Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/21/2000

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 21, 2000

• Syria asks for reasons behind Jospin 's statement Syria-Lebanon-France, Politics, 2/26/2000
• El-Bashir affirms legislation and Taha declares the possibility of separating between religion and state
  Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir affirmed his adherence to applying Islamic legislation in Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Trilateral summit between Egypt, Morocco and Algeria in April
  Egyptian sources stated that the African - European summit that will be held in Cairo in April will witness a trilateral summit comprising Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, King Mohammed VI of Morocco and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Regional-Algeria, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Sheik Mahfuz Nehnah: Terrorists' refusal for civil reconciliation is due to lack of confidence in the president and their horrible crimes
  Sheikh Mahfuz Nehnah, head of the Algerian Movement of a Peaceful Society, stated that the civil rapport made by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will not work unless promoted to handle terrorism. Algeria, Politics, 2/26/2000
• 5,000 women raped by the terrorists in Algeria, six slain in Ain Defla province Algeria, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Mubarak receives written message from El-Bashir
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received today a written message from Sudanese President Omar Hassan El-Bashir that was delivered by the Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael, who arrived yesterday in Cairo. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Israeli Knesset member and the Syrian track Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Jospin tries to justify his statements
  In an attempt to eliminate the adverse impact of his statements, the French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, who justified Israel's aggressions against the infrastructure in Lebanon and described it as a reaction to operations carried out by the Lebanese national resistance which he considered as terrorists said today that his policy concerning Lebanon is identical to the main principles on the ground of which the French policy is run. Lebanon-France, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Orators in Syrian mosques denounce aggressive Israeli statements
  Orators in Syrian mosques denounced yesterday the declaration made by Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Damascus: limited changes in the coming government
  Consultations continue in Damascus over the expected Cabinet reshuffle in a to merge the current government presided over by Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi and several young Baathists and technocrats in the framework of "a change in the framework of continuity" or say "gradual openness." Syria, Politics, 2/26/2000
• GCC foreign ministers to meet on March 10 Gulf, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Lebanon protests French premier's statement describing Lebanese resistance as terrorism
  A Lebanese official source on Friday stated that Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss earlier in the day summoned the French ambassador to Lebanon, Philippe Le Ceurtier, and informed him of Lebanon's complaint over the statements made by French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin in Israel on Thursday. Lebanon-France, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Visit to Thailand, India was successful, Youssoufi
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi said Friday that his visit to Thailand and India was a success. Morocco, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Ross arrives in Amman today Jordan-USA, Politics, 2/26/2000
• El-Baz statements on the Pope's visit to Cairo
  The political advisor to the Egyptian president, Osama El-Baz, has underlined the current visit paid by Pope John Paul II to Egypt, saying it is the Pope's conviction that the logic of peace should prevail the region on the grounds of justice and international legitimacy rather than imposing fait accompli by means of force. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Armed attack on house of Iraqi deputy prime minister
  Iraqi sources stated yesterday that the home of Mohammed Hamza El-Zebaidi, the Iraqi deputy prime minister, was exposed to an armed attack by unknown people. Iraq, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Spanish census excludes Polisario leaders from Sahara referendum lists, Spanish expert
  Polisario leaders themselves would be excluded from the self-determination referendum the United Nations is trying to hold in the Sahara, if the 1974 Spanish census of Sahrawi population is adopted as a reference for drawing voters lists, a Spanish historian said. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Indian Communist Party ready to reconsider Polisario recognition, Moroccan MP
  The Indian Communist Party is ready to reconsider its recognition of the Polisario, a Moroccan deputy said. Morocco-India, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Accusations exchanged between El-Bashir and Turabi once again
  The race of the exchanged declarations and symposiums between Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir and Hassan Turabi moved from Khartoum to Sudan's large cities, as Turabi spoke in Wad Madani city and launched an attack on the government for abandoning its Islamic slogans. Sudan, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Sudanese FM in Cairo to arrange for a meeting between al-Bashir, opposition
  Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael will start an official visit to Cairo to make consultations with the Egyptian leaderhsip on arranging a meeting between President al-Bashir and the Sudanese opposition leaders-- including al-Sadeq al-Mahdi, Muhammad Othman al-Merghani, and Gen. John Garang-- in the context of the Egyptian- Libyan initiative to achieve reconciliation in the country. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Efforts to settle conditions between Eritrea, Ethiopia
  The representative of the Organization of African Unity, Ahmad Ouyahia, and Tony Leak, the representative of US President Bill Clinton, met on Thursday in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and discussed means of implementing the peace plan proposed by the OAU to eliminate the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Eritrea-Ethiopia-OAU, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Indonesian president will not visit Israel
  Indonesian Foreign Minister Alawi Shehab stressed on Friday that Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid had decided not to go to Israel next April. Israel-Indonesia, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Syria welcomes Turkish initiative to start discussion on water
  Syrian Minister of Irrigation Abdul Rahman Madani welcomed in special statements to Al Ahram Egyptian newspaper today said the Turkish initiative concerning holding a joint discussion between Syria, Iraq and Turkey to agree on a fair distribution of the waters of the Euphrates river and dividing these water among the three countries sharing this international river. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Arafat in Cairo today to discuss peace developments in the area
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is to arrive tonight in Cairo to hold talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak concerning the latest developments in the peace process and the current impasse. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Symposium to discuss future of Egyptian - European relations
  The European Union's mission in Cairo is organizing in association with the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies on Tuesday a three-day symposium with the title, "Europe between today and tomorrow." Egypt-European Union, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Report: Fate of SLA militia members after Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon
  The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot said on Friday that it is probable that members of the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army militia will be transferred from south Lebanon to Cyprus when the Israeli army withdraws from south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Polisario has never been Sahrawis' legitimate representative, sociologist says
  The Polisario has never been the Sahrawis' legitimate representative, a Spanish sociologist said. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Turkish foreign minister in Cyprus today
  Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem headed today to the Turkish side of the island of Cyprus, where he held talks with Raouf Bin Taj, leader of the Turkish Cypriots, that tackled the latest developments concerning the issue of Cyprus. Turkey-Cyprus, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Barak and the withdrawal from south Lebanon
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said he is trying to reach an agreement concerning the withdrawal from south Lebanon during the period of time left until the date he set for such a withdrawal in July, saying that such an agreement will minimize casualties among the Israeli soldiers. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/26/2000
• New ambassador presents credentials to Panama president
  President Mireya Moscoso of Panama received the credentials of Mohamed Maa-Al-Ainin, Morocco's new ambassador to Columbia, Panama and Ecuador. Morocco-Panama, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Conference on democratic transition in Africa ends
  The international conference on the impact of national conferences and democratic transition in Africa ended Wednesday with an appeal for securing the rule of the law and good governance. Regional, Politics, 2/26/2000
• Egypt Condemns David Levy's Statements Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Opening the economic summit COMESA on Monday Regional-Egypt, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Mubarak will visit Washington on 22nd of coming March Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Moroccan Premier Ends Visit to India Morocco-India, Politics, 2/25/2000
• King Mohammed receives cote d'Ivoire's minister of security
  King Mohammed VI received in Rabat Thursday Cote d'Ivoire's minister of state in charge of security, General Lassana Palenfo, who was accompanied by his country's ambassador to Morocco, Daouda Diabate. Morocco, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Lionel visits Gaza tomorrow Palestine-France, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Russian military delegation holds talks in Damascus
  The Syrian deputy commander in chief of the army and armed forces, deputy premier and defense minister, Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass, on Thursday received the chairman of the international military cooperation department at the Russian Defense Ministry, Col. Lioned Ivashov, and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Russia, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Al-Shara confers with Raban, Moratinos on current ME conditions
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Thursday made a telephone call to Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss during which he conveyed Syria's welcome to convening the meetings of the ordinary session of the AL council on the level of foreign ministers in Beirut on March 11. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Swiss foreign minister starts visit to Egypt tomorrow Egypt-Switzerland, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Changes in the Algerian army covered 14 high ranking army officers
  The Algerian presidency has announced that in his capacity as minister of national defense, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika made on Thursday a series of sudden amendments to the military establishment that targeted some 14 senior army officers. Algeria, Politics, 2/25/2000
• European Union hails the partnership relations with Tunis Tunisia, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Wide condemnation for Levy's statements to set Lebanon ablaze
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss has condemned the aggressive statements made by Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Egypt participates in meetings of the African ministerial council in Adis Ababa Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/25/2000
• US criticizes Levy
  The US on Thursday criticized Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy due to the statements he made before the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday in which he threatened to burn the Lebanese territories if the Lebanese resistance attacks the Israeli occupation forces in south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel-USA, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Political leaders denounce Islamist's allegations
  Several Moroccan political leaders have decried the memorandum, published recently by leader of Al-Adl Wa Al-Ihsane association (Justice and Spirituality/unauthorized), Abdeslam Yassine, and described it as an ill-intentioned tactic meant to destabilize Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Moroccan religious scholars decry Islamist leader's letter
  Moroccan religious scholars have decried the content of an open letter published by Sheikh Abdeslam Yassine, leader of the non-authorized Al-Adl Wa Al-Ihssane Association (Justice and Spirituality). Morocco, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Concluding meetings of the joint committee between Iraq and Belarus Iraq-Belarus, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Russian foreign minister visits Egypt on 4th of coming March Egypt-Russia, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Report: Water and terrorism issues to be discussed between Syria and Turkey
  The Turkish daily Millet said on Thursday that Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has agreed that the round of talks which will be held in Damascus at the beginning of March for the first time will address the question of water and the issue of fighting terrorism. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Mubarak heads summit on the 15th in Cairo in coming June
  The Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak will head the 10th summit for "Group of 15" (G 15) that will be convened on 16th and 20th of coming June. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Arab water security conference stresses restoration of the Golan to June 4, 1967 border lines
  The eighth conference of the Arab water security has asserted Syria's legitimate right to restore the whole of the Golan to the June 4, 1967 border lines, stressing Syria's right to have control of its water resources, in general. Regional, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Pope John Paul in Cairo stress just Middle East peace
  Pope John Paul II has expressed his hope that good intentions will prevail in the Middle East to achieve justice and peace to be attained by the peoples of the region. Egypt-Vatican, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Fontaine: Israel does not want peace
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Thursday in Beirut received the chairperson of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, and members of her accompanying delegation. Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Several persons detained in Yemen, charged of acts of destruction Yemen, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Oppressive imprisonment sentences against Syrian youths from Baqatha
  The Israeli central court in al-Nasera has released prison sentences against a group of Syrian youths from Baqatha town in the occupied Syrian Golan under the charges of resisting the Israeli occupation and carrying out resistance operations against its establishments. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Foreign minister of Philippines visits Egypt to boost cooperation Egypt-Philippines, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Jordanian royal decree accepts the resignation of Planning minister
  A royal decree was issued in Amman on Thursday accepting the resignation of Rima Khalaf, the deputy premier and minister of planning, as of Thursday and appointing as her successor Muhammad al-Halaeyka, who is the current minister of commerce and industry, as an acting minister for planning. Jordan, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Majority of Jordanian parliamentarians call for implementing al-Sharia rules
  Some 55 Jordanian parliamentarians called for implementing the provisions of Islamic Sharia in the kingdom. They also called on the Jordanian government to draw up a clear timetable for implementing these provisions, on the grounds of the Jordanian constitution which states, "Islam is the religion of the state." Jordan, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Mubarak's Lebanon visit, important
  "President Hosni Mubarak's visit to Lebanon has a political significance and is regarded as a bold development in the Egyptian stance as Egypt has a weight at the Arab and international levels," Egyptian People's Assembly Speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour told the Egyptian Community on Thursday. Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Clinton: We should consider ideas regarding easing sanctions Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/25/2000
• Report: Al-Shara expected to chair next Syrian government
  Well-informed sources told the London-based al-Hayat daily that the regional leadership of the ruling Baath Party in Syria met during the two past days under the chairmanship of the assistant secretary general of the party, Suleiman Qaddah, just a few days after a meeting presided over by President Hafez al-Assad during which the framewark was drawn up to reshuffle the government of Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi. Syria, Politics, 2/24/2000
• King Abdullah telephones Lahoud
  King Abdullah of Jordan on Wednesday telephoned Lebanese President Emile Lahoud. King Abdullah stressed Jordan's backing for the "brothers" in Lebanon after the recent Israeli aggressions. Jordan-Lebanon, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Pope John Paul II starts his first visit today to Egypt
  Pope John Paul II of the Vatican starts his first visit to Egypt today, which will last for three days during which he will meet with President Mubarak, Pope Shenuda and Sheikh Mohammed Hassan Tantawi of Al Azhar. Egypt-Vatican, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Qrei: Ross did not present any new suggestions Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Failure in agreement with Egypt to extend gas and electricity networks to Israel
  US Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson failed yesterday to reach an agreement with the Egyptian government and Ministries of Electricity and Petroleum to implement a project to transport Egyptian gas to Israel and join Israel to the Arab electric link project. Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Mubarak gets a message from US President Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Moroccan-Egyptian high joint commission convenes in Cairo in May Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Sudanese sources expect Egyptian ambassador's arrival in Khartoum soon
  Sudanese sources in Cairo asserted that Khartoum expects the Egyptian ambassador's arrival during the coming weeks, telling ArabicNews.com that this step is considered a topping for the great improvement which took place in Sudanese - Egyptian relations recently, which included a visit by Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir to Cairo and his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Youssoufi urges Moroccan, Indian businessmen to set up joint ventures
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi on Wednesday urged Moroccan and Indian businessmen to explore new partnership fields and set up joint ventures. Morocco-India, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Chief of the EU parliament confers with Jordanian King
  The chairperson of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, currently visiting Jordan, has asserted that the European Union has not changed its position over East Jerusalem and that the EU does not consider this part of the city under Israeli sovereignty. Jordan-Regional-European Union, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Sultan of Oman gets Turkish message
  Sultan Qaboos of Oman on Wednesday received a message from Turkish President Suleiman Demirel connected to the Turkish celebration of the 700th anniversary of the Ottoman's scientific and cultural heritage. Oman-Turkey, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Sudan announces abrogation of al-Tawali law
  The Sudanese Ministry of Justice on Wednesday announced official abrogation of al-Tawali political law and replacement of it by the political parties and organizations law. Sudan, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Members of Chilean chamber of representatives in Morocco
  A delegation from the Chilean chamber of representatives starts this Thursday a working visit to Morocco at the invitation of speaker of the Moroccan chamber of representatives (lower house of the parliament), Abdelouahed Radi. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Moussa meets with Ross on peace talks
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa met with Dennis Ross, the US peace envoy in the Middle East, who arrived in Cairo today for a quick visit in his current tour of the Middle East. Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Saudi crown prince gets a telephone call from Bahrain's Emir Saudi Arabia-Bahrain, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Lebanese premier gets message of support from French counterpart
  Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Wednesday received a message from French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin dealing with the current situation in Lebanon following the recent Israeli aggression. Lebanon-France, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Al-Shara to hold an Arab tour
  The Saudi daily Okaz reported on Wednesday that Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa will visit Saudi Arabia in the course of a tour he will make of several Arab capitals of concern to the Middle East peace process. Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Saudi crown prince confers with Gulf oil ministers
  Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on Wednesday in Riyadh received oil ministers in the Gulf Cooperation Council members states, who are holding their 23rd conference at the GCC's general secretariat in Riyadh. Gulf-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Damascus assures being not in a hurry for peace ratification
  Damascus stated today that it is not hurrying to resume its negotiations with Israel, saying it believes this resumption will never be achieved unless Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's government frankly announces a withdrawal to the June 4, 1967 borders. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/24/2000
• AL council to be held in Lebanon, March 11 and 12 in solidarity with the Lebanese people
  Lebanese Premier Salim al-Hoss on Wednesday welcomed the convening of the next meeting of the Arab League council on the level of the foreign ministers on March 11 and 12 in Beirut. Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Moroccan MPs expound Sahara issue to Indian peers
  Moroccan MPs accompanying Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi on his official visit to India, on Wednesday expounded to Indian peers the issue of Moroccan Sahara. Morocco-India, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Arab members of Israeli Knesset argue against aggressions on Lebanon
  The Israeli Knesset on Wednesday witnessed tough wrangling between Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy and Arab members of the Israeli Knesset over the Israeli recent strikes against Lebanese civilian installations. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Report: Peace talks to resume very soon
  Western diplomatic sources have expected that Syrian-Israeli negotiations will be resumed following the vacation of Eid al-Adha in the middle of March. Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Arab Parliamentary Union calls for common Arab market
  The Arab Parliamentary Union (APU), which held its 9th congress in Algiers earlier this week, called Arab governments to materialize the projected creation of a common Arab market and an Arab free trade area. Regional, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Palestinian Hamas says it will continue its operations against Israel
  The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement said that its campaign against the Israeli security forces did not cause harm, but it undertook resuming the resistance, saying that the detentions will not affect the resistance. Palestine, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Yemeni message to Abdul Meguid
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid received a written message from Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdul Qader Bajmal that assures Yemen's readiness to coordinate between the Yemeni initiative concerning a mechanism, of the systematic periodic convening of the Arab summit and his suggestions which contribute to crystallizing joint Arab work. Yemen, Politics, 2/24/2000
• President Saleh denies Saudi Arabia's occupation of a mountain in Yemen
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Wednesday denied reports saying that the Saudi forces occupied a strategic mountain in the Yemeni territories. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Lebanese territories seized by Israel since 1938
  A Lebanese citizen has submitted to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry documents which prove his ownership since before the 1940s of lands of an area of 3,000 square kilometers that is at the present situated near the international borders between Israel and Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/24/2000
• German court agrees on handing over extremists to Egypt Egypt-Germany, Politics, 2/24/2000
• New statistics on Iraqi deaths under UN embargo
  The Iraqi Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday that some 11,000 Iraqis died in January this year, bringing the number of Iraqis who have died since the beginning of the embargo imposed on Iraqi since 1990 to 2.173 million. Iraq, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Japan conducts feasibility study on water resources promotion in Morocco
  The study, to be completed in 20 months, seeks to devise water resources development plans, especially regarding medium-size dams, to set the priorities, assess the costs and select the projects likely to be financed by international or national financial institutions. Morocco-Japan, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Heads of Turkish municipalities accused of supporting the Kurds
  A Turkish court addressed the charge of supporting the Kurds' dissent against three elected heads of municipalities in southeast Turkey. Turkey, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Moroccan-Japanese parliamentary cooperation probed in Tokyo
  A delegation from the chamber of advisors (upper house of the Moroccan parliament) paid a visit to Japan earlier this week where it probed with Japanese officials and MPs means to enhance economic cooperation. Morocco-Japan, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Mubarak congratulates Khatami on reform movement's election victory
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak expressed his confidence that the public support which Iranian President Mohammed Khatami attained will be his support in his efforts to achieve progress for the Iranian people. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Iraqi, Iranian immigrants apply for political asylum
  Some 61 immigrants from Iraq and Iran arrested by the Indonesian police on February 15 while trying to slip into Australia were trying to seek political asylum in Britain, Australia and the United States. Iraq-Iran-International, Politics, 2/24/2000
• Yemeni draft for convening Arab summit systematically Yemen-Regional, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Al-Assad confers with Italian prime minister
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Tuesday received at Damascus's al-Chaab palace Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema and members of his accompanying delegation. Syria-Italy, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Algerian president receives Moroccan sports minister Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Baz visits Lebanon soon
  "Presidential Political Advisor Dr. Osama Al-Baz is due to visit Lebanon in two weeks to follow up the implementation of President Hosni Mubarak's initiative during his lightning Saturday's visit to Labanon for the reconstruction of power plants," Al Diar newspaper said Tuesday. Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Egypt, Germany probe means of boosting bilateral trade
  President Hosni Mubarak stressed the significance of boosting cooperation with Germany for the sake of development whether at the state level or private sector. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Syrian - Italian talks stress bilateral cooperation, backing for Middle East peace
  A round of talks was held on Tuesday evening between Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi and his Italian counterpart, Massimo D'Alema. Syria-Italy, Politics, 2/23/2000
• India, Morocco sign cooperation agreements
  India and Morocco Tuesday signed three cooperation agreements in energy and mines, communications and transport and decided to give a new impetus to bilateral ties. Morocco-India, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Kuwait ready to attend any Arab summit, even with Iraq
  Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah has told Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss of his country's political and financial backing for Lebanon in confrontation of the repeated Israeli aggressions against the Lebanese people and installations. Kuwait-Lebanon, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Syrian foreign minister to visit Jordan Jordan-Syria, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Qaddoumi and Habashi call for stopping negotiations with Israel Palestine, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Arab MPs call spain to withdraw from Moroccan cities
  Arab parliamentarians, who held the 9th congress of their union in Algiers, called Spain to withdraw from Sebta and Mellilia, two Moroccan cities it still occupies on the Mediterranean coast. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 2/23/2000
• French premier to visit Israeli, Palestinian territories Palestine-Israel-France, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Al-Sharaa holds telephone talks with al-Hoss, Ivanov
  Lebanese Premier and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss on Tuesday spoke on the telephone with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa. Syria-Lebanon-Russia, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Yemen reiterates refusal to establish relations with Israel
  The speaker of the Yemeni Parliament, Abdullah al-Ahmar, has reiterated his country's opposition to establishing relations with Israel until a just and comprehensive peace is achieved in the region, a peace that can bring back the lands and rights to their owners. Yemen, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Arab League to meet in Beirut in support of lebanon
  In a first initiative of the kind, the Arab League has chosen to hold its ministerial council next March 12-13 in Lebanon to support the host country in the face of Israeli raids. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Egyptian ambassador commends Vatican's backing for Palestine's cause Egypt-Vatican, Politics, 2/23/2000
• US source denies Israel obtainment an advanced nuclear technology
  A US diplomatic source denied to ArabicNews.com reportss which said that the USA will allow Israeli scientists freedom to research US nuclear technology, saying that there is no intention to present nuclear technology to the Israeli government because the US government objects to this on political and legal bases. Regional-Israel-USA, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Mubarak to receive Pope John Paul II
  President Mubarak will receive Pope John Paul II of Vatican, who is expected in Cairo on Thursday. The talks will focus on the Middle East peace process, future of the regain and bilateral relations. Egypt-Vatican, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Iraq criticizes oil-for-food program
  Iraq said yesterday that the resignation of two UN officials this month came because they saw that the UN oil-for-food program did not fulfill Iraq's needs and that it is not an alternative to lifting the sanctions. Iraq-International, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Aziz welcomes call of US congress members to ease sanctions on Iraq
  Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Aziz the welcomed the call addressed by 70 members of the US Congress in which they asked US President Bill Clinton to lift the economic part of the sanctions imposed on Iraq for 10 years. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Palestinian water minister: Israel exploits 80% of the West Bank's water
  Palestinian Water Minister Nabil El-Sherif asserted that Israel exploits nearly 80% of the West Bank's and Gaza strip's water, saying in an interview with ArabicNews.com that, "Israel must give us nearly between 475 and 500 million cubic meters," asserting that Israeli pressures the Palestinians to desalinate the sea water. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Norway official starts visit to Morocco
  Norway's secretary of state for foreign affairs, Wegger Christian Strommen, is expected this Wednesday in Morocco on a two-day visit. Morocco-Norway, Politics, 2/23/2000
• India fully grasps Sahara issue, youssoufi
  Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi said Tuesday India now fully understands the issue of the Moroccan Sahara after its political class was given full explanations on the issue. Morocco-India, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Egypt vows to renovate its economy
  Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid has asserted his country's commitment to a just and comprehensive peace and to work for achieving it in the Middle East on all tracks, adding that a just and comprehensive peace is a strategic option for the Egyptian people and leadership. Egypt, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Israeli minister expects negotiations to resume soon with Syria Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Ross: There are difficulties facing the peace process Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Sports cooperation between Libya, Algeria and Iraq Libya-Algeria, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Sudanese, Iranian economic relations reviewed
  Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Tuesday discussed with Sudanese Foreign Ministry secretary Hassan Abidin discussed economic and cooperation relations between the two countries. Sudan-Iran, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Clinton says conflicts are inimical to Africa-US ties
  US President Bill Clinton has warned that the continued fighting in Africa will affect America's future cooperation with Africa. Regional, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Berri: The Lebanese resistance is not only Hizbullah
  Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri asserted that his country needs a neutral arena in which to declare facts about the Israeli attacks on his country. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Moroccan political parties denounce El-Egido racist acts
  Several Moroccan leftist parties and organizations have denounced the violent acts against Moroccans settled in the southeastern Spanish city of El-Egido as "criminal, racist and xenophobe aggressions." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Napoli hosts first Euro-Mediterranean forum of women mps in march Regional-Italy, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Moroccan teachers on two-day strike
  Moroccan teachers are observing this Wednesday and Thursday a 48-hour strike to support a series of claims. Morocco, Politics, 2/23/2000
• Report: Sudanese president to dissolve the ruling National Congress Party
  The Sudanese Akhbar al-Youm newspaper has quoted Sudanese political sources as saying that President Omar al-Bashir will dissolve the ruling National Congress Party. Sudan, Politics, 2/23/2000
• UAE president gets a message from Bahraini counterpart United Arab Emirates-Bahrain, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Qatar, Bahrain for amicable solution to border conflict
  Qatar and Bahrain on Monday decided to find a solution to their border disputes and strengthen economic, financial and commerce cooperation. Bahrain-Qatar, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Mubarak speaks on the telephone with UAE President, Saudi crown prince
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday made telephone calls to the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan, and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Mubarak confers with Kuwaiti foreign minister
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday in Cairo received Kuwait's deputy premier and foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Egypt's foreign minister, Amr Moussa, attended the meeting. Egypt-Kuwait, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Mubarak meets German president
  President Hosni Mubarak yesterday received German President Johannes Rau who arrived in Cairo on a five-day official visit. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 2/22/2000
• D'Alema visits Amman and Damascus
  Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema arrived on Monday in Amman in an official visit which will last for two days, during which he will hold talks on backing economic cooperation between the two countries and the latest developments concerning the Middle East peace process. Jordan-Italy, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Jordanian king condemns Israeli strikes against Lebanon
  King Abdullah II of Jordan has condemned the recent Israeli attacks against the Lebanese civilian installations, saying that these strikes are not justified. Jordan-Lebanon, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Al-Sharaa confers with PLO official
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Monday in Damascus received the chairman of the PLO political department, Farouk Qaddoumi, and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Jordanian premier confers with Italian minister
  Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh has asserted Jordan's desire to give the Middle East peace process a push forward to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region. Jordan-Italy, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Algerian president receives Moroccan speaker
  Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, received here on Monday speaker of the Moroccan house of representative (lower house of parliament), Abdelouahed Radi. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Italian prime minister arrives in Damascus today Syria-Italy, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Jordanian premier confers with outgoing Syrian charge d'affairs
  Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh on Monday in Amman received the Syrian charge d'affairs in Amman, Wahib Jaber, on the occasion of ending his term of office in Jordan. Jordan-Syria, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Bouteflika addresses Arab Parliamentary Union
  Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika yesterday addressed the Arab Parliamentary Union meeting in Algeria, discussing a number of local, regional and international issues. Regional-Algeria, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Egypt welcomes the visit of Vatican pope to Cairo Egypt-Vatican, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Moroccan premier arrives in New Delhi
  Moroccan Premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, arrived in New Delhi Monday for a four-day official visit at the invitation of Indian peer, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Morocco-India, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Moussa met with US ambassador in Cairo Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Swiss FM: Egypt, key partner
  In his interview with 'Al-Ahram' daily, Swiss Confederation FM J. Dyce lauded Egypt's key role in the ME, affirming that Egypt has contributed much to bringing about development in the Middle East. Egypt-Switzerland, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Kuwaiti FM arrives in Beirut today
  Lebanese official sources on Monday said that Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah will arrive today in Beirut on a one -day official visit to Lebanon. Lebanon-Kuwait, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Kuwaiti foreign minister heads to Lebanon Regional-Kuwait, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Kuwaiti defense minister confers with Lebanese, French military men
  Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Salem al-Sabah met on Monday in Kuwait with the chief of staff of the Lebanese Army, Lt. Gen. Samir al-Qadi. The Kuwaiti Army's chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Ali al-Moumin, and the Lebanese ambassador to Kuwait attended the meeting. Kuwait-Lebanon-France, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Tunisian opposition prepares for municipal elections in May
  The political parties in Tunisia are getting ready to enter the municipal elections that will be held during May with the same enthusiasm with which they went into the parliamentary elections in October. Tunisia, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Report: Israel instigates USA to stop its aid to Egypt Egypt-Israel-USA, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Mubarak gives directives for repairing Lebanese power plants
  "President Hosni Mubarak has decided that repairing the Lebanese power plants damaged by the recent Israeli raids should start immediately," Information Minister Safwat Al-Sherif said on Monday. Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Thai MP delegation in Morocco
  Ways to boost Moroccan-Thai cooperation ties topped talks held in Rabat on Monday between first vice-speaker of the Moroccan house of representatives (lower house of parliament), Abdelaziz Alaoui Hafidi, and a Thai mp delegation. Morocco-Thailand, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Mordechai, in Amman, defends the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon
  Israeli Transport Minister Yitzhak Mordechai has defended the recent Israeli air raids against civilian installations in Lebanon and considered them as having positive results in halting the escalation by the Lebanese resistance against Israel. Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Yemen: We do not mind US mediation to solve border problem with Saudi Arabia
  Official Yemeni sources said the Yemeni government welcomes the mediation spoken of by Edward Walker, the US under secretary of state for Near East affairs, to solve the border problem between the two countries to reach a direct friendly solution or through resorting to international arbitration. Yemen-Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Turabi refuses idea of separating between religion and the country in Sudan
  Hassan Turabi, the head of the dissolved Sudanese Parliament, refused the idea of separating between religion and the country and accused those urging for it of being "nonbelievers in God." Sudan, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Concluding meetings of the Arab youth's ministers in Tripoli Regional, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Jordanian upper house reaffirms vote to cancel honor crime loophole Jordan, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Algeria voices backing for Syria, Lebanon
  President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria has pronounced Algeria's backing for a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan and from south Lebanon and the right of the Palestinian people to establish their own independent state with Jerusalem as a capital. Regional-Algeria, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Saudi Cabinet reviews visit from Al-Bashir Saudi Arabia-Sudan, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Iraq: UN resignations call for lifting of sanctions Iraq-UN, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Barak: No withdrawal of any Israeli troops from Jerusalem
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak informed Dennis Ross, the US peace process envoy, that Israel will not withdraw its troops from any lands near Jerusalem in the framework of the third partial withdrawal in the West Bank called for in the Sharm El-Sheikh accord. Israel-Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Qatar names ambassador to Bahrain Qatar-Bahrain, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Weizman and Israel's withdrawal from South Lebanon
  Israeli President Ezer Weizman has stated that the chance should be given to the Israeli prime minister and to the army to find out the way that will lead to pulling the Israeli Army's forces out from south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Moroccan papers criticize UN policy in sahara as pro-secessionists
  Moroccan papers commented this Tuesday the reports released end of last week by UN Secretary general Kofi Annan on the Sahara issue and charged the MINURSO, UN mission supervising the referendum in the Sahara, of being responsible for deadlock in the settlement process. Morocco, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Arab Gulf states' reaction to the Iranian elections
  The Arab Gulf states have expressed their hopes that the "reformers" victory in the parliamentary elections in Iran will be encouraging for rapprochement in the oil-rich Gulf region. Gulf-Iran, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Case filed against the secretary of the Yemeni Baath Party
  The Yemeni Press and Publications Union has decided to file a court case against the secretary general of the pro-Iraq Baath Party, Qasem Salaam, who is also the chairman of the higher council of the opposition in Yemen under charges of publishing an article damaging relations between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Yemen-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/22/2000
• Supreme Egyptian - Moroccan committee to convene
  The supreme Egyptian - Moroccan committee will convene the meetings of its 4th session in Cairo in May under the chairmanship of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Mohammed VI of Morocco. Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Sudanese peace talks resume today in Nairobi Sudan, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Egyptian, Lebanese presidents call for Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon, Golan
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Lebanese President Emile Lahoud have asserted the need for Arab unity and for strengthening the Lebanese- Syrian inseparability on all negotiation tracks. Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Has the march of change started in Syria? New government expected within days
  News reports in Damascus said that convening the general conference of the Baath Party, expected for several years, is very near after an increasing demand to make amendments to the work programs of the Baath Party and its leadership. The son of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, is expected to join these programs. Syria, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Mubarak's visit aims at preventing future Israeli attacks against Lebanon
  Amidst large-scale Arab satisfaction with President Mubarak's historic visit to Lebanon, official Arab mass media are unanimous that the visit was well-timed reflecting Arab support for Lebanon. Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Kuwaiti - Egyptian agreements on consultation and coordination and signing 3 agreements
  The the second session for the supreme joint Kuwaiti - Egyptian committee concluded at the headquarters of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry under the chairmanship of Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, Kuwait's first deputy prime minister and foreign minister, which lasted for three days. Egypt-Kuwait, Politics, 2/21/2000
• APU calls for convening pan-Arab summit
  Under the chairmanship of Ahmed Fathi Surour, Speaker of the People's Assembly and Chairman of the Arab Parliamentary Union (APU), the proceedings of the 35th session of the Union started in Algeria Saturday. Regional, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Al-Sharaa confers with outgoing Jordanian ambassador Syria-Jordan, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Egypt reconstructs destroyed Lebanese electric stations
  Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid has announced that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will review today with members of the Egyptian Cabinet the detailed programs for rebuilding and maintaining the Lebanese power stations which were destroyed as a result of the recent Israeli aggression against Lebanon. Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 2/21/2000
• German President hails Egypt's role in the region Egypt-Germany, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Moroccan MPs urge European Parliament to address issue of sequestered Sahrawis
  A Moroccan parliamentary delegation has urged the European Parliament-- which is currently holding a plenary session-- to address the issue of the Moroccan Sahrawis who are forcibly detained in the Tindouf camps by the separatist Polisario. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Spain promoted separatists' so-called national feeling for colonial purposes
  Spain promoted the so-called "national feeling" to perpetuate its occupation of the Moroccan Sahara, Spanish and Moroccan experts said at the conference, held under the theme "the national Sahrawi Identity." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Moroccan premier starts visit to India
  Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi starts this Monday a four-day official visit to India to consolidate cooperation ties with the subcontinent. Morocco-India, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Bahrain - Qatar meeting concludes Bahrain-Qatar, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Moroccan premier deplores poor economic relations and low human contacts between Morocco and Algeria
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi deplored in an interview published Sunday by Algerian daily "Le Matin" poor economic relations between Morocco and Algeria, affecting human and social aspects. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Moroccan premier renews denial that Morocco serves as rear-base for Algerian Islamic extremists
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi renewed Morocco's denial that the country serves as a rear-base for Algerian Islamic extremists perpetrating violence operations in Algeria and insisted that Morocco adheres to the principle of non-interference in Algeria's internal affairs. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Moroccan premier says Sahara issue was no obstacle to normal relations between Morocco, Algeria
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi said the Sahara issue was not an obstacle to normal relations between Morocco and Algeria for years, stressing that it is possible to have normal or quasi-normal relations despite the issue, which is being handled by the United Nations. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Syrians in the Golan demand the release of relative from Israeli jails
  Syrians from the occupied Golan Heights on Sunday called on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to intervene for the release of 17 Syrian detainees from the Golan held in Israel. Syria-Israel-UN, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Sudanese president confers with Saudi officials
  Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir met in Riyadh on Sunday with Saudi Finance and National Economy Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf. Economic relations between the two countries and prospects of developing them were reviewed during the meeting. Saudi Arabia-Sudan, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Mubarak sent a message to Barak
  "President Hosni Mubarak sent a message Sunday to Israeli Premier Ehud Barak on Egypt's stance as to the necessity of reviving the peacemaking drive on all tracks as well as its stance regarding the latest Israeli aggression on Lebanon," Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said, answering reporters' questions Sunday evening following his meeting with Danni Yatom, head of the security and political body at the Israeli Cabinet. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/21/2000
• GCC committee to meet in Oman Gulf, Politics, 2/21/2000
• UN chief recommends extension of UN Sahara mission term, calls special envoy to resume mediation
  UN Secretary General Kofi Annan recommended the Security Council to extend for an additional three months the term of the UN mission in the Sahara and asked his special envoy, James Baker, to resume mediation to end the conflict. Morocco-UN, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Egypt's role in peace process, vital
  Minister of Information Safwat el-Sherif said that Egypt is playing an important role to bring closer viewpoints of the parties to the Middle East peace process in view of the pioneering role it plays in the Middle East and its contacts with the United States, Israel and the Arab world. Egypt, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Arab parliamentary committee for fact-finding on Israeli aggressions in Lebanon
  The Arab Parliamentary Union's council under the chairmanship of Ahmed Fathi Serour, head of the Egyptian People's Assembly, decided at the conclusion of its work today in Algeria to form a committee of Arab parliamentary personnel that tackles fact-finding on the Israeli violations of international law through its attacks on Lebanon. Regional, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Yemeni deputy foreign minister: Egypt, Yemen agree on importance of convening Arab summit.
  Abd Allah El-Saiyadi, the Yemeni deputy foreign minister, said that the points of view between Egypt and Yemen are in agreement concerning the importance of convening the Arab summit. Yemen-Egypt, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Italian prime minister to visit Jordan Jordan-Italy, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Qaddoumi discusses the peace process with El-Fahoum
  Farouk Qaddoumi, head of the political department of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, met yesterday with Khaled El-Fahoumi, former head of the Palestinian National Council and one of the prominent figures in the Palestinian opposition residing in Damascus. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Moroccan-European cooperation probed in Strasbourg
  Cooperation between Morocco and the European Union was probed last week in Strasbourg at talks between a visiting delegation of Moroccan parliamentarians and European MPs from various groups. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Iranian- Sudanese committee meets in Tehran Sudan-Iran, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Jordan and the al-Wahda dam
  Jordanian Minister of Water and Irrigation Kamel Mahadin has announced that some US $165 million out of US $200 million of the total cost of building al-Wahda dam is available. Jordan, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Emir of Kuwait confers with Lebanese Army's chief of staff Kuwait-Lebanon, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Yemeni official refuses US mediation on border demarcation with Saudi Arabia
  The chairman of the Yemeni reform party (Hizbul Islah), Abdullah Hussein al-Ahmar, on Sunday announced his opposition to an American mediation in the border dispute between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Yemen-Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 2/21/2000
• The aim behind escalation in Lebanon
  A high-ranking French source told the Lebanese daily al-Mistaqbil on Saturday that the April Understanding committee will convene its meetings very soon and that Paris is in continued contact with the United States, whose representative currently chairs the committee's rotating presidency. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Seventeen Moroccan candidates to illegal immigration reported missing
  Some 17 Moroccan candidates to illegal immigration were reported missing recently off the Moroccan southern city of Laayoune. Morocco, Politics, 2/21/2000
• US source and demonstration in Lebanon
  A US source told Monte Carlo Radio on Saturday that the US has confidence in the ability of the Lebanese government to ensure the safety and protection of the diplomatic corps. Lebanon-Israel-USA, Politics, 2/21/2000
• AL chief confers with British ambassador Regional-UK, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Ross starts a new tour in the Middle East
  Dennis Ross, the US peace envoy, started a new tour of the area to bring the peace process in Middle East out from its current crisis. Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Qatar's FM gets a message from Iranian counterpart
  Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani has received a verbal message from his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharazi, connected to coordination between the two countries in international issues. Qatar-Iran-Burkina Faso, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Abdul Meguid: The Arab world is satisfied with results of Iranian elections
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid asserted that the Arab world is following with concern the Iranian elections out of the geographical and historical relations which tie the Arabs with Iran because any development in Iran concerns the Arab states. Regional-Iran, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Bahrain, Thailand bilateral relations reviewed
  Sheikh Salman Bin Khaliefa, the special envoy and the chairman of the delegation of the state of Bahrain to the 10th session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development currently being held in Bangkok, has met with Thailand's prime minister. Bahrain-Thailand, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Barak criticizes Arab backing for Lebanon
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has criticized what he described as the campaign of provocation in the Arab world against Israel, asserting that this provocation will have an adverse impact on the Middle East peace process. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/21/2000
• US Jewish organizations members visit the Golan Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Mandela, Gorbachev, Dalai Lama urge world leaders to help the Iraqi people
  35 international personalities and organizations urged yesterday world leaders to move to help the Iraqi people and lift the sanctions imposed on it since August of year 1990. Iraq-International, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Arab foreign ministers meet in Cairo on March 12 and 13 Regional, Politics, 2/21/2000
• UAE defense minister makes surprise inspections United Arab Emirates, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Emir of Kuwait gets a message from Chinese president
  Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah has received a message from Chinese President Jiang Zemin pertaining to bilateral relations and means of developing and strengthening them. Kuwait-China, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Thai parliamentary delegation in Morocco Morocco-Thailand, Politics, 2/21/2000
• European Parliament decries El-Egido racist acts
  The European Parliament decried the racist acts perpetrated by Spaniards against the Moroccan community settled in the Spanish southern locality of El-Egido. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Morocco-Brunei booperation probed in Rabat
  Cooperation between Morocco and Brunei is being probed in Rabat by a visiting delegation from Brunei and Moroccan officials. Morocco-Brunei, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Gabon to host meeting on children trafficking next week
  A sub-regional meeting on the development of strategies against the trafficking of children workers in Western and Central Africa will be held in Libreville, Gabon from 22 to 24 February, pan-African news agency PANA reported, quoting official sources. Regional-Africa, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Reformation movement wins majority in Iranian elections Iran, Politics, 2/21/2000
• Arab youth and sport ministers meet in Tripoli
  The Arab youth and sport ministers' council is holding its 23rd session in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, this February 20-21 to assess the actions of the previous year and examine the budget of year 2000. Regional, Politics, 2/21/2000

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