Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/19/2003
Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 19, 2003
- Qathafi, Ben Ali want summit for Maghreb union to start
Concerning the Lockerbie issue, the statement said the Tunisian President "renewed Tunisia's solidarity and unwavering support for Libya in its demands to immediately and definitely lift the embargo imposed on it after its responsible and positive dealing with the case and its commitment to its obligations to what is called the Lockerbie issue." Tunisia-Libya, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Independent Egyptian national council for human rights draft law Wednesday
The Egyptian cabinet in its meeting under Prime Minister Atef Ebeid will review next Wednesday the draft law of National Council for Human Rights in the light of President Hosni Mubarak directives in preparation for submitting it to the People's Assembly during its current session. Egypt, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Portugal backs political solution to Sahara issue Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 5/24/2003
- Mubarak considers with Qaboos today means to carry out the Roadmap plan
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak is to receive today in Sharm El-Sheikh Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman who is to start a few days private visit to Egypt today, accompanied by a number of Omani officials. Egypt-Oman, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Moussa: Arab League effectiveness depends on Arab leaders will
All members of the Arab League are keen to maintain the existence of the pan-Arab organization, said the AL Chief on his arrival back in Cairo from Beirut following a Mid-East tour. Regional, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Jordanian women launch parliamentary elections
Jordanian women will launch a less difficult fight in the Parliamentary elections due on June 17 after a recent amendment for the Jordanian election act that guaranteed women a quota of no less than 6 seats at the 110- member Jordanian parliament. Jordan, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Joint, bilateral meetings for Sudanese opposition in Cairo for coordination
The first meetings between opposition Sudanese leaderships started yesterday in Cairo, announced during the two past days. The meeting included al-Sadeq al-Mahdi the chairman of the Umma party and the chairman of the rebel movement John Garang. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Canada's Deputy FM Lavertu Gaetan on regional issues while visiting Syria
He outlined that in the absence of UN authorization against Iraq "we decided not to take part in the war against Iraq." Syria-Canada, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Bremer desolves the Iraqi army
The US administrator for Iraq Paul Bremer has announced the desolution of the armed Iraqi forces, the ministry of information, and other security structures, used to belong to Saddam Hussein regime, according to one of Bremer's main aides. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Chalabi considers lifting sanctions as a perpetuation of Iraq's occupation
Reactions have continued on the UN Security Council resolution providing for lifting economic sanctions imposed on Iraq since 13 years. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Moroccan-French interior ministers voice convergence of views
Morocco's Interior minister, Mustapha Sahel and French peer Nicholas Sarkozy voiced "a total and complete convergence of views" on all the issues they have debated in Rabat on Friday. Morocco-France, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Morocco, Portugal agree to consolidate ties
Morocco and Portugal wound up in Rabat Thursday the 7th session of their high joint commission with the adoption of a package of agreements meant to upgrade bilateral cooperation. Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Al-Shara contacts on developments, lifting Iraq's sanctions
Syria's foreign minister Farouk al-Shara yesterday received a telephone call from his Spanish counterpart Ana Maria Palacio during which talks dealt with the UN resolution 1483 which was adopted by the UN Security Council on Thursday on the Iraqi issue and lifting Iraq's sanctions and the importance of preserving Iraq's unity and territorial integrity. Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Syria approved UN security council resolution on lifting Iraq sanctions
Syria's voting in favor of the resolution doesn't mean at all a change in its position that has opposed the war which Syria has considered as illegal Syria-Iraq, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Egypt is holding contacts with all those concerned with Iraq
"Egypt is currently holding calm and intensive talks with the different parties concerned with Iraq," Egypt's Political Presidential Adviser said Friday. Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 5/24/2003 - US report wants talks with Libya
A report issued by a commission of American experts said that Libya has changed its position concerning terrorism. The report urged the US to think of resuming talks with this country. Libya-USA, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Al-Shara gets a phone call from Straw Syria-UK, Politics, 5/24/2003
- Egypt: Ball is in Israel's court on peace Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/24/2003
- Anti-terrorism front puts off Sine Die march in casablanca
The Unified Front against Terrorism, Extremism and for Tolerance and Democracy announced on Friday its decision to put off sine die the march it had previously projected to stage here next Sunday in protest against the terrorist bombings that hit Casablanca. Morocco, Politics, 5/24/2003 - Morocco sends urgent humanitarian aid to earthquake-stricken Algerians
Morocco decided to sent an urgent humanitarian aid and technical assistance to support the Algerian earthquake-stricken populations, upon instructions of King Mohammed VI's. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Arab Journalists Union calls for coalition forces withdrawal from Iraq Regional-Iraq, Politics, 5/23/2003
- Security Council approves interim arrangements, UN role in Iraq, lifts sanctions
The United Nations Security Council today adopted a new resolution on Iraq granting wide interim governing powers to the United States and its coalition partners, including a role for a UN Special Representative working with this provisional authority, and lifting sanctions imposed almost 13 years ago following the invasion of Kuwait. Iraq-UN, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Al-Shara confers with Canadian deputy FM Syria-Canada, Politics, 5/23/2003
- Relations between Syria, Kuwait are good, minister Kuwait-Syria, Politics, 5/23/2003
- Bush talks with the Saudi crown prince on US- Saudi relations
The Saudi news agency said that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and the US President George W. Bush held on Wednesday phone talks and discussed relations between Saudi Arabia and the US. The agency said that the two sides discussed conditions in the ME region, foremost being the Middle East peace process. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Morocco, Portugal want to up ties
Morocco and Portugal on Thursday voiced will to give a new impetus to their bilateral cooperation by expanding economic collaboration and investments. Morocco-Portugal, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Two Iraqis killed in attack on Americans, orders for Baathists to surrender
The American occupation authorities in Iraq yesterday ordered officials of the Baath party totaling 10,000 to surrender themselves immediately within the framework of measures aiming at eliminating the former regime of Saddam Hussein. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Bush visits Qatar, Kuwait after Europe and Russia; tripartite summit of Bush, Abu Mazin and Sharon in Geneva
US diplomatic sources said that President George W. Bush will talk for the first time with the Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas ( Abu Mazin ) face to face during a tripartite summit, to be attended by the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, who postponed his visit to Washington because of the deteriorated security conditions in Israel following the escalation of suicide operations. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Terrorists must not stop Morocco's democratization process, Danish fm says
Terrorists must not be given the opportunity to stop Morocco's democratization process or affect the progress achieved in human rights, civil liberties, reforms of society and gender equality, said here on Thursday Denmark's Foreign Affairs minister, Per Stig Moeller. Morocco-Denmark, Politics, 5/23/2003 - New Syrian TV station open in the north
Syria's Information Minister Adnan Omran opened on Wednesday a radio and TV station in the Raqqa governorate. Syria, Politics, 5/23/2003 - British forces to help in Baghdad the US establish security
History repeats itself back when the British forces with the support of the newly founded Jordanian army in 1941 toppled the Iraqi prime minister, then, Rasheed Aali al-Keilani who stood against the crown prince of the Iraqi throne, prince Abdul Illah Bin Ali. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Morocco has potential to become major regional economic pole, US official says Morocco-USA, Politics, 5/23/2003
- Syria did not take part in the UN voting because of time limit
The assistant for Syria's representative at the UN Security Council Faisal Miqdad said yesterday that his country did not take part in the voting session on the US resolution concerning the post war on Iraq because of the short time available to study it. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Spain's fm visits Spanish club targeted in casablanca terrorist attacks Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/23/2003
- Egypt: returning back the ambassador linked to approval of the roadmap
The Palestinian foreign affairs minister Nabil Shaath has stated that Egypt informed the Palestinian Authority and several regional and international sides that it will not invite the Palestinian groups to a new round of dialogue in Cairo before a clear and unconditional consent by the Israeli government to the Roadmap plan and to halt all forms of aggression against the Palestinian people. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Israel converts an Egyptian fishing boat to a new case of smuggling weapons
The Israeli authorities announced that its Naval Commando unit seized an Egyptian boat for smuggling weapons to the Palestinian areas and explained that the seizing operation took place off the coast of Haifa and seven members were arrested. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Morocco's house of representatives passes anti-terrorism bill
It also sanctions those who, directly or indirectly, transfer, raise or manage funds and property destined to serve, entirely or partially, to the conduct of a terrorist act as well as those who provide counseling or assistance to this end. In its procedures chapter, the law regulates searches, in its ordinary and exceptional forms, where there is a risk of fear of evidence disappearance. The bill considers terrorism as a serious crime that justifies the monitoring of telecommunication conversations and contacts. Morocco, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Islamic-leaning party unwanted in Casablanca anti-terrorism march
The Unified Front against Terrorism and Extremism and for Peace, Tolerance and Democracy, set up after last Friday's terrorist attacks on Casablanca, on Thursday expressed its categorical refusal of the Islamists' participation in a popular march the Front is planning to stage here next Sunday. Morocco, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Euro-Mediterranean FMs to discuss working together
The next Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference will be held in Crete on 26-27 May 2003. High on the agenda will be a joint assessment, on the eve of the enlargement of the EU, and how to define the role of the partnership in reducing tensions following the war in Iraq and with the continuing uncertainty in the Middle East Peace Process. Regional-European Union, Politics, 5/23/2003 - Moroccan journalist gets 4-year prison sentence for libel Morocco, Politics, 5/22/2003
- President Saleh pardons Socialist party leaders
Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh yesterday issued a decision pardoning leaders of the Yemeni Socialist Party who led the coupe attempt in 1994, in order to re-establish a government in the southern part of Yemen just four years after the unification of the two parts of the country in 1990. Yemen, Politics, 5/22/2003 - Jacques Chirac: we will support morocco come what may Morocco-France, Politics, 5/22/2003
- Egypt: Founding a national council for Human rights
The Egyptian minister of information Safwat al-Sharif has announced that Egypt decided to establish a national council for human rights. Egypt, Politics, 5/22/2003 - More than 800 candidates for the Jordanian legislative elections
The Jordanian minister of the interior Qaftan al-Majali announced that 821 candidates have registered to take part in the legislative elections due to be held on June 17 in Jordan, while former Jordanian member of parliament Toujan al-Faisal, whose nomination was rejected, is preparing to appeal against this decision. Jordan, Politics, 5/22/2003 - Al-Shara holds telephone talks with Ivanov Syria-Russia, Politics, 5/22/2003
- AL follow up committee meets in Bahrain, Moussa visits Kuwait shortly, stresses Libya will not withdraw
A well- informed source at the Arab League has reiterated news that the AL Secretary General Amr Moussa will visit Kuwait shortly but the source gave no fixed date for this visit which will be of special importance in marking the end of a long difference between Moussa and Kuwait. Regional, Politics, 5/22/2003 - Morocco determined to uphold citizens' security by consolidating democracy, premier says
Morocco's Premier, Driss Jettou, on Wednesday vowed the government's determination to uphold the citizens' security, perfect the democratization process and implement its program aimed at achieving economic development and social justice Morocco, Politics, 5/22/2003 - Daniel Ducarme launches petition for release of Moroccan army officer detained by polisario Morocco-European Union, Politics, 5/22/2003
- Bremer: national conference in July, before interim authority;Iraqi soldiers demonstrate; US businessman: war was for oil
The US administrator of Iraq, Paul Bremer, said that the expected national conference from which an Interim Iraqi authority is expected to emerge will not be held before mid July contrary to what he had announced on the possibility of convening it in June. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/22/2003 - NTV: Jalal al-Talibani proposed to give shelter to Saddam Hussein's wife and daughters
The chairman of the Kurdistani National Federation in Iraq Jalal al-Talibani announced yesterday in Iraq in an interview with the Turkish NTV channel that he had proposed to the wife and daughters of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to receive and host them. Iraq, Politics, 5/22/2003 - Casablanca blasts: Jews 'feel more Moroccan than ever,' Royal Adviser
Adviser to King Mohammed VI, Andre Azoulay, told the British paper The Independent the country had received the active solidarity of a million Moroccan Jews now living abroad Morocco, Politics, 5/22/2003 - Powell meets Sudanese counterpart Sudan-USA, Politics, 5/22/2003
- Jordanian, Canadian talks on ME developments Jordan-Canada, Politics, 5/22/2003
- Moroccan community in Canary Islands strive to give echo to their hushed voice Morocco-Canary Islands, Politics, 5/22/2003
- Anti-terrorism bill was unanimously approved on Tuesday by commission
An anti-terrorism bill was unanimously approved on Tuesday by the justice, legislation and human rights commission of the House of Representatives (lower chamber of the parliament) Morocco, Politics, 5/22/2003 - Former Egyptian finance minister sentenced over corruption
Officials said that the supreme state criminal court sentenced the former finance minister Mohey Eddine al-Gharib to eight year imprisonment with hard labor over accusations of confiscating public funds. Egypt, Politics, 5/21/2003 - Religious Fatawa, interests prevent participation Kuwaiti women in politics
Nevertheless, the demographic map of the Kuwaiti people stresses that the absence of the Kuwaiti woman from political participation means that more than half of the Kuwaiti population are deprived from choosing their parliament which enacts laws that is of concern to the society men and women. Kuwait, Politics, 5/21/2003 - American, British, and German embassies in Saudi Arabia closed
The world yesterday lived the fears of a expected terror attacks where the US said that the al-Qaida organization intends to launch attacks in Saudi Arabia or in the USA, according to intelligence informationthat led to a decision to the American, German and British diplomatic withdrawal from Saudi Arabia and declaring a state of alert, as the Bush administration raised the level of terror level, blocked the area besieging the White House and the US additional nationwide security measures. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/21/2003 - Iraqi interim administration to draw constitution; elections in two years, occupation will deliver authority only to an elected government
The Anglo- American occupation administration of Iraq announced yesterday its determination for form an interim Iraqi administration, that stems from a national conference decided to be held by the end of June or July. The basic mission of this interim administration is to draw a new constitution to the country, stressing that the authority will be only transferred to an "elected government," but this administration to be not formed before one to two years. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/21/2003 - Occupation abrogates Iraqi intelligence: the media, interior and defense employees sacked
The chairman of the committee which runs the affairs of the Iraqi foreign ministry, Muhammad Amin Ahmad, said that his ministry received American instructions state to sack the employees of the ministries of information, defense and the interior and to abrogate the general intelligence department, while the occupation administration continued to rule out former officials from the Iraqi administrations. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/21/2003 - Sudan announces readiness to extend ceasefire agreement with rebels
Khartoum has announced it will extend the ceasefire agreement with the rebels, noting that the move towards a final agreement to end two decades of war is still slow. Sudan, Politics, 5/21/2003 - Politician: Lt. Gen. Al-Khazraji is in Iraq
Ahmad al-Khazraji, son of the former leader of the Iraqi armed forces Lt. Gen. Nizar al-Khazraji stressed yesterday that his father, who fled in March from Denmark where he was in custody, is now in Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 5/21/2003 - Jibril: resistance escalate despite offices closure
Jibril added "I do not think that this ( Palestinian) people who during the past 24 hours carried several operations had received instructions from Damascus or Beirut or from anywhere else … resistance has become a popular phenomenon." In a statement to press, Jibril said that "the Palestinian question is much larger than a group of offices opened here or there," noting that "rather, the question is that a crime was committed against the Palestinian people since 50 years and 4 million Palestinians are in Diaspora." Palestine-Syria, Politics, 5/21/2003 - Mubarak gets a message from Qabous Egypt-Oman, Politics, 5/21/2003
- Jordanian King gets a message from Argentina President Jordan-Argentina, Politics, 5/21/2003
- On Darfour incidents in Sudan Sudan, Politics, 5/21/2003
- European ministers statement Regional-European Union, Politics, 5/21/2003
- Phone call between Bush, Mahmoud Abbas Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/21/2003
- Morocco takes part in APU executive committee meeting
Speaking at the encounter, secretary of Libya's General Popular Council, Zinati Mohammed Zinati, underlined the necessity to establish bases for democracy, grant importance to human resources and fight terrorism and poverty. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 5/21/2003 - Islamic Unity Conference wraps up meetings
Participants at the 16th conference of the Islamic Unity called on for serious work to activate world conscience in order to act to end the Israeli brutal acts against the Palestinian people. Regional, Politics, 5/21/2003 - Qathafi in Tunisia Tunisia-Libya, Politics, 5/20/2003
- Al-Watan: Saudi human rights committee to be declared within days
An official source at the Saudi Arabian foreign ministry said that the civic human rights committee which was approved by the Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz includes 40 members of university teachers, members of the Shura council, lawyers and certain academics will be announced within the few coming days. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Jordan: nomination for elections started, Toujan al-Faisal prevented
Toujan al-Faisal, the first Jordanian woman elected as a member at the Jordanian parliament from 1993 to 1997, denounced this rejection as being a "political " attempt to alienate her from the legislative elections. She stressed she will appeal this decision. She added " this decision has not surprised me. The prime minister asked me not to nominate myself." Jordan, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Egypt, Sudan to build highway Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/20/2003
- Terrorist attacks target morocco's democratic process, Denmark Morocco-Denmark, Politics, 5/20/2003
- Al-Assad meets with Danish FM
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received in Damascus on Monday Denmark's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Per Stig Moller, and an accompanying delegation. Syria-Denmark, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Danish FM: Syria is a central player in regional issues
Al-Shara continued that the other point relates to the importance of achieving peace between the two sides. He said for many times the Palestinians stopped their operations on the hope the Israeli side will start the implementation of the Roadmap, known previously as "Mitchell plan," however, Israel never stopped its military acts against the Palestinians in acts of incursions, detention and killings. Syria-Denmark, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Syrian Republic Mufti Israel decision to permit settlers into al-Aqsa Mosque Syria-Palestine, Politics, 5/20/2003
- Egypt's People's Assembly denounce Israeli decision allowing Jews to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/20/2003
- AL to probe mass graves in Iraq- Moussa Regional-Iraq, Politics, 5/20/2003
- On Syrian Prime minister's visit to Sudan Damascus
Syria's Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa Miro returned home on Sunday wrapping up a four- day official visit to Sudan during which he headed the Syrian delegation to the Syrian-Sudanese Higher Committee's 3rd session. Sudan-Syria, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Moroccan minister meets Arab human rights organization's secretary general
Moroccan human rights minister, Mohamed Aujjar, met here on Friday with secretary general of the Arab organization of human rights (AOHR), Mohamed Fack. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Red Cross worried by situation of Moroccan POWs in Algeria
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it was "extremely worried by the very long captivity" of Moroccan POWs by the Polisario in Algeria. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/20/2003 - GCC' s biannual summit Wednesday in Riyadh
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states will convene their biannual meeting on Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during which the participants will discuss the situation in Iraq, the Palestinian- Israeli conflict and terrorism. Gulf, Politics, 5/20/2003 - A border crossing opened between Iraq and Syria for trade
One member of the former Iraqi opposition in exile Mashaan al-Jabbouri and the leaders of the Iraqi al-Watan ( homeland) party yesterday opened one border crossing between Syria and Iraq for "trade and commodity." Iraq-Syria, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Al-Ahram: Austria president condemns attempts to link Islam to terrorism
Austrian President, Tomas Klistel has condemned on Monday attempts of connect Islam with terrorism stressing that Islam calls for justice, equality and rejects aggression and occupying of other lands by force. Regional-Austria, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Vesavismaya Ghazetta: Israel and the war for water
The Israeli minister for relations with the Jewish communities abroad and Jerusalem affairs, Nathan Sharanski, said that Israel is ready for war and that water for it is a matter which is of no less importance than oil. Regional-Israel, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Moroccan FM expected in London
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, is expected this Monday in London for a two-day visit to the United Kingdom. Morocco-UK, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Voting for lifting UN sanctions off Iraq tomorrow
The US has stressed yesterday its rejection of an Iraqi government in Baghdad, rather to be confined to an interim authority that stems from a national conference expected to be held in June, under the pretext that the Iraqi groups which were formed under its auspices in what is known as "the council of 7" lacks people's representation because it was "not elected" by the people. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Egyptian- Romanian relations reviewed Egypt-Romania, Politics, 5/20/2003
- Alwan: Sudan denies presence of al-Qaida on its territories Sudan, Politics, 5/20/2003
- CIA director visits Kuwait Kuwait-USA, Politics, 5/20/2003
- Moroccan Jews Celebrate in Essaouira Saint Festival
Several Moroccan Jews travelled to the locality of Ait Bayoud, 70 km east of the Moroccan Atlantic city of Essaouira, to celebrate the festival of the Saint Rabbi Nassim Ben Nassim who is buried there. Morocco, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Terrorist attacks target morocco's tolerance and openness, Jewish figures
The string of five terrorist attacks that rocked Casablanca on Friday are targeting Morocco's tolerance and openness, said Serge Berdugo, President of Morocco's Jewish Community. Morocco, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Morocco, a gateway of prosperity, democracy in mideast, Africa, former us ambassador)
The Friday terrorist attacks against Casablanca were aimed at harming "the spirit of tolerance and the values of openness and social and multi-faith coexistence" in Morocco, said Edward Gabriel, former US ambassador to Morocco. Morocco-USA, Politics, 5/20/2003 - Yemen: a new government before results of the elections
The Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh formed on Saturday a new government including 17 new ministers out of 35, all of them belonging to the ruling People's Congress party. Yemen, Politics, 5/19/2003 - Bremer denies intention to postpone forming an interim government in Iraq
The chairman of the American civil administration in Iraq, Paul Bermer, has denies news that Washington intends to transfer the authority of an Iraqi Interim government as decided during the few coming weeks. He said that these news are groundless. Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/19/2003 - Al-Bashir meets with Syrian premier
Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir received in Khartoum on Sunday Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa Miro and an accompanying delegation. Sudan-Syria, Politics, 5/19/2003 - Al-Fahoum: Palestinian groups freeze media activity to avoid American pressure on Syria
Former chairman of the Palestinian national council, Khaled al-Fahoum, stressed that the Palestinian groups "voluntarily" froze media activities, their only activity in Damascus, because of their assessment of the American pressure on Syria. Syria-Palestine, Politics, 5/19/2003 - A mediation between Syria and the Lebanese opposition
Former Lebanese foreign minister Fouad Butrous has stated he is playing a mediating role between Syria and the Lebanese Christian opposition represented in "Qurnet Shahwan" in order to bring view points together away from limelight. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/19/2003 - AL chief resumed Arab tour
The secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa arrived in Sanaa yesterday in an official visit to Yemen during which he held talks with the Yemeni officials on developments on the ME region. Regional-Libya, Politics, 5/19/2003 - Iran- Iraq exchange remains of 128 soldiers
Iraq and Iran yesterday exchanged, under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross the remains of 128 soldiers killed during the Iraqi- Iranian war which lasted between 1980- 1988. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 5/19/2003 - Islamic World Association deplores Israeli practices concerning al-Aqsa mosque
Islamic World has warned against the danger of the Israeli decision, which allows Jews to pray at al-Aqsa mosque. Regional-Israel, Politics, 5/19/2003 - Al-Assad- Qathafi hold telephone talks Libya-Iraq, Politics, 5/19/2003
- Lahoud confers with Solana Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 5/19/2003
- Khatami: tour on Arab states was very important, a success Regional-Iran, Politics, 5/19/2003
- Kuwait: elections on July 5th Kuwait, Politics, 5/19/2003
- Egyptian FM warns against Israeli practices Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/19/2003
- Al-Aqsa association warns against permitting Jews to enter the Mosque Regional-Israel, Politics, 5/19/2003
- A Kuwaiti plane in Iraq for the first time since 1990 Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 5/19/2003
- Ahmad Hassan al-Baker statue toppled
Iraqis, chanting joyfully, yesterday toppled a statue for the former Iraqi President Ahmad Hassan al-Baker who ruled Iraq directly before Saddam Hussein and the last symbol of the rule of the Iraqi Baath Party which lasted for 35 years. Iraq, Politics, 5/19/2003 - Aleppo governor meets with Turkish delegation
Aleppo Governor, Osama Adi, received on Saturday a delegation of Turkish University of Gaziantep chaired by Hussein Filiz, Chairman of the University Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/19/2003