Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 12/31/2001

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of December 31, 2001

• New Baath Party leaderships in Syria
  The London- based al-Sharq al-Awsat said in its Friday's issue that sides concerned in Damascus are embarking on forming new leaderships of the Baath party branches in the provinces including the secretaries of these branches, in light of the results of the recently made Baath Party elections and also following the formation of the new Syrian Cabinet. Syria, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Moroccan FM in Bahrain
  Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, arrived in Manama Friday on a two-day visit at the invitation of his Bahraini peer, Sheikh Mohammed Ben Moubarak Al-Khalifa. Bahrain-Morocco, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Bahraini court suspends a sentence bans a journalist from writing
  The Bahraini journalist Hafez al-Sheikh Saleh won a court verdict against a decision taken against him to be suspended from writing taken by the minister of information in Bahrain Nabil Yqoub al-Humor. Bahrain, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Morocco's FM hails excellence of Moroccan-Bahraini ties Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 1/5/2002
• I will vote for Moroccanity of Sahara, father of separatists chief asserts
  Khlili Ben Mohamed Al-Bachir Rguibi, father of Mohamed Abdelaziz, so-called president of the puppet Sahrawi republic (RASD), asserted that if a referendum was held in the Sahara he would automatically vote for the Moroccan identity of the territory, like any other Moroccan citizen who is proud of his citizenship and attached to his country's territorial integrity. Morocco, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Qaddafi confers with Chad's interior ministry delegation Libya-Chad, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Pending case of Sebta and Mellilia may cause instability in the region, warns daily
  Leaving the case of Sebta and Mellilia (two Moroccan northern cities still under Spanish rule) unsolved will create a hot spot in eastern Mediterranean and may destabilize the whole Mediterranean region, warns Moroccan Al-Ittihad Al-Ichtiraqi daily. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Arab League chief to visit Turkey on Sunday Regional-Turkey, Politics, 1/5/2002
• One Palestinian killed, four wounded in Israeli aggressions
  One Palestinian was killed by the Israeli forces bullets and these forces broke into al-Tel village to the southern west of Nablus and carried out a campaign of arrest that targeted several members of the " Hamas" movement, while other four Palestinians were wounded by the Israeli bullets in Ramullah. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Vadovin arrives in the region tomorrow Regional-Russia, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Damascus denies meeting between Peres, Tlass
  Damascus on Friday denied news reports rumored two days earlier through certain mass media that there was a meeting which was about to be held in Paris between the Syrian defense minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass and the Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres. Syria-Israel, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Iran denies the Israeli claims over ship of weapons Israel-Iran, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Morocco's FM to Visit Teheran Sunday Morocco-Iran, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Iranian official confers with Iraqi opposition
  The London- based al-Hayat daily issued on Friday quoted sources of the Iraqi opposition in Damascus as saying that Seif Ellahi, the official in charge of the Iraqi file at the office of the spiritual guide of the Islamic revolution in Iran Ali Khameini is currently making talks in Syria with the Islamic, national and Kurdish trends in the Iraqi opposition. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Sarid, Belin to visit Cairo Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Chirac: Sharon's conditions are inapplicable Palestine-France, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Egyptian diplomat underscores importance of Mubarak's visit to Morocco
  Egyptian ambassador in Rabat, Achraf Zaazaa, underscored as outstanding the official visit that President Housni Moubarak of Egypt will be paying to Morocco Jan.11-13. Egypt-Morocco, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Premier: audio-visual media reform to limit government role
  Moroccan prime minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, said the draft reform of the audio-visual media will limit the government's role to regulating, organizing and defining the strategies of the sector. Morocco, Politics, 1/5/2002
• American air sorties over Somalia
  The US has announced that its planes are making reconnaissance sorties over Somalia in order to help in deciding whether al-Qaida organization is rebuilding itself in this country. Somalia-USA, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Saudis released in the USA
  Prince Bander Bin Sultan, the Saudi ambassador to Washington has announced that the American authorities have released 12 Saudi citizens and that other 8 were waiting for legal measures with specialized authorities to complete release measures. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Boutros Ghali to students: Terrorism is not limited to on country
  Secretary General of Le Francophone, Boutros Ghali said the world has become surrounded by international terrorism after September 11 attacks on Washington and New York. Regional, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Jordan to recognize the provisional government in Afghanistan
  A Jordanian official source said on Friday that Jordan will shortly recognize the new regime in Afghanistan and the provisional Afghani government headed by Hameed Kerzai. Jordan-Afghanistan, Politics, 1/5/2002
• UN Security Council welcomes decision to release 115 Moroccan Nationals
  The Security Council on Friday welcomed the decision to release 115 Moroccan prisoners from Polisario jails located in Algerian territory. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Zinni confers with Sharon
  The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon on Friday in al- Negev met with the US special envoy to the Middle East Anthony Zinni. The meeting was attended by the Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres and the Israeli war minister Benjamin Bin Aliazer. Palestine-USA, Politics, 1/5/2002
• Some 8 Arab journalists were killed because of their career in 2001
  The Arab organization for the freedom of the press which takes London as a headquarters said that number of Arab journalists which were killed while performing press missions or because they practice this career increased to 8 including two women journalists in 2001, for only one journalist who was killed in 2000. Regional, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Arab League calls for member states to pay due sums Regional, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Morocco welcomes release of 115 nationals detained in Algeria
  The Moroccan government welcomed this Friday with relief the announcement of the return of 115 Moroccan nationals who were detained in Algeria, a statement by the Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation said. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Iran for strengthening relations with the Arab states Regional-Iran, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Some 32 Israeli violations against Lebanon within one week Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 1/4/2002
• A forthcoming Gulf- Yemeni ministerial meeting
  A Gulf diplomatic source in Sanaa said that a four- member meeting including three Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC ) ministers and the Yemeni foreign minister will be held within the few coming days in Muscat to discuss the new situation in Yemen's relations with the GCC. Yemen-Gulf, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Iraqi foreign minister to visit Bahrain, Iran
  An official Iraqi source said the Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri will next week pay a visit to Bahrain at the official invitation of his Bahrain's counterpart Sheikh Muhammad Bin Mubarak during which they will hold talks " to strengthen brotherly relations." Iraq-Regional, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Jordanian government suspends licensing of papers
  The Jordanian government has decided to halt the issuance of press publications, noting that the issuance of such licenses is linked to completing necessary legislation to develop the media, in line with the new media policy led by King Abdullah I Jordan, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Bin Alawi: Yemen's joining Gulf states does not contradict with its principles
  Oman's minister of state for foreign affairs Youssef Bin Alawi has stressed that Yemen's gradual joining of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC ) does not contradict with principles, objectives and charter of the council, because Yemen is an important country in the depth of the Arab Peninsula. Yemen-Gulf, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Horrifying Israeli crime against three Palestinians, Zinni arranges Palestinian- Israeli security meeting
  The US special envoy Anthony Zinni succeeded on Thursday evening just upon his arrival in Israel to arrange a high ranking security meeting between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. This meeting will be attended by him and officials representing the CIA. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Bahrain vows to draw a perspective for an integrated Arab collective work
  Bahrain said it will draw a perspective for an integrated Arab national act when it will host the periodical Arab summit in 2003. Bahrain-Regional, Politics, 1/4/2002
• American sanctions against Libya extended
  US President George Bush has extended the US economic sanctions imposed on Libya since January 1986, according to a statement by the White House. Libya-USA, Politics, 1/4/2002
• British consul: position towards Jerusalem, settlements has not changed
  The British general consul in Jerusalem Geoffrey Adam has stressed that British position towards the question of Jerusalem and the settlements has not changed. Palestine-UK, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Bin Ali confers with Arab League assistant secretary general
  Tunisia's President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali on Thursday met with the Arab League AL assistant secretary general Nour Eddine Hashad, who is the chief of Tunisia's office of the AL. Tunisia-Regional, Politics, 1/4/2002
• Sharon nominates himself as a prime minister in the elections of 2003
  The Israeli prime minister, leader of the right coalition Ariel Sharon has stressed before a coalition for the Likud party which he presides over that he intends to nominate himself for the elections of 2003 for the post of the prime minister. Israel, Politics, 1/4/2002
• King Mohammed receives message from emir of Qatar Morocco-Qatar, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Saudi defense minister in Morocco Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Egypt rejects Israeli news reports Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Egyptian president pays official visit to Morocco jan.11-13 Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 1/3/2002
• FM receives new ambassadors of Senegal, India to Morocco Morocco, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Israel summons the French ambassador Israel-France, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Peres confers with Norway's counterpart Israel-Norway, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Syrian conditions to resume negotiations with Israel Syria-Israel, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Al-Baz: The Egyptian ambassador will not return back to Tel Aviv in the near future
  The advisor for the Egyptian president for political affairs Osama al-Baz has informed the Arab minister in the Israeli government Saleh Tarif that his country ( Egypt) is not intended to return back the Egyptian ambassador to Tel Aviv in the near future. Al-Baz added that news recently published on appointing a new Egyptian ambassador to Israel are groundless.. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Moussa: Success of Zinni's mission depends on Israeli cooperation
  The success of the mission to the region by the US peace envoy Anthony Zinni depends on the cooperation of the Israeli government, said Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on Wednesday. Regional, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Syrian- US talks on defining terrorism
  Former US ambassador in Damascus Richard Murphy who is also the director of the Middle East studies at the foreign relations council in New York has stated that discussions are underway between Syria and the US on defining terrorism and means of dealing with it. Syria-USA, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Six Jordanian parties form a national council
  Six Jordanian parties have formed a national council for inter- coordination in order to unify their steps in their party process. Jordan, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Policies obstruct reaching a final agreement with Palestinians
  Baz said the policy of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon depends on stirring crises with Palestinians in order to preclude reaching a final agreement on solving Palestinian cause. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Jordanian premier confers with Algerian minister
  The Jordanian prime minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb on Wednesday discussed with the Algerian minister of energy and mines, Khalil Shakib, currently visiting Jordan means of developing relations between the two states especially in the sectors of energy and mines. Jordan-Algeria, Politics, 1/3/2002
• 'Smart Israeli missiles' used in striking Afghanistan
  In a report, the Jordanian daily al-Rai issued on Wednesday, according to American sources, unveiled that the American air force used in Afghanistan Israeli made heavy missiles and bombs of one ton and over in weight. Israel-USA, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Al-Tureiki discusses with Arab counterparts conditions in the ME Libya-Regional, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Sharon government continues attacking the Palestinians
  With return back of the US envoy Anthony Zinni to the region, the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has reiterated his conditions he is trying to impose on the Palestinians before giving his consent to the implementation of the Tenent plan concerning the cease- fire and resumption of the negotiations. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Israel prevents families of 13 Jordanian prisoners from visiting them in its jails
  The society of the Jordanian detainees families in Israel has called on the Jordanian government to interfere at the Israeli authorities and to make pressures on it in order to release them, especially as many of them had spent long years in the Israeli jails. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Moves to topple the provisional government in Somalia, paper says Somalia, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Arab-US association condemns arrest, beating of Palestinian human rights activist by Israel
  The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) on Wednesday strongly condemned the arrest and beating of Palestinian human rights activist Mustapha Barghouti by Israeli occupation authorities in East Jerusalem, and launched a formal complaint with the State Department. Regional-Israel, Politics, 1/3/2002
• China welcomes Mubarak's visit
  They stressed the importance of doubling the volume of trade between the two countries and increasing Egyptian exports to China. Egypt-China, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Libyan leader sends envoy to New Delhi to defuse India-Pakistan tension
  Libyan President Muammar Gadhafi has sent a personal envoy to New Delhi, as part of his initiative to defuse the India-Pakistan Tension, and avert a war between the two Asian countries. Libya-Regional, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Morocco's FM to visit Teheran this month
  Morocco's minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, will visit Tehran this month, probably on January 7, heading a large delegation, an official source told MAP correspondent in Tehran. Morocco-Iran, Politics, 1/3/2002
• Syria starts its membership at the UN security council Syria, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Yemen welcomes joining GCC 's several establishments
  Yemen on Monday welcomed the decision taken by leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC )to permit it joining certain GCC establishments as the first step towards full membership, Yemen has been demanding since long years. Yemen-Gulf, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Five million Saudi riyals transferred to the Palestinian Fund Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 1/2/2002
• King Fahd confers with chairman of the Iranian Shoura council
  King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia on Monday in Jeddah received the chairman of the Saudi Shoura council Mahdi Karoubi and members of the accompanying delegation. Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Morocco's FM postpones visit to Cairo Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Al-Riyadh rules out women's participation in the Shoura council
  The chairman of the Saudi Shoura council Sheikh Muhammad Bin Jubeir on Monday ruled out appointing women in the council whose members ( all men) are appointed by the King. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Syrian source denies news leaked by Israel on closing Palestinian opposition offices in Damascus
  A Syrian source has denied news leaked recently by Israel saying that Damascus has informed the US its readiness to study means of closing all offices for the opposition Palestinian organizations which take Damascus as a headquarters. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Iraq renews its rejection for the return back of UN inspectors
  Iraq on Monday reiterated it will not permit the return back of the UN inspectors in charge of dismantling its weapons, who left the country three years ago accusing them of " spying." Iraq, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Israel asks EU to include the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine to terrorism list Israel-European Union, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Arafat discusses with Fischer, Solana latest developments in Palestinian territories Palestine-European Union, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Khartoum: peace is coming
  The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has stressed that peace in Sudan is eventually coming as a fruit for the government's efforts and various regional and international initiatives." Sudan, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Egypt, Iraq discuss spheres of economic, trade cooperation
  Egyptian Trade Minister Mohammed Mahdi Saleh stressed that the Egyptian delegation's visit to Iraq under Foreign Trade Minister Youssef Boutros Ghali was successful and helped in deepening economic and trade interaction between the two states. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Israel invests the crisis in Argentina to push migration of Jews to it Israel-Argentina, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Turkish forces incur into Iraq to chase Kurdistani workers party members
  Turkish military and customs officials said that hundreds of Turkish soldiers incurred into north Iraq during the two past days to chase Kurdish Turks belong to the " Kurdistani workers Party." Iraq-Turkey, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Israel kidnaps five Palestinians
  With the announcement of the return back of the American envoy Anthony Zinni to the region, Israel has started escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories and on Tuesday broke into Qabateyah town of Jenin district, demolished several houses and carried out breaking in operation during which they arrested four Palestinian youths. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Ghana's president wishes to establish special relations with Morocco
  President of Ghana John kufuor expressed the wish to establish special relations with Morocco and to make of these relations an example to be followed by other African countries. Morocco-Ghana, Politics, 1/2/2002
• US envoy Zinni to return back to the Palestinian territories
  An official at the US embassy in Israel said on Tuesday that the US envoy Anthony Zinni will return back to the Palestinian territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Maher to visit Washington late January
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said on Tuesday he is likely to visit the US late in January. Egypt-USA, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Spain to exert efforts to promote European stance vis a vis Mideast Peace-Ambassador
  Egypt's Ambassador to Spain Hussein Haridi Tuesday voiced belief that Spain will exert efforts over the coming six months to promote the European stance vis-a-vis the Mideast peace process. Palestine-Spain, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Al-Ateyah is the secretary general for the GCC
  Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states have agreed the appointment of the Qatari minister Abdul Rahman al- Ateyah as the council's secretary genera. Al-Ateyah ( 51 year old) is to replace Jamil al-Husjeilan for a three- year term of office starting as from April the date when the second term of office for Sheikh Hujeilan expires. Gulf, Politics, 1/2/2002
• Yemen to join the Gulf very soon
  Well-informed Omani sources have stressed on Monday that a meeting including the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Oman will be held by the beginning of next week in Muscat, away from the mass media to discuss steps provided for Yemen's joining the membership of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). A matter which has almost become an established fact. Yemen-Gulf, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Libyan-Bulgarian inclination to develop relations Libya-Bulgaria, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Gulf leaders hold Israel responsible for the tension, call for a distinction between terrorism, resistance
  the GCC leaders approved Yemen's joining to several GCC institutions, namely the council of the ministers of health, the education bureau, the council of the ministers of social affairs and labor and the Arab Gulf football championship. Gulf, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Moussa declares the postponement of the 'follow up' meeting until February Regional, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Blair urged to keep US out of Iraq
  Egypt is urging Tony Blair to use his influence to dissuade America from taking the war against terrorism into Iraq. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Constitutional council declares finance bill conform to constitution Morocco, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Israel escalates conditions by assassinating 6 Palestinians
  The Israeli military and political concentration is on liquidating the Palestinian Intifada, the Palestinian authority has stressed saying that the government of Ariel Sharon is responsible for the escalated conditions through implanting ambushes and assassinating six Palestinians in Gaza. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Iran renews backing for Syria
  The spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry Hameed Rida Asefi has renewed Iran's support for Syria and her just stances, stressing his country's backing to Lebanon, the Palestinian question and to the militant movements which defend their lands and independence. Syria-Iran, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Bahrain joins terrorism fighting campaign
  As from next week the only frigate in Bahrain will make missions in Afghanistan during which it will escort ships transporting humanitarian aids to this country. Bahrain-Regional, Politics, 1/1/2002
• The Kuwaiti who was put on the European terrorism list is Pakistani
  Kuwait announced on Sunday that one among the names listed on the European Union list of persons connected to terrorism, said to be a Kuwaiti, is a Pakistani. Kuwait, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Egypt's moves aim at realizing peace in Sudan
  "Egypt is exerting a lot of efforts to realize peace in Sudan via the Egyptian-Libyan initiative, which won the consensus of all political powers, although some parties do not respond with it," said Egypt's new consul in Khartoum Mohammad Fawzi. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Israeli officials cast doubts over their seriousness to realize peace
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher stressed that the contradictory statements coming from Israel every day really cast doubt on how far Israel was serious in reaching a settlement. Israeli premier says something and the foreign minister says another, he added. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Jordan: Islamic Labor Front to take part in the parliamentary elections
  Officials in the Islamic Labor Front, the political front for the Muslim Brothers group in Jordan said they are about to take a decision to take part in the parliamentary elections, due to be held, according to governmental sources in the Summer of 2002. Jordan, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Expenditure guidance in the Arab League
  The secretary general of the Arab League (AL) has stressed he works to guide expenditure in a way not in contradiction with the implementation of set programs and projects approved by the various AL councils. He indicated that the AL budget should be of projects and action, rather the budget for employment. Regional, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Morocco and Egypt prepare for high joint commission
  Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, will meet next Thursday in Cairo Egyptian peer, Ahmed Maher, to prepare for the high joint commission slated for this month in Rabat. Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Government unveils plans for 2002
  The plan calls for promoting exports to decrease the deficit in the balance of trade, upgrading the money market by attracting investments in the stock exchange, providing data to achieve transparency and developing small and medium industries. Egypt, Politics, 1/1/2002
• A new Israeli attempt with Egypt to release Azzam Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Combatting terrorism requires collective international efforts
  The Shura Council's Arab and Foreign Affairs and National Security Committee said combatting terrorism requires swift collective international efforts within the framework of an international conference. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Egypt hopes India, Pakistan resolve their crisis
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher expressed on Sunday Egypt's hope that India and Pakistan would find ways to end the current escalation which would do neither of them any good. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 1/1/2002
• Some 1.6 million Iraqis died as a result of the sanctions
  The Iraqi news agency said that the Iraqi permanent mission at the UN reported the death of 1.6 million Iraqis as a result of diseases resulting from the sanctions imposed on the country since 1990. Iraq, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Khaddam confers with Iranian deputy FM Syria-Iran, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Blair: it is right time to establish peace in the ME region Regional-UK, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Mubarak and Hamad underline the need for adopting a unified Arab stance Egypt-Qatar, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Moussa to visit Turkey by the beginning of 2002
  Sources at the Turkish foreign ministry said the secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa will hold an official visit to Ankara during the first week of January during which he will discuss with the Turkish officials the developments of conditions in the region and the stumbled ME peace process. Moussa's talks in Turkey will also concentrate on current developments concerning Iraq. Regional-Turkey, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Gulf summit starts meetings, stresses economic unity priorities
  The Arab Gulf 22nd summit started on Sunday in Muscat to discuss some 30 files focusing on issues of cooperation among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) 6 member states in the security, economic, political, military and security areas. Gulf, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Libyan- Egyptian technical committee meets
  Meetings of the 2nd session of the Libyan- Egyptian joint trade and technical committee started on Saturday in Tripoli to reach solutions for problems impeding the trade exchange movement between the two states and to continue discussions of issues debated during the committee's previous meetings in Cairo in July 2001. Libya-Egypt, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Bin Ali visits Algeria
  Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali starts an official visit to Algiers in the mid of January 2002. The visit which will comes at the invitation of the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika will last for two days. Tunisia-Algeria, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Arab Gulf states for strengthening relations with Iran
  The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC Jamil Hujeilan has stressed the need to have good relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and Iran. Gulf-Iran, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Kidnappers sentenced in Yemen
  The special court in charge of cases relating to kidnapping foreigners on Saturday sentenced verdicts between 20to 25 year imprisonment for 4 Yemenis accused of kidnapping a German for ten days in November this year. Yemen, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Organization of Islamic conference backs Libya's efforts to defuse India-Pakistan tension
  The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) supports the Libyan President Mouammar Kaddafi's efforts to defuse tension between India and Pakistan. Libya-Regional, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Israeli forces prevent Italians in Hebron from maintaining solidarity with the Palestinians
  The Israeli forces on Sunday prevented scores of foreigners coming from Italy from having access to Hebron to express rejection to the Israeli aggressive practices carried out by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people. Palestine-Italy, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Three Palestinians were killed in the Israeli bombardment of Gaza
  While US administration circles talked about contacts with Israel and the Palestinian Authority over the possibility of resuming the mission of the US envoy to the region Anthony Zinni after the new year festivities, the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon denied to have had approved a plan to found a Palestinian state, noting that contacts of his foreign minister Shimon Peres with the Palestinian authority aims only at halting the Palestinian Intifada. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 12/31/2001
• US Fox station: The Mossad had prior information about September 11 attacks
  A US TV station has disclosed that the Israeli intelligence had known earlier about the incidents of September 11 but did not inform the American officials about that. Regional-USA, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Al-Bashir welcomes the American role
  The Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has reiterated his country's welcome to the American role to solving the Sudanese question. Sudan, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Jordanian- Algerian economic talks Jordan-Algeria, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Administration shall observe neutrality in coming elections
  Moroccan minister of the interior, Driss Jettou, asserted that the administration shall observe total neutrality in the coming legislative elections and that his department is ready for the elections and is only awaiting the agreement of the political parties on the voting mode. Morocco, Politics, 12/31/2001
• Islamic culture ministers call for release of Palestinian intellectuals from Israeli prisons
  Culture ministers of Islamic countries, who wound up here on Sunday their third conference, called for the release of Palestinian intellectuals, academics and students held in Israeli prisons. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 12/31/2001

Previous Week · Politics · Business and Economics · Local · Algeria · Bahrain · Comoros · Djibouti · Egypt · Iraq · Jordan · Kuwait · Lebanon · Libya · Mauritania · Morocco · Oman · Palestine · Qatar · Syria · Saudi Arabia · Somalia · Sudan · Tunisia · United Arab Emirates · Yemen