Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/14/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 14, 2005

• Lahoud offers condolences on Hariri demise
  The Lebanese President Emile Lhoud on Friday visited the house of the late former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri where he offered condolences to his two sons. This was after he did not attend the Hariri funeral. Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Lebanon searches for 6 suspects who left for Australia
  Lebanon said it is searching for 6 persons that left for Australia from Beirut airport just hours after the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri in the downtown of Beirut, leaving trace of TNT explosives on their seats in the plane. Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Lebanon rejects international investigation of the Hariri assassination
  The Lebanese prime minister Omar Karami on Friday renewed his government's rejection to opening an international investigation to the Hariri assassination. Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Continued moves of the Lebanese opposition
  The reaction of the Lebanese government to appoint a new minister of tourism came after the announcement of the Lebanese opposition on Friday in its meeting following the assassination of Hariri the launching of what it called "the peaceful and democratic uprising for independence," in reaction to the "criminal policy conducted by the Syrian and Lebanese authority." Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Lebanese officials reaction to assassination crime
  Former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Friday voiced great regret over some Lebanese to exploit the assassination of ex-prime Minister Rafic Hariri to serve flagrant political purposes. Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Qaresli and Hariri's assassination
  German MP Jamal al-Qaresli stressed Friday that all evidences indicate that there are international powers, which hate Lebanon, and are involved in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Lebanon-Germany, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Bakradoni calls for a national conference
  Head of Lebanese al-Katayeb Party, Karim Bakradoni, stressed Friday that the late Lebanese ex-Prime Minister Rafic Hariri was always careful to develop the Syrian-Lebanese relations and the state's relation with the national resistance. Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Al-Assad appoints Asef Shawkat as chief of military intelligence
  In a step which was described as to enhance his control on security departments, the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad appointed his brother-in-law ( husband of his sister Bushra) Lt. gen. Asef Shawkat as chairman for the military intelligence in succession of Lt. Gen. Hassan Khalil who has retired. Syria, Politics, 2/19/2005
• A third candidate for the Egyptian presidency against Mubarak
  The Egyptian businessman Muhammad Farid Hassanin has proposed himself for the parliament as a nominee for the presidency of the country. He said that his aim is not to win the presidency, rather to help establish democracy. Egypt, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Justice and Reconciliation Commission looks into fate of forced disappearance victims
  IER will also organize Tuesday a meeting on "violence as a strategy of political management." It will discuss the role political and cultural elites play to face this phenomenon, and will examine means to guarantee that violence will be prevented from re-appearing in the future. Morocco, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Tripoli for more cooperation with Cairo Egypt-Libya, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Morocco, Gabon resolute to reinforce bilateral cooperation
  Morocco and Gabon expressed Thursday determination to reinforce bilateral cooperation in industry, infrastructure, agriculture, housing, transports and telecommunications. Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Rice warns Syria
  The US on Friday warned Syria it will be exposed to more sanctions if it will not help in investigations in the Hariri assassination. Syria-USA, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Libya refuses extension for the final date for Lockerbie compensations
  Libya has refused to extend the final date for the compensation deal of the victims of the Lockerbie plane because Libya has not been removed yet from the American list of terrorism sponsoring states. A matter which bans each member of the families of the victims, 270 persons in total, from receiving more than $ 2 million each. Libya-USA, Politics, 2/19/2005
• UMA countries insist on putting on track the Magreb Union despite differences
  Foreign Ministers of member states of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) made up of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania, have insisted on putting on track the Union despite differences among member countries. Maghreb, Politics, 2/19/2005
• NGO pleads for sensitizing international public opinion on Moroccan detainees in Tindouf
  The London-based international Committee for support of Moroccan detainees in Tindouf called Friday for raising the awareness of the international public opinion on the inhuman conditions and the suffering of Moroccan detainees in Tindouf camps, southern Algeria. Morocco-UK, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Report on oil production export consumption Egypt, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Berri: Lebanese parliamentary election will take place on time Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Al-Khazen stresses Israel's involvement in the Hariri assassination Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• King Mohammed VI to visit three African countries Morocco-Regional, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Qatari papers and pressures on Syria Syria-USA, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Patriarch Sfair and Hariri's Assassination Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Lebanese National Parties and Hariri Assassination Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Continued investigations in Hariri assasination Lebanon, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Annan orders investigations in the Hariri assassination Lebanon-UN, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Kashani deplores Israeli Practices Iran-Israel, Politics, 2/19/2005
• Results of the elections in Iraq
  The higher commission for elections in Iraq said that the list of the United Iraq Coalition list supported by the Shiite clergy Ayatullah Ali al-Seistani got a smaller majority from the seats of the new parliamentary after ratification of final results of the legislative elections carried out by the end of January. Iraq, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Mubarak and al-Qathafi discuss Darfur crisis, regional issues
  The presidential spokesman said Al Ghad party case is being considered by the Egyptian judicial system which, he stressed, had a reputation for integrity. Egypt-Libya, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Lebanese government calls the opposition not to play with Hariri's blood
  The Lebanese government reacted to criticism raised by the opposition against it and accused it of using for political purposes the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri, whose funeral was held on Wednesday in a massive funeral amidst vast demands of an international investigation on his assassination. Lebanon, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Increasing demands for an international investigation of Hariri's assassination Lebanon, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Lebanese opposition escalate confrontation, reject government's accusations
  The Lebanese opposition escalated the tone of its confrontation with the Lebanese government and rejected the accusations addressed to it that it is using the incident of the assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri for political gains. The opposition leader of the Socialist Progressive party, Walid Junblat, described the government as an authority of terrorism, hireling criminal. Lebanon, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Newspapers: Israel is behind assassination of Hariri
  Newspapers from around the world on Thursday raised accusation fingers to Israel regarding the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Qaddoumi accuses superpowers behind Hariri murder
  Senior Palestinian official rejected on Thursday the involvement of any Arab party in the "ugly crime" of killing Lebanese former Premier Rafic Hariri, pointing out rather to great international powers. Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Bush escalates pressure against Syria
  The US President George W. Bush has escalated his pressures on Syria demanding it to withdraw from Lebanon, according to UN Security Council resolution 1559 and to make sure that gunmen that sneak from its lands to Iraq not to be used in support of what he called international terrorism. Syria-USA, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Iranian advisor: cooperation with Syria is not against anyone
  Iranian President Advisor Mohammed Shariati said on Thursday the Syria- Iran cooperation was not against any side or party inside or outside the region. Syria-Iran, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Rice: We have diplomatic tools to use against Syria
  While the US President George W. Bush did not specify certain measures against Syria, the US secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the "US administration considers that it has necessary diplomatic means to force Syria to get out of Lebanon," Syria-USA, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Morocco recalls Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire
  The Moroccan Government has decided to recall its Ambassador to Abidjan following denial by Cote d'Ivoire that it had asked Moroccan King Mohammed VI to exert "mediation efforts" in the crisis in the West African country. Morocco-Cote D'Ivoire, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Cairo rejects a summit on Darfur, an agreement to resume Abuja talks
  Egypt has rejected the call made by the African Union to convene a summit in Cairo over Darur. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Decision to halt punitive house demolitions of Palestinians a tactical matter
  The IDF committee recommending the cessation of punitive demolitions did so only because, in its evaluation, demolitions generate more resistance than deterrence among the Palestinians Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/18/2005
• UMA prospects offer cooperation opportunities to fulfill objectives, FM
  "The large prospects of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) offer us the occasion to cooperate for the fulfillment of the objectives we have been cherishing for long," said Moroccan foreign minister, Mohamed Benaissa. Maghreb, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Morocco, Spain hail 'excellent' cooperation in fight against terrorism, illegal migration
  Morocco and Spain on Thursday said they were pleased with the "excellent level" reached by bilateral cooperation in all fields including the fight against terrorism, people smugglers networks and drug trafficking. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/18/2005
• President Khatami of Iran vows support to Syria Syria-Iran, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Hammoud holds talks with Russian official in Beirut Lebanon-Russia, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Syrian premier meets with Iran's Expediency Council Head Syria-Iran, Politics, 2/18/2005
• Lebanon asks for the Swiss experience in investigating Hariri assassination
  Lebanon has officially asked for the help of Swiss experience in the investigations in the implications of the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri. News reports quoted official sources in Lebanon that Lebanon refused security cooperation with France in the investigation. Lebanon, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Hariri's funeral procession
  The body of former Premier Rafic Hariri and the other six men who were accompanying him were laid to rest at Mohammad al-Amin mosque, downtown Beirut. Lebanon, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Invetsigations of Hariri's assassination
  Special Peace Envoy of the European Union, Marc Oti, on Wednesday expressed confidence that the Lebanese authorities will certainly figure out the responsible party for assassinating the former Lebanese prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Lebanon, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Nasrallah: Lebanon could never be hostile to Syria
  Secretary General of Hizbullah in Lebanon said Tuesday Hariri supported the establishment of excellent fraternal relations with Syria, stressing that "Lebanon could never be hostile to Syria." Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Syria - Iran solidarity
  Syria underlined on Wednesday solidarity with Iran in facing what it has been exposed to of unfair threats under various names and pretexts. Syria-Iran, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Syria's economic relations with Iran to match political closeness
  Syria's Prime Minister Naji Otari depicted on Wednesday his current visit to Tehran as of particular importance due to challenges facing the two countries and the region. Syria-Iran, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Jaafari: no attempts to establish a religious state in Iraq
  Iraqi Interim Vice President and the strongest candidate for assuming the post of the prime minister in the new Iraqi government Ibrahim al-Jafaari denied any attempt to establish a religious state in the country. Iraq, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Russia confirms determination to provide Syria with non shoulder- borne air defense missiles
  Russia on Wednesday stressed its determination to sell new air defense missiles to Syria despite Israel's fears, but it explained that these weapons are middle-range and will not violate the military balance in the Middle East. This, however, did not prevent Washington from expressed unease. Syria-Russia, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Damascus: Direct messages from Rice to the Syrian leadership
  The Syrian official news agency said that the US ambassador in Damascus, Margaret Scobey, handed over the Syrian officials today a message from the US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice concerning Lebanon. Syria-USA, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Gbagbo seeks Moroccan King's mediation to resolve crisis in Cote d'Ivoire
  Cote d'Ivoire president, Laurent Gbagbo, has asked King Mohammed VI of Morocco to make efforts for mediation in order to resolve the crisis in the west African country, the Moroccan foreign ministry said in a release. Morocco-Cote D'Ivoire, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Rumsfeld refuses to estimate the size of resistance in Iraq
  The US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld refused to give any estimates about the size of resistance the American forces and the Iraqi army are facing in Iraq. This was expressed in his testimony before the armed forces committee at the Congress. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/17/2005
• More American losses in Iraq
  Concerning the American losses in Iraq, one American military statement announced the killing of four American soldiers in different attacks and incidents that resulted also in killing other Iraqi victims in various parts of Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Turabi's party meet officials at Washington's embassy in Khartoum
  A group of leaders of the Sudanese People's Congress party held a lengthy meeting with officials in the American embassy in Khartoum on Wednesday. Sudan-USA, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Jordan returns back its ambassador to Israel on Sunday
  Jordan on Wednesday announced that the new Jordanian ambassador to Israel will return back to Tel Aviv on Sunday, four years after his withdrawal following the eruption of the Palestinian Intifada. Jordan-Israel, Politics, 2/17/2005
• International official: Egypt committed to nuclear nonproliferation
  A Senior Western Diplomat in U.N. headquarters in Vienna said the annual report was issued by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the Egyptian nuclear program showed that the nuclear materials and facilities in Egypt inspected by IAEA matched the activities which Egypt had informed the IAEA of it previously. Egypt, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Closer Moroccan-Spanish cooperation helped curb illegal migration, Spanish official
  Closer cooperation between Morocco and Spain against illegal migration, mainly through the joint sea patrols, has helped considerably curb the flow of illegal immigrants to Spain in 2004, according to the Spanish Interior Minister. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/17/2005
• British newspaper suspicion Israel behind assassinating Hariri Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Syrian senior officer stresses close ties with Jordan Syria-Jordan, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Solana and the Situation in the Middle East Regional-European Union, Politics, 2/17/2005
• EU: No Change in Ties With Syria Syria-European Union, Politics, 2/17/2005
• Al-Hariri funeral today, Khaddam takes part
  Normal life stopped in Lebanon yesterday mourning the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri by a booby trapped car in Beirut on Monday that resulted in killing 14 persons including seven of his guards and hundreds were injured. Lebanon, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Denial of a claimed responsibility for Hariri's assassination
  In a statement on the Internet, "al-Qaida organization in Bilad al-Sham" denied responsibility for what it called the Jihad and al-Salafeyah factions to Hariri's assassination incident. Lebanon, Politics, 2/16/2005
• The Lebanese eulogized Hariri in the presence of world leaders
  The Lebanese people are eulogizing today the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri in the presence of a large number of international, regional and official figures in a people's funeral to take the streets of Beirut. Lebanon, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Reactions to murder of Hariri assassination
  Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said Tuesday that he is not eager to the idea which suggested to hold international investigation regarding the murder of former Lebanese Premier Rafic Hariri, adding that he prefers to await to see what Lebanese judiciary decides. Lebanon, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Khaddam: Hariri was assassinated due to his political role
  "Hariri was targeted because of his political role in boosting civil peace in Lebanon ... Enemies of Lebanon and the Arab nation have interest in assassinating peace in Lebanon," Syrian Vice President said Tuesday. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Jaafari as Iraq's prime minister
  The Iraqi coalition which is supported by the Shiite clergy Ayatullah al-Seistani chose the deputy Iraqi Vice President and chairman of the Islamic Dawa party in Iraq, Ibrahim al-Jafaari, to assume the post of the new prime minister. The decision will be issued within 48 hours. Iraq, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Ruling party in Yemen strongly criticizes the speaker of parliament
  The ruling Yemeni congress party launched a strong attack against the speaker of the parliament and leader of the opposition al-Islah ( reforms) party, Abdullah Bin Hussein al-Ahmar, after he described the country as "have entered a dark tunnel." Yemen, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Rice calls on Egypt to reform, release leader of al-Ghad party
  The US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice expressed her country's concern over the arrest of the leader of the Egyptian al-Ghad party Ayman nour and called for solving this issue as soon as possible. Egypt, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Egyptian ministers of information, youths exchange posts
  A limited ministerial reshuffle was announced on Tuesday in the government of the Egyptian prime minister Ahmad Nazif during which the ministers of information and youths exchanged their posts. Egypt, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Syrian state security court sentences 15 convicted to imprisonment
  The Supreme State Security Court sentenced on Tuesday four offenders who partook in the riot events in Dummar neighborhood of Damascus last year and perpetrated devastating acts, four years in prison. Syria, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Rice summons the American ambassador in Damascus
  The US Department Of State announced that the US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice announced the withdrawal of the American ambassador in Damascus signifies a deterioration of the American relations with Syria. Syria-USA, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Qathafi criticizes Annan's suggestions for foreign intervention in Darfur
  Libya's leader Muammar al-Qathafi criticized proposals given by the UN secretary general Kofi Annan over the Sudanese Darfur district, in which Annan called on the NATO and the European Union to interfere in the district. Libya-Sudan, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Further American measures expected against Syria
  The US Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice said that Washington has taken the measures it considers necessary in this phase and will discuss other available options in its efforts to excert pressure on Syria. Syria-USA, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Delegation of Turkish News Agency in al-Quneitra
  Head of Turkish News Agency CIHAN, Camal Biatly, on Tuesday underlined depth of relations between the two peoples, indicating that the delegation will transmit facts on occupied Syrian Golan through CIHAN Agency to the whole world. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Mexico's first lady impressed by social evolutions in Morocco
  Mexico's first lady, Marta Sahagun de Fox, who accompanied her husband during his official visit to Morocco this Feb.11-12, said she was impressed by social evolutions in Morocco, particularly women's access to political life and the deep changes in political life ushered by King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Morocco and Belgium agree on need for permanent consultations on religion
  Moroccan minister of Habous (religious endowments) and Islamic affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, and Belgian foreign minister, Karel de Gucht, agreed this Tuesday in a meeting here on the need to set up a framework of permanent consultation on the Muslim religion in Belgium. Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Spain's fm renews calls to give me peace process a push forward Egypt-Spain, Politics, 2/16/2005
• Lebanese information minister announces mourning of tv and radio Lebanon, Politics, 2/15/2005
• King Mohammed VI to take part in Arab summit of Algiers Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Lahoud gives instructions to maintain security
  The higher council for defense in Lebanon asked after convening an emergency meeting held by the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud to authorize the army in coordination with various other Lebanese security forces to take all measures to control the security situation in the country, following the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri on Monday noon. Lebanon, Politics, 2/15/2005
• King Mohammed VI received Libyan leader's envoy Morocco-Libya, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Unidentified group claims responsibility for Hariri's assassination
  An Anonymous group calling itself "al-Nasra Wal Jihad Fee Bilad al-Sham " (Victory and Jihad in lands of al-Shaam ) claimed responsibility for Hariri's assassination. Lebanon, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Lebanese army announces state of alert
  The Lebanese army announced the state of alert and vehicles and inspection points were made after the killing of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri in a booby trapped car explosion in Beirut on Monday. Lebanon, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Al-assad condemns terrorist act in Beirut
  President Bashar al-Assad on Monday condemned the terrorist act that claimed the life of a number of the Lebanese people, on top of them former Premier Rafic Hariri. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Lebanese opposition holds Lebanese government, Syria responsible for the attacks
  Angry demonstrators attacked a headquarters for the Baath party in Beirut and the house of the prime minister Omar Karami. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 2/15/2005
• World countries condemn assassination of Hariri
  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned the assassination of Lebanese former Premier Rafic Hariri. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Heartless jailors gouged out my eye, former Polisario detainee
  Moroccan Soldier Ahmed Al Hamdaoui returned lately to the motherland after he was sequestered by the Polisario separatists in the Tindouf camps (South-west Algeria) where he was inflicted various forms of torture during 14 years of sequestration. Morocco, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Polisario torture dungeons are hell, former detainee
  The situation in the polisario torture dungeons is "hell," said Captain Youssef Al Makrazi, who just escaped the mercenary gangs of Tindouf, South-West Algeria, where he was inflicted various forms of torture for 14 years of sequestration. Morocco, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Qathafi strong warning against foreign intervention in Darfur Libya-Sudan, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Iraq election to force coalition building
  According to the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), the assembly must also muster a two-thirds majority to overturn presidential vetoes of proposed legislation. Iraq, Politics, 2/15/2005
• NCHR reaffirms confidence in Egyptian judiciary over Nour case
  The Egyptian National Council for Human Rights reaffirmed confidence in the Egyptian judiciary over the case of immunity-stripped MP Ayman Nour, currently under investigative custody over charges of forging official documents for his newly-founded AL-Ghad (Tomorrow) party. Egypt, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Israeli protesters for withdrawal from Gaza
  Israeli demonstrators opposing the withdrawal plan from Gaza, blocked the traffic at the main entrance of Jerusalem and burnt car tires and the police arrested 40 of them. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Handing over Arieha to the Palestinians postponed'
  One Israeli military official asked to anonymous said that differences prevented the handing over of Areiha city to the Palestinian authority. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Israel returns the remains of 15 Palestinians
  Thousands of Palestinians welcomed in Gaza the return back of the remains of 15 Palestinians Israel handed over to the Palestinian authority on Monday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Annan urges European-US work for global collective security
  UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Sunday called on officials gathered in Germany at a leading forum on security to support efforts to strengthen the United Nations so that its system of collective security can better respond to changing conditions in the world. Regional-UN, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Demonstration in Mogadishu against the deployment of forces from Ethiopia, Djibouti
  Thousands of Somalis demonstrated in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Monday in protest of the participation of forces from Ethiopia and Djibouti within forces to be sent by the African Union to the country to keep peace in the African horn. Somalia, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Al-Assad receives Moratinos Syria-Spain, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Spanish foreign minister underlines importance of resumption of negotiations on the Syrian track Syria-Spain, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Syrian people in Golan underline total commitment to their Syrian identity Syria-Israel, Politics, 2/15/2005
• Former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri killed in a large blast in Beirut
  Lebanese "Future TV" today announced the killing of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri in an explosion in Beirut. Lebanon, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Iraqi elections participation at 59%; al-Seistani list wins the majority, Allawi is the third after the Kurds
  The Independent Higher Commission Of The Elections in Iraq announced that the united Iraqi coalition list supported by the Shiite clergy Ayatullah al-Seistani won 48.1% of the votes in the national assembly ( Parliament) elections which took place on January 30th. Iraq, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Damascus releases 55 prisoners, most of them Islamists
  Damascus has released some 55 political detainees most of them are members of the banned Muslim Brothers group, including five Palestinians, two Lebanese, one Iraqi and one Tunisian. Syria, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Statement by the public prosecution regarding MP Ayman Nour and others
  An Egyptian report on the prosecution of Ayman Nour, of al-Ghad party, said: The General Prosecution, being always keen to announce the truth to the public opinion Egypt, Politics, 2/14/2005
• President Vincente Fox: visit to Morocco absolutely conclusive in trade, economy and culture
  Mexican President Vincente Fox said his two-day visit to Morocco, paid at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, was "absolutely conclusive in trade, economy and culture." Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 2/14/2005
• A sit in by the Jordanian opposition in solidarity with trade unions
  Scores of leaders if the Jordanian opposition trade Unions and opposition party leaders and their supporters on Sunday organized a sit-in in front of the Parliament in protest of the decision to prevent vocational trade unions from practicing political activities and government harassment of public life. Jordan, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Visit of international mission to Somalia postponed for security reasons
  The African Union said that it will proceed forward to sending a mission to Somalia to study the possibility of deploying an African force for keeping peace there after the visit of the mission was postponed was postponed for security reasons. Somalia, Politics, 2/14/2005
• It is unacceptable Moroccans continue to be held for such a long time by Polisario, AI official
  It is unacceptable that Moroccan nationals "continue to be incarcerated for such a long time" in Polisario jails in Tindouf (South-west Algeria), said Claudio Cordone, Director general of London-based Amnesty International. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/14/2005
• The action of the Moroccan justice and reconciliation commission is most positive, AI Chief
  The action of the Justice and Reconciliation Commission (IER), in charge of examining past human right violations in Morocco, by holding public hearings on the violations "is most positive," said Claudio Cordone, Director general of Amnesty International. Morocco, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Morocco moves forward on human rights issues, American organisation
  Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington-based organisation, reported that the kingdom has moved forward on human rights issues. Morocco, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Mexican president supports UN efforts to settle Sahara dispute
  Mexican President Vicente Fox Quesada reiterated his country's support to the UN Security Council's efforts to reach a negotiated political solution to the Sahara dispute opposing Morocco to the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario." Morocco-Mexico, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Abbas reaches an agreement with Palestinian groups to fix truce with Israelis
  Chairman of the Palestinian authority Mahmoud Abbas has reached an agreement to fix the interim truce with Israel following his meeting with leaders of the Islamic resistance ( Hamas) and the Islamic Jihad movements in Gaza. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Israeli forces will withdraw from Areiha within 4 days
  News reports quoted well-informed Israeli sources as saying that the Israeli defense minister Shaoul Mofaz notified the Palestinian side that the Israeli forces will withdraw from Areiha within days. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/14/2005
• UN refugee agency gets food, relief aid to Kurds stranded at Iraq-Jordan border
  The United Nations refugee agency has managed to deliver food and relief supplies to 102 desperate Iranian Kurd refugees, including at least five pregnant women and a large number of children, who have been marooned for up to four weeks on the Iraqi-Jordanian border without access to any assistance, the UN said. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Al-Assad holds telephone talks with al-Qathafi Syria-Libya, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Al-Assad Confers with Canada's Foreign Minister Syria-Canada, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Asafi: Iran will never recognize Israel Iran-Israel, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Poli-Journal: Tunisian President and ME peace Tunisia-Regional, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Ferzli stresses right of palestinian refugees to return home Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Turkmani: need to look at roots of Terrorism Syria-Regional, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Syrian premier in an official visit to Iran: boosting economic ties Syria-Iran, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Former UN SG criticizes selectivity in implementing UN resolutions Lebanon-UN, Politics, 2/14/2005
• Israel releases 500 Palestinians Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/14/2005

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