Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/25/2002

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 25, 2002

• Arab League chief heads for Libya
  In a later development, the spokesman for the Arab League (AL) Hisham Youssef said on late Saturday evening that the AL secretary general will pay an urgent visit to Libya to meet with the Libyan President Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi and to discuss with him his plan to establish peace in the Middle East. Libya-Regional, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Mubarak: Saudi initiative means full Israeli withdrawal
  "The Saudi proposal could only be an all-or- nothing deal," the President added. "Are the Israelis ready to withdraw from the occupied territories?", Mubarak asked. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Al-Assad will pay an visit to Lebanon Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Lahoud discusses with Khouri activities of the Syrian- Lebanese higher council Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Iraq invites Blair to visit as Britain escalates rhetoric against Iraq
  The British defense minister Geoffrey Hoon has warned Iraq against the possibility of being exposed to a military attack if it will continue to produce mass destruction weapons and opposes the return back of UN inspectors. Iraq-UK, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Al-Qaddafi and the White Book Libya-Regional, Politics, 3/2/2002
• US plans to convene a conference for the Iraqi opposition
  The US state department has announced it is planning to convene a conference for the Iraqi opposition, separate from the "army officers coalition" which the main Iraqi opposition groups want to convene in the US. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Arafat confers with Danish foreign minister Palestine-Denmark, Politics, 3/2/2002
• German minister expresses concern over conditions of Palestinians Palestine-Germany, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Israeli warplanes violated the Lebanese airspace Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Mary Robinson concerned Israeli attacks against Palestinians
  "I view with concern the growing perception of a double-standard approach to the serious situation in the region," said Robinson. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Morocco's fm to attend Sahel-Sahara community session in libya Morocco-Libya, Politics, 3/2/2002
• some 24 Palestinians killed, hundreds wounded by Israel's breaking in Balata, Jenin camps
  Some 24 Palestinian were killed and hundreds wounded because of the Israeli terrorism which targeted on Friday and Thursday most of the areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Al-Shara discuss with al-Faisal, Hammoud Palestinian developments, the Arab summit
  A telephone call was made on Friday between the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara and his Saudi peer prince Saud al-Faisal. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/2/2002
• King Mohammed visits southern provinces next week
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI will pay next week a visit to the southern provinces, it was officially announced. Morocco, Politics, 3/2/2002
• EU concern over UN bombing in Sudan
  The European Union EU on Friday asked the Sudanese governments for explanations following the Sudanese army bombardment of a center for the UN food program distribution center which resulted in killing 17 persons on February 20. Sudan-European Union, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Libya- Niger relations reviewed
  The secretary of the Libyan People's General Committee for African Unity, Ali Abdul Salaam al-Tureiki on Friday in Tripoli discussed with Niger's foreign minister Aeysha Ninadwa issues listed on the agenda of the next meeting of the summit of the Sahel and Sahara countries. Libya-Niger, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Sharon will not accept Saudi initiative
  The government of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is rejecting all European, American and Arab initiatives, said an Arab Knesset member. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Mubarak, Solana discuss peace developments, European initiative
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday received EU High Commissioner for Security and Foreign Affairs Javier Solana who arrived on Wednesday coming from Saudi Arabia for a visit to Egypt within the context of a tour which took him to Palestinian self-rule areas and Israel. Egypt-European Union, Politics, 3/2/2002
• American forces to Yemen
  The Wall Street Journal said in its Friday's issue that the White House has ratified dispatching US forces to Yemen in order to train and give recommendations to the Yemeni forces which are chasing members of al-Qaida organization there. Yemen-USA, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Egypt protests against German Minister criticism to Islam
  Egypt officially protested yesterday on the press statements of German Minister of Interior Otto Schily against Islam. The Egyptian Ambassador to Germany, Mohamed Al Orabi placed the protest to the German Foreign Ministry, according to directives from Cairo. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Organization of African Unity monitoring team in Comoros
  The Organization of African Unity on Thursday evening permitted urgent deployment of a military monitoring team, in Comoros. Comoros, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Moroccan association calls Amnesty International to intervene for liberation of 738 Moroccan civilians
  Moroccan association "Moroccan Sahara" called London-based Amnesty International to intervene for the liberation of 738 Moroccan civilians held in the Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria). Morocco, Politics, 3/2/2002
• A decline in the popularity of Sharon
  An opinion poll issued by the Israeli daily Maareve on Friday showed the regret most of the Israelis for the performance of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon. Israel-Palestine, Politics, 3/2/2002
• African leaders hail moroccan king's initiative to host Mano River reconciliation summit
  The initiative taken by King Mohammed VI to convene this week in Rabat a reconciliation summit between the presidents of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, Charles Taylor, Lansana Cont?, and Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, was hailed by several African leaders. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Canadian premier on African tour next month
  Canada's prime minister, Jean Chretien, will undertake next April 2-12 a visit to seven African countries, including Morocco. Morocco-Canada, Politics, 3/2/2002
• Al-Assad confers with al-Khouri on Syrian- Lebanese economic cooperation Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Syrian political security permits activity resumption of social forums
  News reports in Damascus said that the political security branch has approved the resumption of activities conducted by the social forums. This is, however, positive indications that are in contradiction to the decision taken by the Syrian authorities to close the political forums. This followed imposition of hard conditions on the activities of these forums by the beginning of 2001. Syria, Politics, 3/1/2002
• King Mohammed backs Saudi peace initiative Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Burns traveled to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Yemen: Presidential pardoning for 10 socialist leaders
  It is expected that the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh will release a presidential pardoning for 10 of the leaders of the socialist party who were sentenced after being convicted in the "conspiracy of the war of the Summer of 1994." Yemen, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Bin Ali wants citizens' approval to amend the Tunisian constitution
  The Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali has announced he intends to have the public vote on a constitutional change throught the referendum process. Tunisia, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Some 12 Palestinians killed, 150 wounded by Israel
  The US state department said yesterday that "the overall principles that we come at this from, first of all, we respect Israel's right to self-defense. There's no question about that." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Ugandan army chases rebels of al-Rabb army inside Sudan
  An Ugandan official has announced that Ugandan soldiers entered into the Sudanese territories on Wednesday to chase the rebels who killed two persons and kidnapped 150 persons in a raid at a town to the north of Uganda. Sudan-Uganda, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Schroeder: No relation to our forces in Kuwait to any possible attack against Iraq
  The German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder stressed on Wednesday that sending a German military force to Kuwait has ultimately no link to the possibility of striking Iraq. Iraq-Germany, Politics, 3/1/2002
• UN security council: postponing debate on Palestinian issue to study pre Arab summit initiatives
  The Syrian ambassador at the UN Mikhael Wahba said that the peace process needs a political will from the Israeli side rather than more and further initiatives. He described the acts committed by Israel against the Palestinians as war crimes, collective killing and racial cleansing. Regional-Palestine, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Senegal supports Morocco's territorial integrity
  Senegal reiterated on Thursday support to Morocco in the Sahara issue and said it is defending the Sahara as Moroccan territory with deep conviction. Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Lahoud hopes summit will cling to comprehensive solution
  The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud has expressed his hope that the next Arab summit that the next Arab summit will conclude resolutions that will support the Arab position that provides for the realization of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, according to principles set by the Madrid conference, according to UN resolutions concerned. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 3/1/2002
• King Mohammed holds with Bush phone talks over sahara
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI held this Thursday with US president George W. Bush phone talks over a set of international issues, mainly the issue of Morocco's territorial integrity. Morocco-USA, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Bush's approach to the peace process is incremental
  US White House spokesman Ari Fleischer hinted yesterday that the approach taken by the Clinton administration to solve the Israeli- Palestinian question has led to the violence seen between the two sides. Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/1/2002
• U.S. Iraqi opposition discuss broad-based conference
  The U.S. government is holding discussions with the Iraqi National Congress about a proposal to build a radio transmitter for broadcasting inside Iraq and about organizing a broad-based conference of Iraqi opposition organizations, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said yesterday. Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/1/2002
• King Mohammed renews confidence in Youssoufi's government
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI has renewed confidence in the Youssoufi government, said Thursday the official spokesman of the royal palace, Hassan Aourid Morocco, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Congressman Paul Findley to give talk on Israeli lobby in the US
  American specialist in Middle East affairs and former Congressman Paul Findley is to visit Bahrain. He is scheduled to speak on the Influence of The Israeli Lobby in the US Bahrain, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Maghreban union follow-up committee meets in Rabat Maghreb, Politics, 3/1/2002
• Al-Shara, Yemeni peer discuss Arab conditions Syria-Yemen, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Al-Assad issues four decrees ratifying Arab, international cooperation agreements
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has ratified law no. 17 for 2002 provided for the ratification of amending article 69 of al-Riyadh agreement on judicial cooperation among the member states of the Arab league Regional, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia hail Rabat summit results for sustainable peace in Mano river sub-region
  The Presidents of Liberia, Charles Taylor, of Guinea, Lansana Conte, and of Sierra-Leone, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah welcomed their meeting in Rabat, at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, and the progress achieved with a view to reestablishing a climate of trust and restoring sustainable peace in the sub-region of the Mano River. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Iran's foreign secretary to arrive in Doha on Saturday Qatar-Iran, Politics, 2/28/2002
• The US denies sending forces into Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/28/2002
• ESCWA officials visits Doha on Friday
  She will hold several important meetings with high ranking Qatari officials concentrating on evaluating cooperation between Qatar and ESCWA in the area of development, the future cooperation plan and maximizing utmost benefits from expertise owned by the committee, especially in high- tech projects, revitalizing the role played by the woman Qatar, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Egypt's ambassador to Spain denies al-Feilali testimony
  The higher state security court ( emergency) in Cairo on Tuesday listened to the testimony of the Egyptian ambassador to Spain Hussein al-Hareidi in which he denied what was stated by Sharif al-Feilali, whose trial has been repeated after he was found not guilty on the charge of spying for Israel. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Israeli court postpones considering Azmi Beshara case
  The Israeli court in al-Nasera city postponed until April 7th considering the case of the Palestinian intellectual Azmi Beshara who has been tried by the Israeli occupation authority over his national and Arab commitment stands. Israel-Palestine, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Mubarak discusses with Solana deteriorating conditions in ME
  The European official talks in Egypt are expected to deal with the peace initiative proposed by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz for settling the Middle East crisis. Egypt-European Union, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Gulf- European meeting discusses the Saudi initiative, fighting terrorism
  The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and their European counterparts will discuss the deteriorating conditions in the Middle East and means of fighting terrorism. Gulf-European Union, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Mubarak: Egyptian-US relations are excellent
  The President indicated that the current problem is that Sharon lacks the vision for achieving peace. Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Four Palestinians killed, Israeli- Palestinian security meeting a failure
  The Israeli- Palestinian security meeting which was held on Wednesday evening at the house of the American ambassador in Hertzelia in Tel Aviv failed to reach tangible results as Israel refused to alleviate the siege imposed on the Palestinians and stressed to continue the military campaigns and incursion operations into the Palestinian areas. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Egypt at UNSC: No peace without application of UNSC resolutions
  "The demolition of Palestinian institutions, infrastructure and economy and the killing of its leaderships, will neither end the cycle of violence in the Middle East nor intimidate Palestinians from maintaining their struggle," Abul Gheit said. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Moroccan NGOs present series of publications on human rights violation in Tindouf camps
  The booklet sheds light on how these prisoners are interrogated hand-cuffed, blind-folded, subjected to moral and physical violence. Some prisoners have lost their life, others lost their sanity and most of them still suffer from traumas, mutilations and handicaps as a result of the inhumane, unbearable and unimaginable brutalities. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Austrian FM received by king, confers with moroccan officials
  The meeting between the Austrian official and Jettou surveyed economic and commercial cooperation and the sectors likely to attract Austrian businessmen, such as infrastructure, tourism and environment. Morocco-Austria, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Sanaa hands over to Riyadh a Saudi belongs to al-Qaida
  The Saudi minister of the Interior prince Nayef said that Yemen has handed over one Saudi who has links to al-Qaida organization led by Osama Bin Laden. He stressed that Saudi Arabia is still making investigations with persons suspected to have links to this organization. Saudi Arabia-Yemen, Politics, 2/28/2002
• UN extends mission in the Sahara for two more months
  The United Nations Security Council on Thursday decided to extend the mandate of MINURSO ( UN mission in the Sahara) for an additional two months until next April 30 and to consider proposals for the territory outlined by the secretary general in his latest report. Morocco, Politics, 2/28/2002
• US's Zinni visits Sanaa on Saturday
  League party has called on the Yemeni political leadership to pursue the principle of clarity and transparency concerning the level of security cooperation, depending on American forces to fight terrorism and eliminate extremist members who are suspected to be involved in terrorist acts and are in Yemen. Yemen-USA, Politics, 2/28/2002
• One Lebanese killed by Israeli landmines, 35 Israeli violations of the Lebanese sovereignty in one week
  Lebanese security sources said that an anti- vehicle mine went off on Wednesday in a small truck in Ein al-Meir area to the east of Sidon and it resulted in killing the driver of the truck and wounding of his companion, while the truck was destroyed. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/28/2002
• King Mohammed receives speaker of French senate
  During the work session that was attended by the speakers of the two chambers of the Moroccan parliament and the minister in charge of relations with the parliament, the two men underlined the increasingly important role played by parliamentary diplomacy in rooting a culture of dialogue, cooperation and openness. Morocco-France, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Thousands demonstrate in Brussels in solidarity with Palestinian people
  The protesters, who flocked to Brussels from different regions in Belgium, as well as from France and Italy, chanted slogans against the Israeli occupation, the EU-Israel association agreement, and the weapon deals between the Union and the Israeli government. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Al-Jalabi: toppling Saddam will be possible within weeks
  The chairman of the Iraqi National Congress, which takes London as headquarters and introduces itself as the main alliance for the Iraqi opposition, Ahmad al-Jalabi said that toppling the Iraqi president Saddam Hussein will be very easy because no body will fight for him in Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 2/28/2002
• UN Human Rights Commissioner Robinson to address Cairo University scholars
  Robinson will give a lecture titled "Human Rights and the Arab Nation," said Mustafa Kamel El-Sayed, the director of the institute of developing countries. Regional, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Ismael: American- Sudanese contacts have not been suspended
  The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has expressed his conviction that the US will give up its decision to halt contacts with Sudan, stressing that contacts have not been suspended. Sudan-USA, Politics, 2/28/2002
• UN criticizes the Emirates for evacuating 750 Afghanis
  The UNHCR suddenly on Tuesday evacuated 750 Afghanis to their country which lacks stability. The UNHCR commissioner Cress Banoveski said in a press statement that this is not the proper time for any state to evacuate Afghans from its territories. United Arab Emirates-Afghanistan, Politics, 2/28/2002
• All Arab states join drug- fighting agreements
  Mansour added that Israel and Turkey witnessed wide spread use of "Ecstasy" drug which appeared in Europe four years ago and reached the Middle East in 2000. Regional, Politics, 2/28/2002
• One American soldier killed during training in Kuwait
  The American embassy in Kuwait said that one American soldier was killed on Wednesday in a routine training in Kuwait's desert. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Egypt, Japan to exchange friendship offices
  The Japanese Chief of the international Egyptian-Japanese Friendship Organization has said that three offices of the organization will open in Japan and one in Cairo for boosting friendship ties. Egypt-Japan, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Maghreban consultative council committees hold meetings in Algiers, Nouakchott
  Algiers is playing host as of this Thursday to the meeting of the political committee of the Maghreban consultative council (parliamentary body of the Arab Maghreb Union/UMA), while Nouakchott is hosting since Wednesday the meeting of the basic infrastructure committee. Algeria-Maghreb, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Outgoing secretary general of Maghreb union awarded Moroccan distinction
  He added that Maghreban states are all showing determination to carry on the edification of a regional grouping, favoring peace, security and development. The UMA is a civilizational and strategic project, likely to enable the states of the region access development, he said adding that these states need to take up several challenges in this juncture of deep changes and the setting up of large economic regional groupings. Maghreb-Morocco, Politics, 2/28/2002
• Israel refuses to release Amal Mahmoud, a Syrian detainee from the Golan Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Algerian parliamentary general election fixed to may 30th Algeria, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Zayed receives Mubarak's message on peace, relations
  the premier spoke about President Mubarak's orders to render all services possible to UAE land reclamation investments in Egypt and to put Emirati nationals on an equal footing with Egyptians as regards land ownership and registration. United Arab Emirates-Egypt, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Arab League tour for good preparations of the Arab summit Regional, Politics, 2/27/2002
• King Mohammed holds work session with Presidents of Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI held this Wednesday at the Royal office in Rabat a work session with the presidents of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, respectively Charles Taylor, Lansana Conte and Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 2/27/2002
• UN chief to attend Arab summit Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Khartoum: the American decision to halt peaceful efforts is hasty
  A Sudanese daily said on Monday that the ruling party in Khartoum has criticized Washington's decision to halt its peaceful efforts in Sudan after the killing of 17 civilians in the south during an air raid despite the fact that a committee was formed to investigate in this incident. Sudan-USA, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Solidarity sit in with Beshara Azmi in Damascus
  The statement also " called for an Arab and international move to restore back the UN resolution 3379 which considered Zionism as a form of racism Syria-Palestine, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Saudi Arabia for sending UN forces to the Palestinian territories
  The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has stressed the need of sending peace keeping forces to the occupied Palestinian territories to separate between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 2/27/2002
• US praises Saudi idea on peace
  US President Bush called Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah yesterday to praise the Crown Prince's ideas regarding full Arab-Israeli normalization once a comprehensive peace agreement can be achieved, White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer said in Washington February 26. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Maher, Danish FM probe situation in middle east
  Israel's government is looking for excuses to keep on adopting anti-Palestinian and peace policies which harm the Israeli people themselves with the numbers of victims from both sides on the rise, said Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher, who was speaking in a joint press conference with his Danish counterpart Peter Miller Egypt-Denmark, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Iraq, the UN hold talks on lifting the sanctions
  An official source at the Iraqi foreign ministry said that the Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri al-Hadeithi will head by the beginning of March to New York, leading an Iraqi delegation in order to resume the dialogue with the UN. Iraq, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Seven Palestinians wounded, new incursion for Israeli forces in Gaza
  Seven Palestinians were wounded during the confrontation with the Israeli forces which on Tuesday continued its aggression and incurred in Deir al-Balah area in Gaza and arrested several Palestinian youths. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Nasrullah denies reaching agreement with Israel on prisoners issue
  The secretary general of the Hizbullah party Hussein Nasrullah has denied news which talked about reaching partial agreement though one of the German mediators concerning the exchange of the Lebanese prisoners and detainees in the Israeli occupation jails. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Mubarak-Bush summit draws optimism in Washington
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is due in Washington on Saturday on a five-day visit to the US during which he is to meet with President Bush along with other senior officials. Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Cultural cooperation between Qatar, Ethiopia
  The two sides discussed cultural relations between the state of Qatar and Ethiopia and studying the signing of a cultural cooperation agreement between the two friendly countries. Qatar-Ethiopia, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Muslim countries view the United States as ruthless and arrogant
  A poll done in nine Muslim countries shows the US to be viewed as "ruthless, aggressive, conceited, arrogant, easily provoked and biased [in its foreign policy]" and that Britain, "America's closest ally in the war against terrorism, comes off only slightly better than the US," a Financial Times report said today. Regional-USA, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Security Council expresses concern over humanitarian situation of Moroccan prisoners in Algeria
  The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday expressed concern over the situation of Moroccan prisoners in Algeria and urged for their immediate release. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Kuwait welcomes Saudi peace initiative for the middle east
  The initiative of Saudi crown prince Abdullah came in the right time and Kuwaiti fully supports it, said Kuwaiti minister of state for foreign affairs Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah Kuwait-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 2/27/2002
• An Israeli spy network arrested in Lebanon
  The intelligence directorate in the Lebanese army following a series of investigations announced the discovery and arrest of a network working for the interests of Israel. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Some 49 ministers in the government of Salad Hassan
  In a step in which he was obliged to submit to tribal pressures to get posts in the formation of the new ministry, the Somali prime minister Hassan Abshar Fareh appointed some 49 ministers of state for various ministries Somalia, Politics, 2/27/2002
• UN secretary general paints grim picture of Palestinian women plight
  United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan deplored that "many women were killed or wounded and/or lost their husbands, children or other family members" during the conflict. Palestine, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Inter-parliamentary union holds meeting in marrakesh in march
  The Inter-Parliamentary union (IPU) will hold its 107th session in Marrakesh next March 17 through 23, with the participation of some 1,500 parliamentarians from 142 countries. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 2/27/2002
• Libyan airlines to resume flights to France
  Seif al-Islam al-Qaddafi, son of the Libyan President Muaammar al-Qaddafi arrived on Monday afternoon to Paris on board of an Airbus A 300- 600 of the Libyan airlines, inaugurating thereby the resumption of flights between Tripoli and Paris after a cessation of 11 years. Libya-France, Politics, 2/26/2002
• King Fahd stresses consolidation of Arab solidarity Saudi Arabia-Lebanon, Politics, 2/26/2002
• King Abdullah visits Egypt
  King Abdullah II of Jordan arrived on Tuesday afternoon in Cairo, leading a high-ranking delegation on a flying visit to Egypt for talks with President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Saudi crown prince's initiative and the Arab summit
  The Saudi daily al-Watan issued on Monday said that a high ranking Arab official who visited Paris and other European capitals have told European officials he had met the Syrian leadership and it has no reason to give any sort of opposition to the initiative proposed by the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Solana criticizes Israel Israel-European Union, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Fischer welcomes the Saudi initiative Regional-Germany, Politics, 2/26/2002
• New Palestinian operation against Israeli settlers
  The Palestinian citizen Muhammad al-Hayek ( 43 year old) was shot by Israeli bullets along and his father and pregnant wife were strongly wounded, while all of them were taken to a hospital in the surrounding of al-Hawarra town which is close to Nablus. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Telephone conversations between Mubarak, Annan Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Mubarak discusses with Solana, Danish FM efforts to cool down situation Egypt-European Union, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Ebeid hands a message from Mubarak to Zayed
  The Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday on a few days' visit to the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates-Egypt, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Maghreban union follow-up committee meets
  The ministerial follow-up committee of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) will hold its 39th session in Rabat February 27-28 to assess the regional integration process. Maghreb, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Israeli president welcomes Crown Prince Abdullah initiative
  The Israeli radio on Monday quoted the Israeli President Moshe Katsav as saying that he is ready to visit Saudi Arabia to welcome the initiative proposed by the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to solve the conflict the region, if an invitation will be extended to him. Saudi Arabia-Israel, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Prince Moulay Rachid congratulates king of Bahrain Morocco-Bahrain, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Rabat Hosts Conference on Parliamentary Diplomacy Morocco-France, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Baghdad renews call for lifting imposed sanctions
  Baghdad has renewed its call on the UN Security Council to lift the sanctions imposed on Iraq since more than 11 years, stressing that the UN special committee to eliminate mass destruction weapons in Iraq had completed all its works in all files since years. Iraq, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Morocco renews to UN rejection of sahara partitioning idea, commitment to negotiate
  Morocco has renewed in a letter to the U.N. security council categorical rejection of any proposal meant to harm its territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces and renewed commitment to negotiate a fair and lasting solution on the basis of the draft framework-agreement. Morocco, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Hizbullah says it did not give assurance on Shebaa farms
  Member of the political bureau of the Hizbullah Party Muhammad Fannish has denied that the Hizbullah party has had promised the Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri to halt the operations at Shebaa farms in response to his request for meeting European conditions in this regard, in preparations for convening the Paris conference. Lebanon, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Al-Qaddafi, for restoring stability in Madagascar
  Libyan President Muaammar al-Qaddafi has discussed with Dede Rasheraka, President of the Republic of Madagascar necessary steps to restore back stability to Madagascar. Libya-Madagascar, Politics, 2/26/2002
• UN Chief: The US will not act wisely if it attacks Iraq
  The UN has joined the list of countries which oppose the American threats to direct a military strike to Iraq as the UN secretary general Kofi Annan stressed that the US will behave unwisely if it will launch a military attack against Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Sharon infuriates Paris with charge of Racism
  A storm has erupted in France following Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's statement last week that he is very concerned for the fate of French Jews in light of "the wave of dangerous anti-Semitism sweeping France, Ha'aretz newspaper said Monday. Palestine-France, Politics, 2/26/2002
• 11 killed, 22 wounded in battles among Somalis
  Some 11 persons were killed and other 22 wounded during clashes took place between warrying Somali factions in the capital Makadishu. Somalia, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Presidents of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, in Morocco for summit talks on Peace in Mano River region
  Presidents of Guinea, Lansana Conte, of Liberia, Charles Taylor, and of Sierra Leone, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, arrived in Rabat this Tuesday for summit talks on peace in the Mano river region. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Sharon's Policies cause of continued bloodshed
  Egyptian Civil Affairs Minister Jamil El-Tarifi asserted late Monday those Israeli premier Ariel Sharon's policies were the real cause of the continued bloodshed in the region. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Morocco flatly denies meeting between King Mohammed and former Spanish premier
  The Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation flatly denied this Tuesday news of a secret meeting between King Mohammed VI and former Spanish premier, Felipe Gonzalez. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/26/2002
• European Union criticizes blockade on Arafat
  The European Union has addressed a strongly worded criticism to Israel for the blockade it has imposed on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, asserting Arafat's right to move freely. Palestine-European Union, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Morocco denies Spanish information on readiness to discuss Sahara partitioning
  The Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation denied on Tuesday Spanish press reports that Morocco is ready to discuss, under some conditions, the partition of its Sahara provinces. Morocco, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Israeli assassination crimes are provocations
  US ambassador in Cairo, David Welch described the Israeli assassination crimes committed against Palestinian leadership as provocations and harassment. Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/26/2002
• Morocco calls Spain to clarify its position regarding Morocco
  the Moroccan government has noted recently a number of actions, initiatives and decisions taken by the Spanish government, harming Morocco's higher interests. These attitudes concern the Moroccan Sahara issue, the Spanish-occupied northern towns of Sebta and Melilia, Morocco's sea wealth and the continental plateau off Tarfaya. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/25/2002
• UN chief commends Saudi crown prince initiative Saudi Arabia-Regional, Politics, 2/25/2002
• White House: Mubarak will visit Washington Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Morocco ready for dialogue with Algeria over Sahara issue
  Morocco's permanent delegate to the United Nations Organization in New York, Mohamed Bennouna, said Morocco is ready to open direct dialogue with Algeria, as the major interlocutor in the Sahara issue. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/25/2002
• On Mubarak's visit to the US
  Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher said that the visit's agenda is open to discuss all matters debated at the political and economic levels Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Al-Mashaar praised Saudi initiative on Arab- Israeli conflict
  The Jordanian foreign minister Marwan al-Mashaar has praised the initiative proposed by the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz concerning the Arab- Israeli conflict. Jordan-Regional, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Algerian- American security cooperation
  A delegation representing the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is holding a work visit to Algeria since one week and is holding talks aiming at strengthening security cooperation between the two countries. Algeria-USA, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Masalha to replace Tarif Israel, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Anjoine leader nominates himself for presidency
  Colonel Muhammad Bakkar, the authority leader in Anjoine has announced he nominates himself for the post of President of the island in the elections to be held on March 31st, just one month before the presidential elections of the federation of Comoros. Comoros, Politics, 2/25/2002
• More Afghans to be expelled from UAE
  The United Arab Emirates UAE daily al-Khaleij said on Sunday that the United Arab Emirates will return back more than 1500 Afghans who entered the country illegally. United Arab Emirates-Afghanistan, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Israeli, Palestinian delegations to meet in Moscow
  The Israeli radio said on Saturday that a Palestinian and an Israeli delegations will meet tomorrow in Moscow in the presence of the Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov in order to discuss the Saudi initiative Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Socialist party expresses total refusal of sahara partitioning proposal
  The Socialist Union of Popular forces, of Morocco's premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, expressed total refusal of the Sahara partitioning proposal contained in the latest UN secretary general's report. Morocco, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Arafat gets a telephone call from Powell
  The chairman of the Palestinian authority Yasser Arafat on Sunday called on the American administration to work for halting the implementation of Ariel Sharon's plan in the occupied Palestinian territories. Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Israeli mini cabinet permits Arafat only to move inside Ramullah
  Oreikat said that this decision indicates that the Israeli government has no political program, rather its program is to continue the war against the Palestinians and to destroy the negotiation process. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Mubarak contacted Israeli defense minister
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held a telephone call late Friday with Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Israel Radio reported Saturday. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Bin Ali telephones Arafat
  Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali has renewed Tunisia's position in continued support for the Palestinian cause. Tunisia-Palestine, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Bush, Blair to draw final touches on military attack against Iraq
  The British weekly "the Observer" said that the US President George Bush will hold a summit meeting with the British prime minister Tony Blair in Washington in April in order to draw the final touches on plans to carry out a military action against Iraq. Iraq-UK, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Hillary Clinton in a solidarity visit to Israel
  Member of the US Senate Hillary Clinton has arrived in Jerusalem as a guest of honor to the conference of heads of officials of the American- Jewish organizations after she had arrived on Saturday evening in Jerusalem in a solidarity visit with Israel which would last for 24 hours. Israel-USA, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Kuwaiti information minister visits Egypt, Syria, Lebanon
  Kuwaiti minister of information and acting oil minister Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahd al-Sabah is preparing for an Arab tour which will cover Egypt, Syria and Lebanon. Kuwait-Regional, Politics, 2/25/2002
• UAE expels Afghans
  The UN force in Afghanistan said that the United Arab Emirates UAE on Saturday expelled a group of Afghans considered as "persona non grata" and their plane is expected to reach at Kabul airport. United Arab Emirates-Afghanistan, Politics, 2/25/2002
• UMA secretary general upbeat on Maghreb construction process
  The new secretary general of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) Habib Boulares (Tunisia), said here Monday he is upbeat on the UMA construction process, upon arrival to take up his new office in the Moroccan capital, Rabat. Maghreb, Politics, 2/25/2002
• Sharon holds telephone calls from Powell, Fischer
  The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon on Saturday evening received two telephone calls from the US secretary of state Colin Powell and the German foreign minister Yushka Fischer. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/25/2002

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