Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 4/16/2001

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of April 16, 2001

• Confrontation escalated in the occupied Palestinian territories
  The TV correspondent Ayman al-Razzi said that the Israeli forces deliberately opened fire at correspondents in the area of Salah Eddine Gate. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Al-Shara meets with Beshara Syria-Palestine, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Decentralization, best option to overcome artificial difference on Sahara, king Mohammed
  Decentralization is the best option to overcome the artificial difference over the Moroccan identity of Sahara, King Mohammed VI said on Friday. Morocco, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Shura Council mid-term elections Egypt, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Lahoud, al-Hariri and the Israeli aggressions
  The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud said on Friday that the Israeli threats and aggressions against Syria and Lebanon will not " prevent us from clinging to unwavering stances which are built on eliminating the Israeli occupation from the occupied Arab lands, the return back of the Palestinian refugees to their lands and releasing the detainees and prisoners held in the Israeli jails." Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/21/2001
• UN informed of Egyptian-Jordanian initiative Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Diplomats stress significance of Mubarak's European tour
  Mahmoud Mubarak said that the president's visit provides a chance to further Egyptian German relations and represents a substantial step for more coordination between both leaderships to spur the European Union (EU) into more effective involvement in the region. Egypt-European Union, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Syria benefits from the Israeli air strike
  The Kuwaiti daily al-Anbaa said on Friday that the impressions prevailed by certain sides that the Israeli air strike against a Syrian position in Lebanon had undermined the dignity of the Syrian army, is a wrong impression. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Mubarak's talks in Germany deal with economic, political relations
  Egyptian President Mubarak's talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder next Tuesday within his European tour, that includes also Romania and Russia, will deal with means to further economic and trade relations as well as political issues and Middle East developments. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Peace process tops Mubarak-Putin talks
  "The discussions will also deal with means to further political understanding and economic cooperation in the fields of sophisticated technology, energy, industry and research," he said. Egypt-Russia, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Egyptian premier confers with Belgian foreign minister Egypt-Belgium, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Bahrain: 99 percent of the Bahraini opposition returned back
  The Bahraini ambassador to Britain Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Mubarak al-Khaleifa said that 99 percent of the Bahraini who used to live abroad as an opposition force returned back to the country. Bahrain, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Al-Hariri starts a Gulf tour
  The Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri starts Sunday a tour that will cover the Vatican and Washington, Ottawa and Paris. Lebanon, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Morocco wants to invest in Oman's IT
  Morocco has expressed wish to invest in Oman's telecommunications company. Morocco-Oman, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Lebanon and resistance operations Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Azmi Beshara heads for Damascus
  Israeli press sources said on Friday that the Arab parliamentarian at the Israeli Knesset Azmi Beshara headed for Damascus in a visit to Syria. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Moussa backs sending international force to Palestinian areas
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa voiced Egypt's support of sending an international observer force to the Palestinian territories, by way of protecting the Palestinians from Israel's aggression and excessive use of force. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Sudan voices commitment to implement agreements on protecting relief operations
  The spokesman for the Sudanese armed forces lt. Gen. Muhammad Bashir Suleiman has stressed that Sudan is committed to the implementation of all agreements it signed concerning the protection of relief operations in the southern parts of the country. Sudan, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Israel prevents UNESCO team from visiting the Dome rock Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Arab community in the United States denounces strikes
  The Arab community and the Syrian- American council in the US state of Michigan have denounced the Israeli aggression against the Syrian radar position in Lebanon and the continued Israeli threats against the Palestinian people. Regional-Israel, Politics, 4/21/2001
• People's Assembly condemns Israeli strike of Beirut-based Syrian site
  The committee warned against a possible outbreak of the situation in the Middle East. In a statement, the committee branded the new Israeli aggression as an unjustifiable escalation of violence and a waste of all positive steps taken and agreements reached. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Cyprus calls for resumption of ME peace talks
  Mubarak-Clerides talks in Sharm El-Sheikh on Thursday dwelt on issues of mutual interest, including the Cypriot problem the distinguished bilateral ties as well as the Palestinian cause. Egypt-Cyprus, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Moroccan Blue Helmets Arrive in Kissangani
  Moroccan "blue helmets" arrived Friday in Kissangani, DR congo, where they will be deployed part of a United Nations Force. Morocco-congo, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Moroccan-Senegalese joint commission meets in June
  The Moroccan-Senegalese joint commission will meet next June to debate means to upgrade bilateral cooperation, Senegalese foreign affairs minister, Sheikh Tidiane Gadio, announced Thursday. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 4/21/2001
• Al-Mahameed is a candidate for the Syrian diplomatic mission to Iraq Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Al-Assad receives a telephone call from Bush
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday received a telephone call from the US President George Bush in which the US President expressed his appreciation for the high spirits President al-Assad enjoys, his concerns over the grave situation in the Middle East and the determination of the US to continue involving in work to deal with the situation and to use its influence until just and comprehensive peace is attained in the region. He called on Syria to practice most degrees of self- control. Syria-USA, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Khaddam confers with Asaad Abdul Rahman
  The Syrian vice- President Abdul halim Khaddam on Thursday received member of the PLO executive committee, who is also responsible for the file of the Syrian- Palestinian relations Asaad Abdul Rahman. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Southern Sudan's rebels announce seizing five areas on the Blue Nile
  The rebels of Southern Sudan in the "People's Army for the Liberation of Sudan" said that they had seized on Wednesday several areas in the province of the Blue Nile ( al-Nile al-Azraq) to the East of the country after they had inflicted great damage on the government's forces. Sudan, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Al-Attasi forum asks official licensing
  The spokesman for al-"Attasi Forum" Habib Issa told the Lebanese daily al-Safir on Thursday that his Forum asked for licensing from the ministry of social affairs and labor in Syria, as a first initiative considering that accepting the application is considered a positive sign. Syria, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Israel cordons Nablus, breaks into Housan village
  The Israeli forces on Thursday broke into Housan village, near Bethlehem and held a military siege on it, arrested several Palestinian youths there. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Iraq says Iran commited new attack against it
  "The Iranian regime on Wednesday between (04:00-07:00) a.m. committed a new aggression against Iraq. It fired 56 surface-to-surface missiles at Iraqi cities of Basra, Kut, Khalis and Jelawla, causing serious destruction and damage," Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Al-Shara confers with US under secretary of state
  The Syrian Foreign minister Farouk al- Shara on Thursday in Damascus received the US under secretary of state for the Near East affairs Edward Walker. Syria-USA, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Butaflika: An Afro- Arab strategic partnership
  An official source in Algiers has stated that some 24 Arab and African states started on Wednesday in Algiers their first meeting since 10 years in an attempt to resume cooperation between the Arab states and the African Continent. Regional, Politics, 4/20/2001
• King Mohammed receives Ghanaian foreign minister Morocco-Ghana, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Guinea Bissau's President Sends Message to King Mohammed VI Morocco-Guinea, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Senegal's Abdoulaye Wade gets message from King Mohammed Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 4/20/2001
• The Pope will pray in Quneitra for the sake of peace Syria-Vatican, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Bush intends to pullout US troops from Sinai, a new ME peace delegate
  News reports talked about the intention of the US President George Bush to withdraw its military units working within the peace keeping forces in Sinai. Meantime, Israeli political sources said that US President George Bush had started his consultations to appoint a new delegate for the peace process after this post was abrogated after it used to be occupied for several years by former US ME peace coordinator Dennis Ross. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/20/2001
• UN body condemns Israel on occupied Palestinian territories, Europe urged to act
  The top United Nations rights body on Wednesday condemned the "disproportionate and indiscriminate" use of force by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Morocco, Ghana sign memorandum of understanding
  The memo will be a general frame to other accords to be concluded by the two countries and augurs a new phase for reactivating cooperation between the two countries Morocco-Ghana, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Morocco backs Kofi Annan's candidacy to second term as UNO chief Morocco, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Israel continues bombardment of South Lebanon
  The Israeli warplanes on Thursday continued its violations of the Lebanese airspace. Especially over the capital Beirut and the southern Lebanese areas. The Israeli artillery bombarded the border areas adjoining the blue line. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Illegal immigration, regional problem, Morocco says
  Morocco on Wednesday declined all responsibility for illegal immigration towards Europe, calling the problem a cross-border one that requires more cooperation on the part of the Europeans. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Federation of Islamic Universities voices solidarity with Palestinian people
  This came in a statement issued Thursday by the General Conference of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World at the close of its Second Session held at the International Islamic University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 17-19. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Security Council condemn violence along Lebanon's withdrawal line
  Reacting to recent attacks in the Middle East, members of the Security Council on Wednesday denounced violations of the withdrawal line between Israel and Lebanon -- known as the Blue Line -- and called on all parties to desist from further breaches. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2001
• Al-Assad: Syria will not keep silence towards the continued Israeli aggression
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has announced that Syria, leadership and people will not stay " hand tightened " towards the continued Israeli aggression against the Arab nation." This was expressed during the meeting held on Wednesday afternoon in Damascus for the Baath Arab Socialist Party Regional Leadership. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Mubarak sends message to Sheikh Zayed
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak sent a message to President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahayan dealing with means to boost pan-Arab cooperation in the economic domain. United Arab Emirates-Egypt, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Tlass confers with Turkish military delegation
  The Syrian defense minister, deputy premier Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass on Wednesday in Damascus received the Turkish military delegation led by Lt. Gen. Rashad Tourgot, who is the chairman of the principles and planning commission at the Turkish army and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Saudi minister of Interior: Iran is willing to deal with question of UAE islands
  The Saudi minister of the Interior prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz has asserted that he found in the Iranians " the real desire to deal with all suspended issues with the Arab world, especially the question of the United Arab Emirates," in remarks to the Iranian occupation of the three UAE islands. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Lebanon celebrates Qana anniversary
  The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud has asserted the solid Lebanese and Syrian position in confrontation of the situation Israel tries to impose on the two "sisterly" states. He condemned the Israeli aggressive policy against the Arabs, in general and against Syria and Lebanon in particular. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Israel occupies new areas East Rafah
  The displaced Palestinians told reporters saying: " we have been here for forty years. They ( the Israelis ) destroyed our houses on the furniture and the rabbit and poultry farms, we can not do any thing. Yet, we are steadfast." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Moroccan premier winds up visit to Pakistan
  Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, flew back home early Thursday at the end of a three-day official visit to Pakistan, at the invitation of chief executive, General Pervez Musharraf. Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Commission on Human Rights condmens Israeli violitions in occupied Arab territories
  The Commission on Human Rights this morning adopted five resolutions in which it condemned human rights violations carried out by Israel in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Emergency meeting by AL Council on Saturday
  The Arab League agreed to hold an emergency meeting on Saturday at the level of permanent delegates upon requests of Lebanon and Syria to the dangerous situation in the aftermath of the Israeli aggression on a Syrian military site in Lebanon. Regional, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Saudi crown prince speaks on the telephone with al-Bashir Saudi Arabia-Sudan, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Arafat to arrive in Damascus by the end of this month
  The London- based al-Hayat daily said in its today's issue that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat will visit Damascus in the last week of this month in a first official visit since the Oslo agreement in 1993. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt hold telephone conversation
  The Jordanian official news agency "Petra" has reported that a telephone call was made on Wednesday between the Jordanian King Abdullah II and the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the framework of consultation and coordination between the two leaders regarding conditions in the Palestinian territories. Regional, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Morocco to start dialogue with UN on fair, comprehensive settlement to Sahara issue, official says
  The Moroccan government is readying to start dialogue with the United Nations to reach a fair and comprehensive settlement to the Moroccan Sahara issue. Morocco, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Sharon government refuses the Egyptian - Jordanian initiative
  The Israeli Hebrew- language radio on Wednesday quoted well-informed Israeli sources at the office of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon as saying that Israel refuses the Egyptian- Jordanian initiative to resume negotiations with the Palestinians because it does not include a Palestinian commitment to halt acts of " violence and terrorism." Regional-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2001
• The Guardian: International outcry forced Sharon out of Gaza
  "Israel's hard-line Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, was forced to order out his tanks from territory recaptured from the Palestinians in Gaza, in the face of unprecedented international condemnation," the Guardian newspaper said on Wednesday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2001
• The national Arab conference calls for a solidarity day with Lebanon, Syria
  The general secretariat of the Arab national conference on Wednesday called for declaring tomorrow ( Friday) as a day of Arab solidarity with Lebanon, Syria and Palestine in protest of the Zionist aggression and the US policy supporting it. Regional, Politics, 4/19/2001
• President of Lebanon on official visit to Morocco mid-June Morocco-Lebanon, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Saudi foreign minister confers with Mali counterpart
  The Saudi Arabian foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal in Jeddah on Tuesday received Mali's foreign minister Modibu Sedbi. Saudi Arabia-Mali, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Dialogue only way to establish peace in Kashmir, says Moroccan premier
  Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi said on Wednesday Pakistan and India should begin dialogue for a peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue as wars can never solve such issues. Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Somali government accuses Ethiopia of arming its opponents
  The provisional government in Somalia on Wednesday accused of attempts to topple it through arming warlords who oppose it. Somalia-Ethiopia, Politics, 4/19/2001
• European parliament delegation in Morocco
  A delegation from the European Parliament is currently visiting Morocco for talks with Moroccan officials and parliamentarians on relations between Morocco and the European Union in the frame of the association accord between the two sides. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Egypt seeks greater Arab-Africa cooperation
  Hassan underlined the need for joint chambers of commerce, promoting participation in Arab and African funds and reaching an agreement for encouraging and protecting investments. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/19/2001
• All Palestinian groups take part at Tehran's conference in support of the Palestinian Intifada Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Ghana's foreign minister in Morocco Morocco-Ghana, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Israeli warplanes violate the Lebanese airspace Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2001
• President endorses NDP nominations for Shura Council
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Wednesday endorsed nominations of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) for the three-stage Shura Council elections within full-fledged judicial supervision. Egypt, Politics, 4/19/2001
• African days festival opens Friday in Agadir
  Cultural and economic development of African countries will be the theme of the third Moroccan 'African Days' festival opening on 20 April at Agadir, southern Morocco. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/19/2001
• Syrians in the Golan celebrate Evacuation Day
  Hundreds of Syrian citizens on Tuesday went to Ein al-Tineh position to take part with the people of the Golan in their celebration on the occasion of the Evacuation Day on April 17. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Five Palestinians killed, Israel reoccupied Palestinian territories
  Israel on Tuesday continued its attacks against the Palestinian people. It bombarded several Palestinian villages and towns by tanks and artillery. As a result five Palestinians were killed in the confrontation took place on Tuesday in the areas of the west bank and Gaza. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Iranian president: our relations with Saudi Arabia are strategic
  The Iranian President Muhammad Khatami has described Iranian- Saudi relations as " strategic relations " and of having a great effect on the future of the Middle East region. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Al-Assad receives telephone calls from Annan, Lahoud, King Abdullah, Saudi crown prince
  Al-Assad: it will not be possible to reach peace through using vague idioms and that it is strange to describe the acts of resistance as an aggression while a flagrant Israeli aggression to be described as mere escalation. Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Syria: Civil society committee announces a social contract
  The Constituent commission of the civil society committees in Syria has issued its second document under the title " a national social contract in Syria," including what it considered the " national principles on the ground of which reforms are to be based." Syria, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Muslim brothers group denounces Israeli aggression against Syrian forces Syria, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Israel's warplanes violate the Lebanese airspace Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Bahrain carries out a limited Cabinet reshuffle
  The ruler of Bahrain on Tuesday held a limited ministerial reshuffle according to which five new ministers joined the government while the basic ministers kept their posts. Bahrain, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Jibril set his conditions to meet with Arafat
  The secretary general of the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine -general command- Ahmad Jibril has asked the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat to answer questions pertaining to the fate of the Palestinian Intifada and commitment to the PLO charter before meeting with him. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Al-Mahfouz resigns from the leadership of the Islamic front for the liberation of Bahrain Bahrain, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Moroccan-Pakistani relations shall progress, prime minister
  Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, asserted that relations between Morocco and Pakistan shall progress, mainly through the just set-up joint commission, the exchange of visits and the enforcement of cooperation accords. Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Israel: calls to try al-Dahamesha over his message to President al-Assad
  The Israeli daily Maareve said on Tuesday that Israeli ministers and members in the Knesset called on the legal advisor of the Israeli government Elakime Robinshtine to bring the parliamentarian Abdul Malik al-Dahamesha ( the united Arab list) before the court after he had sent a cable of condolences to the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over the killing of Syrian soldiers in the attack against Syrian positions in Lebanon. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Arab finance conference opens in Riyadh
  The Prince of Riyadh Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, who inaugurated the conference on behalf of crown prince and deputy prime minister Abdullah bin Abdelaziz, urged the Arab states to keep abreast with global economic developments and economic overture by adopting the proper policies. Regional-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Emergency meeting by Arab League Council within days
  An Arab diplomatic source told Al-Ahram that the Arab League Council would hold an emergency meeting on the level of representatives to discuss Israeli violation of the Lebanese territories and the impact of the Israeli aggression on a Syrian radar site in Lebanon three days ago. Regional-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Mubarak's message to Sheikh Jabir covers relations, issues of common interests
  Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Tuesday received a message from President Hosni Mubarak on bilateral relations. The message dealt with the outcome of Mubarak s visit to Washington on April 2. Egypt-Kuwait, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Palestinian government ready to do its utmost for halting violence
  Following the meeting, Minister of Information Safwat A1 Sherif said the two leaders exchanged views on the results of talks between the Palestinian National Authority and Israeli Foreign Ministry officials and between the Palestinian government and the US State Department. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/18/2001
• The Independent: Sharon government as a racist regime
  The British daily "The Independent" issued on Tuesday has compared the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon and his government to the former racist regime in South Africa. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2001
• King Mohammed vehemently condemns Israeli aggressions against holy shrines in al-Quds
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI of Morocco and chairman of the Al-Quds committee has vehemently condemned the Israeli aggressions against the holy shrines in Al-Quds (Jerusalem). Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Shura Council condemns Israeli bombing of Syrian radar station in Lebanon
  Israel has to realize that as long as part of Lebanese territories and Syria's Golan Heights remain under its control, the Lebanese resistance has the right to continue anti-Israel operations and Syria has also the same right to follow up what it deems necessary in order to liberate its lands, the statement added. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Egypt rallies support for Arab-Islamic draft resolution on Palestine
  The draft resolution assigns the UN Human Rights Commissioner and the UN to follow up human rights violations against Palestinians in the occupied territories and the implementation of the resolutions taken during the October extraordinary session of the UNHRC. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Al-Shara concludes a fruitful visit to Russia
  The Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara and members of the accompanying delegation returned back on Tuesday evening to Damascus following an official visit to Moscow which lasted for two days in which he conveyed a message from President Bashar al-Assad to the Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning bilateral relations and developments in the region. Syria-Russia, Politics, 4/18/2001
• Moroccan-Pakistani high joint commission meets in September in Rabat
  Besides the agreement setting up a joint cooperation commission, the two sides set up a commission for political consultation between the two countries' foreign departments and signed three other agreements related to the promotion and protection of investments, to cooperation in the sector of tourism, and to cooperation in the sector of merchant navy. Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 4/18/2001
• AL condemns Israeli aggressions against Syrian forces in Lebanon
  The Arab League AL on Monday strongly condemned the brutal Israeli aggression against a position for the Syrian forces working in Lebanon. Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Al-Shara: Israel made a great mistake by its aggression and will pay the price
  the Syrian FM said "Israel is not satisfied with killing and displacing children, and destroying their homes, but it works to expand the range of the military confrontation, and disturb the stability and security of the region, and Israel will be held responsible for all the dangerous consequences." Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Israel reoccupied a portion of the Gaza strip
  During the 24 hours, the Israeli forces continued its attacks against the Palestinian territories. The attacks resulted on Tuesday in killing 4 Palestinians and wounding 35. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2001
• A Lebanese presidential statement on Israeli strikes against Syrian positions
  News reports said on Monday that the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud warned against a comprehensive confrontation in the region. This was expressed following a telephone call, the Lebanese President made on Monday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after the Israeli raid at a Syrian position in Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Lahoud meets with US ambassador Lebanon-USA, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Palestinian delegations resume visits to Syria Palestine-Syria, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Morocco, Pakistan sign five agreements
  Morocco and Pakistan have signed in Islamabad five cooperation agreements meant to enhance relations between the two countries in various areas. Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 4/17/2001
• No democracy in Morocco, without sound justice, official
  A Moroccan official stressed that Morocco cannot aspire to a genuine democracy without a sound judicial system. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Iranian- Saudi security talks Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Sharon's statehood proposal as card- stacking ploy
  Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said Israel's proposal for a Palestinian state on 42 per cent of the West Bank had no foundation. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Egypt slams the Israeli attacks on Lebanon
  Egypt has denounced the Israeli aggression against the Syrian unit stationed in the Lebanese Bekaa, expressing its solidarity with the brotherly Syrian and Lebanese peoples in the face of these events. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2001
• UAE, Egypt call on the international community to protect the Palestinians
  The United Arab Emirates UAE deputy prime minister Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan has stressed that the acts of repression conducted by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinians close all doors before the Middle East peace process. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Israeli warplane broke the sound- barrier in the Lebanese airspace
  The Israeli warplanes on Monday continued their violation of the Lebanese airspace. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2001
• On the Israeli strikes against the Syrian position
  In an analysis made on Monday, the Gulf News Agency said that the Israeli prime Minister Ariel Sharon has responded to the message sent to him to test the project of the military act he proposed before he assumed power to settle the situation, noting that Sharon has once again returned the region to the cycle of "breaking the will" and this was made in the military aggression carried out by Israel against the Syrian forces in Lebanon. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Libya, Niger review bilateral relations Libya-Niger, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Peres and the Israeli raid on the Syrian position
  The Monte Carlo radio correspondent in occupied Jerusalem said that the Israeli foreign minister Shemon Peres, who opposed the raids against the Syrian positions in Lebanon contacted the US administration and explained the details of the operation and justified reasons behind launching it. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2001
• King Mohammed renews solidarity with Syria to end barbarous aggression
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI has renewed "firm solidarity" with Syria to put an end to "barbarous" aggression against the region. Morocco-Syria, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Morocco, Pakistan denounce Israeli attacks against unarmed Palestinians
  "Morocco denounces the savage attacks perpetrated by Israel against the unarmed Palestinian people, who have no defense means other than their legitimate intifadah," said Youssoufi renewing backing to the Palestinian uprising. Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Hamas and al-Khatib's visit to Israel
  The Palestinian national resistance movement ( Hamas) on Monday considered the visit of the Jordanian foreign minister Abdul Illah al-Khatib to Israel as "a violation to the position of the Arab nation and peoples which stress the need of boycotting the Zionist enemy." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Tunisian prime minister to visit Iran Tunisia-Iran, Politics, 4/17/2001
• A Syrian - Moroccan initiative on Iraq
  Well-informed Moroccan sources told the London- based al-Wasat magazine issued on Monday that the main results of the visit held by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Morocco at the Arab Level, represented in an approaching, jointly launched, Syrian- Moroccan initiative aiming at restoring back Iraqi- Arab relations to what they had been before the second Gulf war and based on debates that took place at the recent Amman's summit. Morocco-Syria, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Jordanian foreign minister met with Sharon, Peres Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Pakistan renews backing to any initiative meant to settle the Sahara issue
  Pakistan will continue to back any initiative meant to settle the Sahara issue and will spare no effort to establish peace and stability in the region. Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Speaker of Mauritanian national assembly holds talks in Rabat
  Speaker of the Mauritanian National Assembly (parliament), Sheikh Ahmed Ould Baba, who started Sunday a five-day official visit to Morocco, held talks in Rabat Monday with several officials and members of parliament on bilateral relations. Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Secretary Generals of Maghreban, Gulf groupings meet
  Secretary general of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Mohamed Amamou, and Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Sheikh Jamil Ibrahim Alhojilan, held a work session on Monday in Riyadh. Regional, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Moroccan premier meets Arab ambassadors accredited to Pakistan Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 4/17/2001
• Israel bombs a Syrian radar station in Lebanon
  A Syrian official source said today ( Monday) the following: At 12.20 p.m. Today, April 16, 2001, Israeli air formations violated the Lebanese airspace and bombed one of our positions in the Lebanese territories. Our defense forces intercepted the raiding Israeli planes. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Israeli forces in south Israel in a state of alert
  Eye witnesses said that the Israeli forces on the northern border of Israel today morning were in a state of utmost alert, but no certain instructions were given to civilians following the raid carried out by the Israeli planes against a Syrian position in Lebanon in which four Syrian soldiers were reported to be killed. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Al-Shara in Moscow today Syria-Russia, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Egypt's prime minister in Saudi Arabia
  During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and latest developments on the Arab and international arenas. Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Politics, 4/16/2001
• One Egyptian girl hit by the Israeli bullet Egypt-Israel, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Syria refuses an American request concerning Iraq
  The United Arab Emirates UAE daily al-Khaleij issued on Sunday said that a Syrian source stressed to it that Syria had refused a request proposed by the American administration calling on Damascus to join what is called " smart sanctions" Washington had decided to impose on Iraq. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Ruler of Qatar confers with UN secretary general assistance Qatar, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Qaddoumi: Syrian- Palestinian relations are improving
  The chairman of the PLO political department Farouk al-Qaddoumi has stressed that Syrian- Palestinian relations have attained strides forward to the better. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Tunisian president to visit Greece in May Tunisia-Greece, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Lahoud discusses with Sfeir means of uniting ranks
  The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud on Sunday at Bkarki met with the Maronite Patriarch Nasrullah Sfeir and discussed with him current conditions at the local and regional levels under the instability in the general conditions in the region, resulted from the Israeli intransigence and Sharon's policy which obstructs the peace process. Lebanon, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Speaker of Belgian Senate Winds up Visit to Rabat Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Speaker of Mauritanian national assembly in Morocco Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Moussa visits Abu Dhabi and Kuwait
  The Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa arrived on Sunday in Abu Dhabi in a short visit to the United Arab Emirates which will last for one day and then he will head for Kuwait in a visit which lasts for two days. Egypt-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 4/16/2001
• On the Syrian presence in Lebanon
  The Qatari daily al-Watan has quoted a Syrian official it described as well-informed that the current heated debate in Lebanon relating to the Syrian military presence concerns Syria only to the extent it might affect the firmly established relations between the " leaderships of the two sisterly countries." Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Iranian Jew denounces racist Israeli statements against Arabs Regional-Israel, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Documents defending Libyan convicted in the Lockerbie incident
  The United Arab Emirate UAE al-Bayan daily issued on Saturday said that the lawyers who defend the Libyan citizen Abdul Baset al-Miqrahi have received information that will negate his links to exploding the Pan American plane over Lockerbie. Libya, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Saudi minister of the interior welcomes human rights organizations in his country
  The Saudi minister of the interior prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz has asserted that relations between his country and Iran are good and will be strengthened by signing the security agreement between the two countries. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Morocco's premier starts official visit to Pakistan
  Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, arrived in Islamabad this Monday on a four-day official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of chief executive, General Pervez Musharraf. Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Khartoum stresses talks with Washington
  The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has stressed that the meeting which was held in Doha between Sudanese delegates and members at the US Senate was fruitful and encouraging. He admitted that al-Khartoum asked Qatar to mediate with Washington in order to normalize Sudanese- American relations. Sudan-USA, Politics, 4/16/2001
• UN postpones second round of talks with Iraq because of division
  Diplomats at the UN announced on Saturday evening that the UN secretary general has decided to postpone a second round of talks held at higher level with Iraq, at least for one month, because of the deep differences inside the UN Security Council. Iraq, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Royal message to Algeria's bouteflika
  President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria received on Saturday a message from King Mohammed VI. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Government gives top priority to social and Economic programs
  Egyptian prime minister Atef Ebeid said there is no increase in prices of essential and strategic commodities such as sugar, food oil, bread, transport fares, electricity and butane gas when the state general budget gets into effect next July after it was endorsed by the people's assembly and the Shura Council. Egypt, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Arab conference to discuss protection of Palestinian monuments
  The first conference on protecting Arab monuments to be held in Cairo will discuss on April 26 the issue of protecting Palestinian monuments which are being the target of organized looting by the Israeli occupation authorities. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 4/16/2001
• Acts of violence in Algeria
  Eight persons were killed in Algeria including 6 gun-men in acts of violence took place last Thursday. Algeria, Politics, 4/16/2001

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