Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/5/2001

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 5, 2001

• Armed forces, capable of repulsing anti-Egypt aggression
  Egypt's Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, said that the Egyptian army is capable of repulsing any foreign attack against Egypt. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Sharon threatens Syria Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2001
• On the US- Jordanian free trade agreement Jordan-USA, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Israel threatens to occupy parts of Sinai
  In its today's issue, the London- based " al-Muharrir al-Arabi" daily said that Washington investigates in a report it had received on late Wednesday night stating that Ariel Sharon told officers of the Israeli army who came to congratulate him on winning the Israeli elections as a prime minister that he will not hesitate to occupy key parts of Sinai if he finds out that the Egyptians are backing the operations of smuggling weapons and fighters to Gaza sector. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Mauritania sees Rabat meeting of UMA sectoral commission as start to reactivating union
  Mauritanian commissioner of food security, Sidi Mohamed Ould Biya, said Friday the Rabat session of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) food security ministerial commission marks the start of UMA reactivation. Mauritania-Maghreb, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Khaddam's memoirs Syria, Politics, 2/10/2001
• One Palestinian killed, 40 wounded in confrontations with Israeli forces
  Confrontations continued in the occupied Arab lands, despite the tough military siege and the threats made by the Israeli prime minister elect Ariel Sharon he launched on Friday in which he said that his government will attain "security." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/10/2001
• US Secretary of state to visit Syria
  The Monte Carlo radio correspondent in Washington on Friday quoted well-informed US forces as saying that The US secretary of state Colen Powel is seriously studying to add Syria and Jordan to the list of countries he will visit by the end of the current month within the framework of a tour for him in several Arab states. Syria-USA, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Egyptian mediation between Iraq and Kuwait Egypt, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Youssoufi in Sudan's summit of Sahel and Sahara community
  Morocco's premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, will travel next Sunday to Khartoum to the 3rd session of the Sahel and Sahel States Community summit. Morocco-Sudan, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Relatives of Lockerbie victims call for perpetuating sanctions on Libya
  Relatives of the Americans who were killed in the explosion of the Pan American plane in its 103 flight in 1988 urged the government of the US President George W. Bush to perpetuate the sanctions on Iraq and to seek to try prominent Libyan figures. Libya, Politics, 2/10/2001
• US administration changes ambassadors
  The al-"Muharrir al-Arabi " daily which is issued in London said in its today's issue said that the US administration will change the American embassies in Syria and Lebanon by two others who belong to the CIA. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Egypt, key EU partner in ME
  European Commission President Romano Prodi said that Egypt is the largest state south of the Mediterranean and the European Community's key partner in the achievement of political, economic and social stability in the Middle and Far East. Egypt-European Union, Politics, 2/10/2001
• France, Egypt identity of views regarding ME peace
  France reiterated its backing of President Hosni Mubarak's statements on threats to the Middle East peace process and the importance of resuming negotiations. Egypt-France, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Fajiani: India works to strengthen relations with Israel Israel-India, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Israeli delegate to visit Moscow Israel-Russia, Politics, 2/10/2001
• A UN committee formulates anti-terrorism agreement
  The United Nations committee on combating terrorism resumes deliberations this week on a comprehensive draft agreement on combatting terrorism. Regional, Politics, 2/10/2001
• Jordan: the release of a second anti- normalization Jordanian trade unionist Jordan-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Syrian interests office to be opened in Baghdad on February 20
  Diplomatic Sources told the London-based al-Hayat daily issued on Thursday that the Syrian foreign ministry decided to open an officer for supervising the Syrian interests in Baghdad after 20 years from closing the Syrian embassy there as a result of intensified relations between Baghdad and Damascus in 1980. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 2/9/2001
• At invitation of President al-Assad Prodi arrives today in Damascus Syria-European Union, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Chad's president gets message from King Mohammed Morocco-Chad, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Syrian Parliament member criticizes 1000 statement and the party split advocates
  The independent member at the Syrian parliament Munzir al-Mawslli on Thursday criticized the " the statement of the one thousand" recently issued in Syria by several Syrian intellectuals. He accused those who undersigned the statement as seeking to " bombard the Baath Party and abrogating its political and leading role." Syria, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Explosion in Jerusalem, Israel continues attacks against Palestinians
  A strong explosion took place in occupied Palestine on Thursday resulted in wounding 10 persons. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Arab follow up committee tomorrow in Amman to discuss occupied lands, Intifada
  The Arab follow up and move committee hold its fourth meeting tomorrow ( Saturday) in Amman with the participation of the foreign ministers of Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Tunisia, Palestine, Morocco and the secretary general of the Arab league. Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Euro- Mediterranean parliamentary forum meets in Brussels
  The second conference of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum is convening in Brussels this February 8-9 under the co-chairmanship of speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives, Abdelouahed Radi, and Speaker of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine. Regional-European Union, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Annan, Bin Yahya discuss international issues
  During the meeting Annan welcomes Tunisia's concentration on dealing with the deep roots of conflicts, including poverty. Annan also expressed interest in the initiative made by the Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali to establish a World Fund for solidarity. Tunisia, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Al-Assad discusses relations with Bahraini delegation
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday received Bahrain's minister of finance and the economy Abdullah Bin Seif. Syria-Bahrain, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Bahraini opposition in exile calls for voting against the national document
  The Bahraini opposition in Exile on Thursday called on the citizens of Bahrain to vote next week against the national document project, considered it as a contradictory with the items of the constitution. Bahrain, Politics, 2/9/2001
• A gathering on the Iraqi- Jordanian borders to support the Intifada
  The deputy speaker of the Iraqi national council (the Parliament) Hamid Rashid al-Rawi has announced that a coalition will be organized on the Iraqi- Jordanian borders in the mid of this month to support " al-Aqsa Intifada" and to call for lifting the embargo imposed on Iraq. Palestine-Iraq, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Moroccan FM on Sharon's elections: we should not anticipate events Morocco-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Kuwait to appoint a new oil minister Kuwait, Politics, 2/9/2001
• Sharon gets a cable of congratulation from Arafat
  Israeli prime minister elect Ariel Sharon received a cable of congratulations from the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat in which he stressed his desire to continue dialogue so as to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, according to a spokeswoman for Sharon. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/9/2001
• We have to wait and see for Sharon's stand on peace
  Egypt's Presidential Advisor Osama Al-Baz said that in comments over Ariel Sharon's win of the Israeli government elections that Egypt will not make any judgment in advance although Sharon's statements during the election campaign are not re-assuring. We have to wait and see what Sharon will do. It is better for Israel to deal with peace out of recognition of Palestinian and Arab rights. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Non-aligned states back Libya's demand to lift sanctions
  The coordination office of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) discussed during a meeting Tuesday in New York at Libya's request, the recent developments of the Lockerbie issue in light of the January 31 Scottish court is ruling. Libya, Politics, 2/8/2001
• World Church Council calls for putting an end to Israel's occupation to Palestinian territories, Golan, Shebaa farms
  The Central Committee of World Church Council wrapped up its proceedings on 5th of February in Berlin. It issued a significant statement on international issues, inclduding both the intifada (uprising) against Israeli occupation and the blockade imposed on Iraq. Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Talks in Kuwait dealt with lifting suffering of the Iraqi people Egypt-Kuwait, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Qaddafi changes his mind towards showing documents for al-Miqrahi innocence
  The Saudi daily al-Watan issued in al-Riyadh on Wednesday said that Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian contacts had played a role in al-Qaddafi's refrain from showing the documents he owns which prove that Abdul Baset al-Miqrahi is not guilty in the Lockerbie incident where a trial has just concluded. Libya, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Al-Ayed denies to be involved in a corruption case
  One of the four members of the Syrian People's Assembly (PA) who was brought before the court on charges of wasting the public assets Mustafa al-Ayed has denied to had been involved in any case which falls in the framework of fighting corruption. Syria, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Israeli envoys to explain Sharon's policy to the Arab states Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Sudanese government and al-Turabi Sudan, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Saudi interior minister denies differences with Iran over security agreement Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Chad President arrives in Tripoli, hold talks with al-Qaddafi
  Libyan President Muammar al-Qaddafi and president of Chad Idris Dibi on Wednesday in Tripoli discussed bilateral relations and preparations to convene a summit including the coalition of the states of the coasts and the desert in al-Khartoum in February and the second Sert summit in March. Libya-Chad, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Arafat confers with American consul general Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Ruler of Qatar gets US message Qatar-USA, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Mubarak statement on the occasion of the election of new israeli prime minister
  Egypt sees that the efforts already exerted in the negotiations on the Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian peace tracks and the agreements and understandings reached within the framework of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, should be adopted as a basis for future negotiations. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Ruler of Kuwait gets a message from US President Kuwait-USA, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Morocco's premier meets opposition parties
  Morocco's premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, met on Monday with leaders of opposition parties, says a statement of Youssoufi's office. Morocco, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Israel banned from taking part in Algeria's workers trade unions conference Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Pope Shenouda visits Jerusalem only at Arafat's invitation
  Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Shenouda III said he continued to hold firm on his rejection to visit Jerusalem as long as it remains under Israel's control and will only go to the Holy City at the invitation of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Arab parliamentary delegation urges for end to anti-Iraq sanctions
  Speaker of the Moroccan house of representatives, Abdelouahed Radi, who is leading an Arab parliamentary delegation on an assignment at the European parliament, deplored on Wednesday the tragic consequences of the international sanctions on Iraq. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Morocco calls for immediate lifting of Libyan embargo
  Morocco called the United Nations Security Council to immediately and unconditionally lift the sanctions enforced against Libya. Morocco-Libya, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Jordanian anti normalization activities Jordan-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2001
• French dailies speak of Israel demagogy
  The French daily "Le Monde" issued on Wednesday said that the loss of Ehud Barak in the Israeli elections on Tuesday revealed to what extent he lacks the political and historical vision, while the success of Ariel Sharon in these elections explained the extent of the political demagogy and the loss of awareness in this policy. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Sharon stresses determination to Judaize the whole of Jerusalem, escalate settlement
  Ariel Sharon has started his first day after winning the Israeli elections by holding a provocative visit to al-Buraq ( wailing ) wall. Israel-Palestine, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Arab, international contacts center on saving peace
  Moussa added that he did not believe the prevailing Arab sentiment about the US lack of interest translated the reality of the situation, because the current peace stalemate was grave and threatened the stability of the region. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Palestinian Authority in dire Need of Support to Face Sharon's Xenophobe Policy, Ambassador
  The Palestinian authority is in dire need of support on the part of its brothers and friends to face up the xenophobe and hostile policy of newly elected Israeli Premier, Ariel Sharon, said Palestinian ambassador to Morocco, Wajih Hassan Ali Kacem (Abu Marwane). Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Blair phones Sharon Israel-UK, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Saudi, Bahrain relations reviewed
  The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz who is also the deputy premier and chairman of the national guards on Tuesday evening received a telephone call from the ruler of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa. Saudi Arabia-Bahrain, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Jordanian- Cypriot cooperation Jordan-Cyprus, Politics, 2/8/2001
• Mubarak's visit not meant for mediation between Iraq, Kuwait
  However, he said that the trade exchange between the two states remained below the $ 100 million a year mark, Egypt exports to Kuwait s 60 million worth of commodities while its imports stand at $ 40 million. Kuwait-Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2001
• King Mohammed sends message to Qatar's ruler Qatar-Morocco, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Kuwaiti - Egyptian relations, mutual respect and understanding
  After wrapping up his successful visit to Tunisia yesterday, President Hosni Mubarak took an impromptu, four-and-a-half-hour journey to Kuwait, where he immediately resumed his tour of Arab states. He held a meeting with Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, immediately after his plane touched down, and the two leaders later spoke at an evening dinner banquet. The two leaders are slated to hold a third round of discussions this morning. Kuwait-Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Mubarak, Jaber discuss preparation for Arab summit
  Egypt's President Mubarak yesterday sustained his Arab tour by visiting Kuwait for talks with Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed for consultations on issues topping the agenda of this tour such as preparation for the forthcoming Arab summit, horizons of the Palestinian cause and the Middle East peace march. Kuwait-Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Syrian President chairs over a higher education meeting for the party leadership, new governors sworn in
  They also decided to establish private and joint universities, or branches for Arab and world universities with specified specializations in the light of the development plan and society's needs. Syria, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Syrian- Palestinian political closeness Palestine-Syria, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Sharon's election is an internal matter
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak, in his first comment on the election of Ariel Sharon as Israeli Premier, Wednesday said this is a decision adopted by the Israeli people and we respect their decision. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Moussa urges waiting until Sharon officially assumes power Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Sharon wins the elections in Israel
  Challenger Ariel Sharon has won the Israeli elections for the Prime minister on Tuesday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Saudi finance ministers confers with Sri Lanka foreign minister Saudi Arabia-Sri Lanka, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Islamic meeting at a Syrian request Regional, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Speaker of Moroccan parliament leads Arab delegation to European parliament over lifting anti-Iraq sanctions
  Speaker of the Moroccan house of representatives, Abdelouahed Radi, will lead an Arab parliamentary delegation on a mission to the European Parliament for the lifting of the sanctions enforced against Iraq. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Local councils elections started in Yemen Yemen, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Moroccan FM: Sahara Issue Impediment to UMA Process
  He explained that the Polisario, a guerilla movement claiming the independence of the Moroccan Sahara, is based in Algeria which gives them weapons and protection. He insisted that as such, Algeria cannot claim to be "outside the problem." Morocco, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Morocco convinced Spain will respond to morocco's claims over occupied towns
  "We are convinced that Madrid will respond shortly to Morocco's claims over the two cities occupied by Spain," said minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Government to ask for royal commission to probe amendments to personal statute
  A government project dubbed "project for the social and economic integration of women" had sparked a wide wave of protests from conservative circles in Morocco. The reason was mainly due to proposals to bring up marriage age from 16 to 18, sharing of wealth accumulated by a married couple in case of divorce and other proposals related to the economic and social empowerment of women. Morocco, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Arafat and Syria
  The Jordanian weekly al-Sabeel said on Tuesday that it was informed by well-informed diplomatic sources that Damascus is till persistent on its position in refusing to receive Yasser Arafat before it will get convinced he will not cheat her once again. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Secret contacts in the Middle East
  The Turkish daily "radical" has unveiled on Tuesday continuous and secret diplomatic contacts in the Middle East similar to what took place before the realization of the Oslo agreement. Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2001
• On exchanging prisoners between Hizbullah, Israel Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Royal message to heir apparent of Abu Dhabi emirate
  Sheikh Khalifa and Benaissa probed ways of enhancing the brotherly relations existing between the two states and peoples and surveyed the latest developments on the Arab and international scene. United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Israeli reconnaissance planes violate Lebanese airspace Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Bahraini, Japanese relations reviewed
  The Japanese foreign minister Yuhi Kono discussed in Tokyo on Monday evening with his Bahraini counterpart Sheikh Muhammad Bin Mubarak al-Khaleifa, currently visiting Japan, bilateral relations between the two countries and means of developing them. Bahrain-Japan, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Libya, Russia for boosting bilateral relations
  The Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov and the secretary of the people's committee for foreign relations and international cooperation in Libya Abdul Rahman Shalqam discussed in a telephone call bilateral relations between the two countries and the question of the sanctions imposed on Libya in light of the decision of the Scottish Court concerning the Lockerbie issue. Libya-Russia, Politics, 2/7/2001
• OIC secretary general meets UNO chief Regional, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Algerian premier confers with Turkish minister
  Algerian prime minister Ali Bin Falis on Tuesday discussed with the Turkish minister of state Hassan Jemeis during their meeting in Algiers means of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields. Algeria, Politics, 2/7/2001
• Morocco - EU association committee sets up work groups
  The Morocco - European Union association committee held its first meeting in Rabat on Tuesday and set up four work groups that will follow up specific dossiers. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/7/2001
• ME peace, Lockerbie, Iraqi crisis big on Mubarak, Ben Ali agenda
  "President Hosni Mubarak and his Tunisian counterpart Zine AL Abidine Ben Ali's discussed the situation in the Middle East peace process," said Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. Tunisia-Egypt, Politics, 2/6/2001
• India's top diplomat lauds Mubarak's role in boosting peace Egypt-India, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Mubarak, Ben Ali review means of regaining Palestinian rights
  Information Minister Safwat AL Sherif stressed on Monday the importance of President Mubarak's current visit to Tunisia. Tunisia-Egypt, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Mubarak, Ben Ali review means of enhancing peace process
  In the light of regional circumstances which are characterized by caution and anticipation and a flurry of Arab efforts aiming at narrowing between Arab standpoints, enhancing Arab solidarity and tackling various issues, President Mubarak and Tunisian President Zine AL Abidine Bin Ali held a tete a tete session at Carthage Palace. Tunisia-Egypt, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Moroccan Premier Receives Kuwaiti Minister
  Talks covered items on the agenda of the upcoming Arab summit (slated for March in Jordan) and the need to create mechanisms to promote Morocco-Kuwait cooperation. Morocco-Kuwait, Politics, 2/6/2001
• A new Syrian government expected very soon
  The Lebanese al-Osbo al-Arab magazine said on Monday that talks in the Syrian circles speak of a nearby governmental reshuffle to bring in a new government which is more balanced and harmonized among its members and of better moves and performance in the areas of monitoring policies and economic reforms. Syria, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Sudan Prepares For Sahel-Sahara Summit
  Sudan will be hosting this February 12-13 the third summit conference of the community of Sahelian and Saharan states. Sudan, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Israeli army uses the elections to terrify Palestinians
  The Israeli elections are being held today amid indicators show that Ariel Sharon will be the winner against Ehud Barak as well as amid warnings on the consequences of that on the ME peace process due to Sharon's terrorism record, according to the French daily Le Figaro. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Continued contacts to close the file of Jordanian prisoners in Syria
  The Saudi daily al-Watan has said that Syria will release 8 Jordanian detainees by the end of this month and that contacts are continuous and positive towards ultimate closure of the file of those prisoners Jordan-Syria, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Egypt warns against the Israeli Diamona reactor
  Well-informed Egyptian sources have warned against the possibility of radiation leaking from the Israeli Diamona reactor at any moment. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Iraqi prevents anti- Syrian political practices in its territories
  In its Monday's issue, the Jordanian weekly al-Majd said that the Iraqi leadership gave instructions to all opposition Syria organizations which take Baghdad as a headquarters to stop issuing statements or taking any stances damaging the regime in Syria. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Moroccan party calls international community to release children sequestered by Polisario
  The Moroccan liberal party the Constitutional Union (UC/opposition) has called the international community and human rights activists to endeavor to free the children and young people being sequestered by the polisario separatists in Tindouf, south-western Algeria. Morocco, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Arab League chief to meet soon with Annan on ME issues
  The Secretary General of the Arab league AL Ismat Abdul Miguid has called on the international community on the need of obligating Israeli to the principle of "land for peace" and to withdraw totally from the occupied Arab and palestinian lands up to June 4, 1967 border lines so as to restore back credibility to the Middle East peace process. Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Visit of EC President Romano Prodi to the Arab Mashrek states boosts Barcelona process
  The President of the European Commission EC Mr. Romano Prodi will visit Jordan ( 7-8 February 2001), Lebanon ( 8-9 February) and Syria ( 9-10). Regional-European Union, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Vatican the Pope will visit Syria in the first half of May
  A well-informed source at the Vatican said on Monday that Pope John Paul II will visit Syria in the first half of May after a stop in Malta. Syria-Vatican, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Malaysia vows to carry on efforts for removal of sanctions on iraq
  Malaysia will continue to seek ways to help bring about the removal of protracted United Nations economic sanctions on Iraq, said Malaysian deputy prime minister Abdullah Amad Badawi. Iraq-Malaysia, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Saudi Arabia, Iran to sign several security agreements Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 2/6/2001
• UMA Secretary General Calls for End to Anti-Libya Embargo
  Secretary general of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Mohamed Amamou, joined his colleagues from the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Conference in an appeal to the UN security council to immediately lift the anti-Libya embargo. Maghreb-Libya, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Washington opposes a Jordanian, Iraqi agreement
  Political and diplomatic sources in Amman said that the US has opposed Jordan's desire to sign a free trade zone agreement with Iraq, which is currently under preparations. Jordan-Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Moroccan Speaker invited to conference in Iran
  Speaker of the house of representatives (lower house of the Moroccan parliament), Abdelouahed Radi, has been invited to attend a conference of support to the Palestinian people to be held in Iran next April. Morocco-Iran, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Al-Taher elected as chairman for the Sudanese national council
  In the beginning of its new term of office, the Sudanese new national council on Monday elected Ahmad Ibrahim al-Taher as the speaker for the council and Angelo Beda and Abdullah Ahmad al-Hardalo as two deputies. Sudan, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Mubarak's prospective visit to Italy tops bilateral talks agenda
  Egypt and Italy started on Monday their third round of political consultations at the level of Assistant Foreign Ministers. Egypt-Italy, Politics, 2/6/2001
• Syrian sources denies Lebanese political circles statements Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Clearing Arab atmosphere, main target of Mubarak's tour
  Mubarak-Ben Ali talks will center on the Arab solidarity, means of clearing the atmosphere before the coming Arab Summit in Amman, the goings-on of peace process in the region and support of the Palestinian people. Tunisia-Egypt, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Bahrain's crown prince calls his citizens to vote for the national document plan
  Bahrain's crown prince Sheikh salman Bin hamad al-Khaleifa has called on the Bahraini citizens including the opposition in exile to achieve " a great leap" towards democracy through voting for the national document project which states to revive back the parliamentary life. Bahrain, Politics, 2/5/2001
• The new moves of the Syrian President
  The Qatari daily al-Watan said on Saturday quoting well-informed sources in Damascus that President Bashar al-Assad will resume in the coming phase his diplomatic and political move on the foreign level by visiting Kuwait and then Turkey, France and later Britain and Germany. Syria, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Butaflika confers with Austrian official Algeria-Austria, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Egypt, capable of confronting Israel's threats
  Egypt's Presidential political adviser Osama E1 Baz, said that Egypt is capable of confronting threats of Israel to use nuclear weapon because Egypt has laid down military plans to confront any military threat by Israel. E1 Baz pointed out that Egypt has adopted a serious stance concerning recent threats made during the current Israeli elections. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Promoting Egyptian-Indian economic ties , a must
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak Sunday received Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh along with his Egyptian counterpart Amr Moussa attending. Egypt-India, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Morocco, Malawi establish diplomatic relations Morocco-Malawi, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Britain lauds Egypt's role in peace process
  Brian Wilson, British Minister of State for the Mideast and African Affairs, said his country is interested in pushing forward the Middle East peace process. Egypt-UK, Politics, 2/5/2001
• One Palestinian killed, tens wounded on Sunday's confrontations
  The Israeli forces demolished 6 Palestinians houses and an iron- steel workshop, two fuel stations and a water- well at al-Mintar crossing when the Israeli bulldozers destroyed an area of the land adjoining the houses of 100 dunnums and uprooted plants and the crops after expelling the people of the area. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Jordanian delegation in Iraq Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Saudi crown prince gets a telephone call from Sudanese President Saudi Arabia-Sudan, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Morocco-EU association committee meets in Rabat tuesday
  Besides political dialogue, economic, financial, social and cultural issues are also on the agenda of the Rabat meeting. The committee will equally discuss Morocco's call inviting the EU to place partnership with the kingdom at a special level, higher than that of association and lower than that of full-fledged membership. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Jibril and the Lockerbie issue
  In an interview with the BBC on Saturday, the secretary general of the people's front for the liberation of Palestine- General Command- Ahmad Jibril said " we have been all accused and since the first hours of the Lockerbie incident and before the arrival of the American investigation team to Britain, A fierce campaign started against the front and all means of pressures and terrorism were used." Palestine, Politics, 2/5/2001
• OIC and Arab League chiefs in new york to urge for end of sanctions against Libya
  The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Arab League have called for the lifting of the sanctions against Libya after the end of the trial of the two Libyans. Libya, Politics, 2/5/2001
• UAE anti- normalization with Israel committee
  The preliminary commission of the United Arab Emirates UAE national committee to resist normalization has stressed that its task is to challenge and defy normalization with israel in its various forms inside the UAE. United Arab Emirates-Palestine, Politics, 2/5/2001
• French minister of the Interior arrives in Algiers Algeria-France, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Prisoners exchange between Hizbullah, Israel
  Palestinian sources said that the Palestinian authority started to prepare lists in the names of the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails in order to release them whether the detained Israeli soldiers by the Hizbullah Party by Lebanese and Arab prisoners. Israel-Lebanon, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Al-Qaddafi to visit Sudan
  Libyan President Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi will pay a visit to Sudan on February 11th to take part in the summit meeting of the desert and coasts coalition states due to start deliberations on February 12 in al-Khartoum. Sudan-Libya, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Arab Foreign Ministers Meet in Cairo Next March
  The Arab foreign ministers council will hold a meeting on March 12 to review the agenda of the Arab summit that will be hosted by Jordan late march. The 38th ministerial meeting will be held under the chairmanship of the Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Ben Jasem Al-Thani. Regional, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Lebanese plane arrives in Baghdad
  A Lebanese plane carrying a Lebanese delegation headed by son of the Lebanese President Emil Emil Lahoud arrived in Baghdad on Sunday. Iraq-Lebanon, Politics, 2/5/2001
• Lahd refuses to be considered a traitor
  Commander of the former South Lebanese militia Antoine Lahd said he refuses to be accused as a traitor. He noted he had worked to avert dangers from South Lebanon and worked for its protection. Lebanon, Politics, 2/5/2001

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