Government ensures a daily follow-up of Moroccan immigrants situation in Spain
  The Moroccan government decided to ensure a daily follow-up of the situation of Moroccan expatriates in Spain following El Egido violent incidents. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/11/2000
• A papal embassy in Kuwait very soon
  The Catholic Church in Kuwait said on Thursday that a papal embassy will be opened in Kuwait which has had diplomatic relations with the state of Vatican since 1968. Kuwait-Vatican, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Barak's mini-Cabinet summit takes secret decisions concerning moves against Lebanon
  The Israeli mini-Cabinet for military and political affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Ehud Barak, concluded on Wednesday its deliberations which were dedicated to the military developments in south Lebanon in light of the recent Israeli military raids against Lebanon in bombarding its infrastructure and electricity generation stations. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Israeli news reports: Barak discusses possibility of resuming negotiations with Syria
  Israeli Army Radio on Thursday said that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday discussed with high-ranking military and civilian officials the possibility of resuming negotiations with Syria. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Jordanian officials, experts warn against danger of the Israeli Dimona reactor
  Jordanian officials and experts have warned against dangers that might be posed to Jordan and other countries from the Israeli Dimona nuclear reactor which was built in al-Negev desert, following news which said that the life span set for 30 years for this reactor which was built at the end of the 1950s has expired Jordan-Regional, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Al-Quds committee denounces israel's expansionist policy
  The Al-Quds committee, stemming from the Organization of Islamic Conference, had condemned Israel's "expansionism" and "warmongering" policies, mainly the settlement policy meant to Judaize the holy city of al-Quds (Jerusalem). Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Chirac informs Lahoud of France's refusal to amend April Understanding
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Thursday received a message from French President Jacques Chirac expressing the French position which supports Lebanon and refused the amendment of the April Understanding. Lebanon-France, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Majority of Israelis favor withdrawal from Lebanon, poll
  A poll made by the Israeli paper Yediot Ahronot said that the majority of Israelis want an Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanon even without a prior agreement with Lebanon or with Syria. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2000
• $735 million in US aid for Egyptian projects Egypt, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Moroccan-Spanish socio-cultural days held in Madrid
  Moroccan-Spanish socioeconomic days are currently held this Feb 9-11 in Madrid to ponder on means to reinforce the process of rapprochement of the two countries' economies through analysis and exchange of views between experts in various areas. Morocco, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Moroccan ambassador to UK presents credentials to queen elizabeth Morocco-UK, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Clinton: comprehensive peace between Lebanon, Syria, and Israel is the only way Regional, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Egyptian communications for convening Afro-European summit in Cairo
  Diplomatic sources in Cairo said that Egypt is currently making intensive communications for convening the Afro-European summit in Cairo during April in association with Algeria, the current head of the Organization of African Unity, and Portugal, current head of the European Union. Egypt, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Mubarak opens Comessa summit
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will open the first economic conference on February 28. Egypt-Africa, Politics, 2/11/2000
• Morocco: Nothing new in our relations with Israel Morocco-Israel, Politics, 2/11/2000
• $13.2 billion in inter-Arab trade, consumptian dominates econommies
  Meetings of the 65th session of the economic and social council on the level of permanent representatives at the Arab League have started in Cairo. Regional, Politics, 2/11/2000
• King Mohammed holds meeting with Egyptian, Portuguese FM, and EU officials
  King Mohammed VI chaired this Thursday a meeting with Egyptian and Portuguese foreign ministers, Amr Moussa and Jaime Gama and the representative of the European Union diplomacy, Javier Solana. Morocco-Egypt-European Union, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Bouteflika assures strength of the Egyptian - Algerian relations
  Algerian President Abdealziz Bouteflika asserted that Egyptian - Algerian relations are historical and strategic and that both states are in joint coordination and communication on all subjects of joint concern. Algeria-Algeria, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Egypt will not ratify CTBT before Israel does
  President Hosni Mubarak received yesterday a message from Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on inviting Egypt to ratify the comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Egypt-Israel-Japan, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Al-Hoss: The Israeli shelling is a Nazi-like crime Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2000
• President of European Parliament promises to inform parliament on Sahara issue
  President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, promised to endeavor to correct information at the parliament on the Sahara issues, particularly on the situation of populations sequestered by the Algeria-backed Polisario secessionists in Tindouf (southwestern Algeria). Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Radi denounces denigration of Morocco in European Parliament
  The raising up of the Sahara issue on a regular basis in the European Parliament by some MPs is no accident but part of a systematic disparagement program meant to run down Morocco and uphold Polisario claims, said the speaker of the House of Representatives Abdelouahed Radi. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Italian FM in Oman Oman-Italy, Politics, 2/10/2000
• US Congressman Coble calls for strengthening U.S. support to Morocco
  US Congressman Howard Coble (republican of North Carolina) called for strengthening of U.S. support for Morocco, that he described as "our oldest friend," and said, "We need to be more aware that this is a real jewel in North Africa." Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Jordan denounces Israeli assault on Lebanon Jordan-Regional, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Mubarak to Paris Match: ME peace tracks deadlocked, internal issues discussed
  Interviewed by "Paris Match" in its Thursday edition, President Hosni Mubarak said the situation in the Middle East remains deadlocked even after Ehud Barak had assumed the premiership in Israel. Egypt, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Germany appreciates Egypt's role Mideast peacemaking
  President Hosni Mubarak yesterday received Wolf Gang Terze, Speaker of the German Parliament (Bundestag) and his accompanying delegation currently visiting Cairo at the invitation of People's Assembly Speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 2/10/2000
• US ambassador in Tel Aviv accuses Hizbullah of threatening peace in the area Lebanon-Regional-USA, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Qatari emir receives Kuwaiti information minister Qatar-Kuwait, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Moroccan human rights organization calls for El Ejido compensation Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Libyan - Afghani discussions
  Libyan leader Colonel Moamer Gaddafi met yesterday evening with an Afghan delegation including representatives of the different factions and parties at his residence in the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, during his current visit to Chad. Libya-Afghanistan, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Bouteflika tomorrow in Riyadh, part of an Arab tour
  Sources at the Algerian presidency said that the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika will start on Friday an official visit to Saudi Arabia in the course of a tour which will also lead him to Qatar and Jordan. Algeria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/10/2000
• New Personal Status Law, compliant with Sharia
  Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak said Wednesday that the long-awaited Alexandria library would come into existence by the end of the year. Egypt, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Tunis hosts Arab journalists workshop on social gender
  A training workshop of Arab journalists on "the integration of the concept of social gender in analysis and urban development planning throughout media" opened works in Tunis on Wednesday. Regional, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Iran's foreign minister discusses with Lebanese premier, Russian FM Israeli aggressions against Lebanon
  Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Wednesday evening made a telephone call to Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss during which he condemned the Israeli attacks against Lebanon and voiced Iran's solidarity with the Lebanese government and people. Lebanon-Iran-Russia, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Report: Israel sends a warning message to Syria
  Sources close to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak have revealed to the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am on Tuesday that Israel had conveyed a severe message to Damascus following the killing of one of its soldiers recently in the occupied part of south Lebanon, so as to be the last warning message for Syria. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Morocco voices concerns over Israel's raids on Lebanon
  Spokesman of the Moroccan foreign department said Morocco regrets that at a time the whole world was expecting a fair and overall solution to the Middle East conflict following the recent detente in the peace process and the launch of the negotiations between Israel and Syria, there is a military escalation in south Lebanon and violation of the April 1996 agreement forbidding raids against civilians. Morocco, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Dennis Ross to arrive in Middle East on Monday
  Dennis Ross, US envoy to the Middle East peace process, is due to arrive in the Middle East on Monday to stop the deterioration in Arab - Israeli relations which has escalated after the continuous Israeli shelling of south Lebanon. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Mubarak asks Israel not to make pre-conditions to withdrawal from Lebanon
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak asked Israel today not to make preconditions for negotiating over the withdrawal from south Lebanon, saying that things are escalating and expressing his hope of resuming peace negotiations on all tracks. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Israel continues settlement operations
  The Israeli government agreed on establishing new housing units for Jewish settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Arab, worldwide condemnation of Israeli aggressions against Lebanon
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid has strongly condemned the Israeli aggression against Lebanon which resulted in killing several innocent people and destroyed Lebanese infrastructure and service utilities. Lebanon-International, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Masalha: Israel has given up the April Understanding
  Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Nawaf Masalha on Tuesday asserted in a statement to Monte Carlo radio that Israel had backtracked from abiding by the April Understanding on the two sides of the Israeli-Lebanese borders, despite the fact that the coordinator of the Israeli occupation activities in south Lebanon, Uri Lubrani, has denied such a backtracking. Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Moroccan-EU concerns over El Ejido racist Events
  The visiting president of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, termed attacks against Moroccan nationals in Almeria (southern Spain) as "tragical" but should not be seen as "a resurgence of racism and xenophobia." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Administrative board of Bayt Mal al-Quds agency convenes in Morocco next week
  The administrative board of Bayt Mal Al-Quds agency (Jerusalem Fund) will hold a meeting in Morocco next week. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Arab Parliamentary Union to discuss common Arab market, Jerusalem and peace
  An official Algerian parliamentary source has announced that all Arab parliaments' members at the Arab parliamentary council had announced their initial consent to take part in the meetings of the 35th session of the 9th conference of the Arab Parliamentary Union due to be held in Algiers on February 19 through 22. Regional-Algeria, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Al-Kosheh incident should not affect Muslim - Christian relations
  Pope Shenouda III, Patriarch of Saint Mark's Diocese, stressed again Egyptian Church's keenness on strengthening Egyptian national fabric which survived lots of obstacles down through the ages. Egypt, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Moroccan premier visits India Feb.20-21
  Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi will be visiting India this February 20-21. Morocco-India, Politics, 2/10/2000
• UAE offers help in cracking down on illegal immigration United Arab Emirates-International, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Starting the election campaign in Iran
  The electoral campaign for the general elections started today in Tehran in which followers of President Mohammed Khatami hope to win an absolute majority over the conservatives. Iran, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Laboratory for controlling Iraqi weapons in Bahrain
  Bahrain has urged the UN to announce whether it will close off its laboratory designated to control the Iraqi weapons. The laboratory has been located in Bahrain since 1991. Bahrain-Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/10/2000
• Turkish Kurdish Workers Party declares stop of armed struggle against Ankara
  The Turkish separatist Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) said that its public conference assured the end of 15 years of armed struggle against Ankara and the party's organization was reformed to reflect this trend. Turkey-Regional, Politics, 2/10/2000
• King Mohammed meets with Turkish foreign minister
  King Mohammed VI of Morocco met yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who delivered him a message from Turkish President Suleiman Demirel. Morocco-Turkey, Politics, 2/9/2000
• King Mohammed receives message from Iraqi president Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Egypt - Bangladesh diplomatic discussions
  Official talks were held yesterday at the headquarters of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry yesterday between Egypt and Bangladesh in which the Egyptian side was headed by Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa the while his Bangladeshi counterpart Abdus Samad Azad, paying a two-day official visit to Egypt, headed the Bangladeshi side. Egypt-Bangladesh, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Lebanese president holds Israel responsible for deterioration of conditions in south Lebanon
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Tuesday held Israel responsible for the deterioration of conditions due to the Israeli attacks against civilian targets. Lebanon, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Algerian president to visit Jordan next week Jordan-Algeria, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Syrian FM talks on the telephone with Lebanese premier, Iranian and Jordanian FMs
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Tuesday spoke on the telephone with Lebanese Premier and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss. The two men exchanged views and information on the Israeli aggressions against Lebanese civilian targets and the human and material losses inflicted in various areas in Lebanon. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Al-Hoss: Lebanon adheres to April Understanding
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss asserted that his country still adheres to the April Understanding and considers it a natural refuge from the Israeli assaults against Lebanon despite Israel's declaration that it is not concerned with April Understanding. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Continuing the Israeli shelling on south Lebanon
  Israeli jets shelled yesterday an 11-floors housing building with two missiles, due to which six citizens were injured while tens of houses were damaged. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Abdul Meguid condemns Israeli assault on Lebanon
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid strongly condemned the Israeli assault on Lebanon due to which innocent civilians were killed and which created wide-ranging destruction in utilities and in the Lebanese basic infrastructure. Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Annan deplores Israeli attack on Lebanon Lebanon-Israel-UN, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Egypt :Israeli civilians are not more privileged than Lebanese
  Egypt Tuesday condemned Israel's aggression on Lebanon, branding it as extremely serious and unacceptable not because they affect peace, but also because they threaten the Lebanese civilian interests. Egypt, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Al-Hoss confers with US ambassador
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss met on Tuesday in Beirut with the US ambassador to Lebanon, David Satterfield. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 2/9/2000
• UAE - Jordanian visit United Arab Emirates-Jordan, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Moussa heads to Algeria today, Morocco tomorrow
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa headed today to Algeria in an official trip and will deliver a written message from the Egyptian president to the Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika then, "He will head to Morocco to deliver King Mohammed VI a message from President Mubarak." Algeria-Egypt, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Russian ambassador in Cairo urges resumption of relations between Iraq and the UN Iraq-Russia, Politics, 2/9/2000
• King Abdullah II: I follow up success of Egyptian economic reforms
  In an interview to "Al-Ahram" newspaper, King Abdullah II of Jordan said that there was no other way for saving the existing opportunity for establishing peace in the Middle East other than working for solving the problems hindering Arab-Israeli negotiations. Jordan, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Defense cooperation between Bahrain, Jordan
  Bahrain's Gulf News Agency has reported that the governments of Bahrain and Jordan signed a protocol on Tuesday in Manama on cooperation in the defense area on the sidelines of the visit made by Jordan's King Abdullah II to Manama. Bahrain-Jordan, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Fourfold Sudanese meeting in Cairo next month Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Hizbullah threatens revenge for attacks on Lebanon
  Hizbullah said in a statement yesterday that, "The resistance will retaliate for these Israeli assaults in the proper time," after Israel attacked civilian and infrastructure targets in Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Cohen to visit Morocco Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Syrian Muslim Brothers media office in Amman closed off
  The general observer for the Muslim brothers in Syria Sheikh Ali Sader eddine al-Bayanouni has said in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday that his movement which opposes Syria had closed its media office in Amman three months ago and transferred its activities to London in light of the improvement of relations between Syria and Jordan. Syria-Jordan-International, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Ramon: negotiations with Syria will not be resumed
  Israeli Cabinet Minister Haim Ramon said on Tuesday that Israel will not resume negotiations with Syria as long as Hizbullah attacks continue against it. Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Saudi crown prince confers with Italian FM
  Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz met on Tuesday in Riyadh with Italian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Lamberto Dini and members of the accompanying delegation, currently visiting Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia-Italy, Politics, 2/9/2000
• President of Italy to visit Egypt next week
  Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and his wife are to begin a three-day visit to Cairo in middle of this month, during which Ciampi will be received by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Egyptian officials topped by Prime Minsiter Atef Ebeid and the ministers of economy, planning, culture, tourism, health, education, transportation and communication. Egypt-Italy, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Saudi, Italian ministers held press conference
  Saudi Minister of Finance and National Economy Ibrahim al-Assaf has described the results of his talks with Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini in the framework of the joint Saudi-Italian committee which concluded its works in Riyadh on Tuesday as very successful, adding that the talks dealt with all aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia-Italy, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Israel informed the US on its operations in Lebanon Israel-Lebanon-USA, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Kuwaiti, French military cooperation Kuwait-France, Politics, 2/9/2000
• French FM continues meetings with Saudi officials
  Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal met on Tuesday in Riyadh with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine and members of the accompanying delegation currently visiting Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia-France, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Jordanians who deal with Israel prevented from entering Syria
  The Jordanian weekly al-Sabil quoted well-informed sources in Amman as saying that the Syrian authorities prevented several Jordanian figures, including journalists, from entering into the Syrian territories due to their relations with the "Zionist enemy," their frequent visits to Israel and their acceptance of official visits to Israel and meeting with its officials. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Kuwaiti dailies warned against criticizing the ruling family
  The seven Kuwaiti dailys on Tuesday published that the Kuwaiti first deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, has warned the local press against criticizing the ruling family. Kuwait, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Barak and the military operation against Lebanon
  Israeli Radio on Tuesday quoted Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak as saying that the military operation carried out by the Israeli Army late Monday night against Lebanon aimed at addressing a message to Syria, Lebanon and the Hizbullah Party in that Israel will not accept the deterioration of conditions resulting from repeated Hizbullah violations of the April Understanding's provisions and that Israel has just tried to put an end to these violations and at the same time will not close the doors before political opportunities. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Egypt hosts Euro-Arab parliamentary conference
  Arab and European parliamentarians opened on Tuesday in Alexandria, Egypt, the Arab-European conference on the role of parliamentary diplomacy in achieving Arab integration. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Vatican appoints representative to Arab League Regional-Vatican, Politics, 2/9/2000
• Peace Process, blocked on all tracks
  Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad yesterday received a message from President Mubarak dealing with bilateral cooperation and ME peace developments at all tracks in the light of the faltering of negotiations. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Hizbullah will continue Lebanese resistance to Israeli occupation
  Hizbullah said the Israeli aggression today on Lebanon will not protect the occupation soldiers in the occupied strip from the resistance and that they will remain a stable target for the fighters' missiles and bombs. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Al-Hoss: Nothing will undermine our position regardless of sacrifices
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss has asserted that the only way to stop violence in Lebanon is the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 425 that provides for Israel's unconditional withdrawal from south Lebanon to the internationally-recognized borders. Lebanon, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Moratinos: No peace in region without Israel's full pullout from the Golan
  The European Union's Middle East peace process special envoy, Miguel Angel Moratinos, has stated that peace in the Middle East is not attainable unless Israel totally withdraws from the Golan. Regional-European Union, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Jordanian king voices backing to Syria and Lebanon Jordan, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Moussa conveys message from Mubarak to al-Assad
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad received Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa on Monday at the Damascus al-Chaab palace. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 2/8/2000
• El-Bashir to head to Qatar
  Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir will head to Qatar at end of the current month. Qatar-Sudan, Politics, 2/8/2000
• The Arab parliaments' consent on participating in the Arab parliamentary Union in Algeria Regional, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Djibouti's government signs agreement with opposition ending hostilities
  The government of Djibouti and the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy in Paris on Monday signed an agreement to halt the state of hostility between the two sides that started at the beginning of the 1990s, and the agreement is supposed to lead to the release of detainees held by the two sides. Djibouti, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Tunisian president confers with Vedrine
  Tunisian President Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali met on Monday in Tunis with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, currently visiting Tunisia. Tunisia-France, Politics, 2/8/2000
• French foreign minister visits Riyadh
  French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine arrived today in Riyadh on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, his second to Riyadh since he took office. Saudi Arabia-France, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Morocco denounces exploitation of isolated murder in Spain
  The Moroccan government denounced the exploitation of a murder of a Spanish woman in El Ejido (southern Spain) by a mentally-disturbed Moroccan to challenge the new Spanish immigration law. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Kuwaiti women's association calls on women to demonstrate
  A women's society on Monday called on the Kuwaiti women to take part in a massive move to be held today in front of voters registration headquarters in the downtown of the capital in order to demand their registration in the records of the Nation's Council (parliament) elections for the year 2003. Kuwait, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Egypt reports to Sudan concerning Egyptian - Libyan initiative
  Egypt informed the Sudanese government of results of the last meetings of the joint Egyptian - Libyan committee assigned to discuss achieving the national reconciliation and comprehensive national discussion according to the Egyptian - Libyan initiative. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Morocco's king sends message to Ukrainian president
  King Mohammed VI has sent a message to President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine, it was officially announced in Rabat. Morocco-Ukraine, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Report: Jordanian authorities ban Syrian Muslim Brothers consultation meeting
  The Jordanian weekly al-Majd said that the Jordanian authorities have banned the Syrian Muslim Brothers in Amman and abroad from convening a meeting of the group's Shoura council in Amman this week. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Saudi-Italian joint committee meets in Riyadh
  Works of the 8th session of the joint Saudi-Italian committee on economic, industrial and trade cooperation, chaired by Saudi Minister of Finance and the Economy Ibrahim Assaf and Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lamberto Dini started in Riyadh on Monday. Saudi Arabia-Italy, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Saudi, Italian FMs meet on bilateral issues
  Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, his Italian counterpart, Lamberto Dini, and members of the accompanying delegation currently visiting Saudi Arabia to chair the Italian side to the meeting of the joint Italian- Saudi committee, on Monday discussed issues of mutual concern between the two countries and means of improving and developing bilateral relations. Saudi Arabia-Italy, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Egyptian ambassador in UK: We follow the investigations and we did not demand handing over the pilot
  Adel El-Gazzar, Egypt's ambassador in the UK, said that Egypt has not presented a formal request to the British authorities to hand over pilot Hamdi Hanafi Taha, who asked for the right of asylum in the UK. Egypt-UK, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Egyptian move to support multilateral negotiations
  Sayed Kasem El-Masri, the Egyptian assistant foreign minister for multilateral international relations, started a series of meetings with ambassadors from the international regional groups ratified in Cairo as he met today in the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry. Egypt-International, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Report: Barak proposes a new formula on border issue with Syria
  The Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am has quoted well-informed sources in Jerusalem as saying on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has conveyed to the US administration a new formula concerning the question of borders with Syria in an attempt made to resume Syrian- Israeli negotiations. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Israeli FM in Tunisia
  Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy on Monday met with the Tunisian minister of state for foreign affairs, Taher al-Sayoud, who started a visit to Israel on Sunday. Tunisia-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2000
• UN negotiates with Sudan to release kidnapped plane
  The UN on Monday announced that its has been negotiating with the Sudanese government in order to release a UN plane held together with its four-member team by a pro-Sudanese government militia in southern Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Arab - Israeli peace group to meet in May
  The Arab - Israeli international alliance for peace decided to convene its second conference for peace in the cities of Tel Aviv and Ramallah in May with the participation of representatives of Arab states that hold offices for commercial representation with Israel. Regional, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Italian police dismantle web of smuggling luxury cars to Maghreb
  The Italian police have dismantled a web that used to steal luxury cars in Italy and smuggle them to Maghreban countries, including Morocco. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 2/8/2000
• Speaker of Bulgarian parliament winds up visit to Morocco
  Speaker of the Bulgarian parliament, Yordan Sokolov, left Morocco Saturday after a five-day visit during which he was received by King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Bulgaria, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Algerian, Djiboutian presidents meet Algeria-Djibouti, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Amr Moussa in Damascus today Syria-Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2000
• El-Bashir: Mubarak mediates between Khartoum and Washington Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Israeli backtracking is clear, peace march should be immediately rescued
  President Hosni Mubarak yesterday held a tete-a-tete session of talks with Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat. Talks between the two leaders, which were later attended by members of the Egyptian and Palestinian delegations, focused on the Israeli credibility regarding peace on the Palestinian track. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Jordanian king visits Bahrain today
  It was announced in Manama on Sunday that Jordan's King Abdullah II will visit the state of Bahrain today at the invitation of Bahraini Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa. Bahrain-Jordan, Politics, 2/7/2000
• King Abdullah calls on Barak to deal seriously with Middle East peace process
  King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday in Amman said that peace in the Middle East will not be durable and comprehensive unless Syria and Lebanon restore their territories. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2000
• A trend to lift house arrest from guide of Al-Adl Wal Ihsane group in Morocco
  Moroccan Government spokesman and Minister of Employment Khalid Aliouat asserted that Sheikh Abd El-Salam Yassin, guide of the extremist fundamentalsit group Al-Adl Wal Ihsane who has been under house arrest for 10 years, must enjoy all rights and freedoms like any Moroccan citizen on the basis accepted by all the Moroccans, especially in the political field. Morocco, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Military cooperation between Greece and Egypt Egypt-Greece, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Fassi-Fihri meets Spanish counterpart Ramon De Miguel Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/7/2000
• The first general federation of women established in Egypt
  Thirty Egyptian women's organizations have decided to establish the first women's federation in the country with the objective of protecting and defending women's rights and debating her causes before the public opinion. Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Chirac's message to Bouteflika
  French President Jacques Chirac has expressed in a message he sent to his Algerian counterpart, Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Saturday his hope of finding a prompt solution to issues suspended between Algeria and France so the countries will be able to withstand challenges awaiting them. Algeria-France, Politics, 2/7/2000
• A message from King Fahd to Yemeni president Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Moroccan premier wishes political detente in Moroccan-Algerian relations
  Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, wished political detente in Moroccan-Algerian relations and the opening of land borders between the two countries. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Kuwaiti- Egyptian committee meets February 21
  The Kuwaiti-Egyptian joint committee started its meetings in Cairo on February 21 under the chairmanship of the two countries' foreign ministers. Egypt-Kuwait, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Ankara: Damascus has committed itself to Adanah agreement
  Turkish Minister of Sate Merza Oglo has told the Turkish English-language daily Turkish Daily News that his country is pleased with Syria's adherence to items of the Adanah agreement signed in October 1998 and that the agreement was a turning point in the relations between the two neighboring states. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Egyptian people oppose religious persecution
  President Mubarak's Political Advisor Osama El-Baz said that Egypt rejects religious hatred and will not allow it. Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Iraqi president sends message to King Mohammed
  Iraqi foreign minister, Mohamed Said Assahaf, arrived in Rabat on Sunday to deliver a message from Iraqi president Saddam Hussein to King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Ministerial committee for refugees discusses yesterday right of return of 700,000 Palestinians
  Meetings of the Palestinian refugee committee which met in the headquarters of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry under the chairmanship of Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and in the attendance of Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul al-Illah al-Khatib, Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Shaath and Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Barak confers with Jordanian king
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak arrived in Amman on Sunday on a short visit to Jordan. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Failure of Arafat-Barak summit, rollback in ME peace process
  Foreign Minister Amr Moussa dubbed the current situation in the Middle East peace process as a major rollback or at least an indication in that direction as far as Israeli commitments were concerned. Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Belgium to grant legal stay documents to 10,000 Moroccans
  Some 10,000 Moroccans will be granted legal stay documents by Belgium which has adopted recently a new law on illegal residents, said Belgian foreign minister, Louis Michel, who paid last week a four-day visit to Morocco. Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Bahraini emir meets with Kuwaiti information minister Bahrain-Kuwait, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Ali Douba retired
  Chairman of the Syrian military intelligence Lt. Gen. Ali Douba has retired because he reached the age of retirement and his deputy, Lt. Gen. Hassan Khalil was assigned the task of this post. Syria, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Turkish foreign minister on three-day visit to Rabat
  Turkish foreign affairs minister Ismail Cem started Sunday a three-day state visit to Morocco at the invitation of counterpart Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-Turkey, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Moussa's speech in Moscow Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Jordanian opposition calls for Arab economic bloc Jordan, Politics, 2/7/2000
• European parliament president visits Morocco Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/7/2000
• On gunmen operations in Algeria
  Since 1992 so far, Algeria witnessed some 6,040 armed operations that have resulted in the deaths of 100,000 persons, damaging 11,900 establishments which cost the state's general budget in Algeria a sum of 25 billion Algerian dinars, according to the Algerian daily al-Khabar. Algeria, Politics, 2/7/2000
• Al-Majali: No boycott of inter-parliamentary conference because of Israel's participation
  Speaker of the Jordanian Parliament Abdul Hadi al-Majali has ruled out the Jordanian members of parliament boycotting the works of the Inter-Parliamentary Union due to be held in Amman on April 30 because of Israeli participation. Jordan, Politics, 2/7/2000

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