Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 2/28/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of February 28, 2005

• Al-Assad: we will withdraw our forces completely; we committed mistakes in Lebanon
  The Syrian President Bashar al- Assad said today in his speech before the Syrian parliament in Damascus at 6 p.m. ( local Time) that Damascus will withdraw its forces positioned in Lebanon, fully to the Bekaa area and then to the area of the Lebanese- Syrian border area. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Syria announces withdrawal plan from Lebanon
  The Syrian deputy foreign minister Walid al-Muallim announced that Damascus will disclose shortly what he described a fixed plan to withdraw its forces from Lebanon. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Negotiations continue in Iraq to agree on government
  Concerning political developments in Iraq, the Iraqi prime minister whose term of office had expired announced on Friday that the government is preparing all conditions so that the National Assembly will convene its first session shortly. Iraq, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Shura Council to discuss today report by constitutional committee on the amendment of the constitution
  The Egyptian Shura Council under its Speaker Safwat al-Sherif today starts debates on the report by the constitutional and legislative committee on President Mubarak request for amending article No. 76 of the constitution under which the president of the republic would be selected through direct and secret balloting. Egypt, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Continued controversy in Lebanon over solution to the political crisis
  Political controversy continued in Lebanon on Friday over the form and nature of the next government between parties and blocs which stand in support of the government and the opposition alike. Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Lahoud calls for inter Lebanese national dialogue
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has stressed the necessity for all the parties to raise themselves to the level of national responsibility and commit themselves to the national principles that have protected and fortified Lebanon's position and have returned to it its role at the regional and international forums. Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Hizbullah official and the situation in Lebanon
  Deputy Secretary General of the Lebanese Hizbullah Party, Sheikh Naeem Kassem, has stressed that the United States and Israel do not want freedom to the Lebanese people or to preserve its independence and sovereignty but they want to deprive Lebanon of its capability of resistance. Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Russian FM confers with Syrian deputy FM
  Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov discussed with Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister, Walid Muallim the developments in the region and the Lebanese issue. In a statement to reporters following the meeting, Lavrov said his country was satisfied by the plans of the Syrian side regarding Lebanon and the forthcoming withdrawals form the Lebanese territories. Syria-Russia, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Egyptian-Tunisian trade to double in three years to $200 million
  Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif will deliver a message from President Hosni Mubarak to his Tunisian counterpart Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali on the latest developments on the Palestinian and Iraqi arenas as well as the bilateral cooperation in the economic and investment domains. Egypt-Tunisia, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Lahoud assures security in Lebanon
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud stressed Friday that there is no fear of any lack of security in Lebanon. "Everything is going on within the Lebanese constitutional framework," Lahoud said during a meeting with Egypt ambassador in Beirut Hussein Derar. Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Lebanese sources: booby-trapped car is behind Hariri incident
  " Lebanese judicial sources on Friday said that a booby-trapped car was likely behind Beirut blast which led to death of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri," Lebanese National Agency said Friday. Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Minister of information underlines relations with Turkey
  Syria's Minister of Information on Thursday underlined that the deeply-rooted Syrian-Turkish relations are based on the political, economic and social joint interests. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/5/2005
• A new border center between Syria and Jordan
  Directorate of services at the center supplies needed services to 30,000 passenger a day as it started since March 2002 to provide the unified pass book for cars registered in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan and adopted as a unified document for cars movement among the three Arab states. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Arab League stresses support to Lebanon
  The Arab League's Council underlined rejection to intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs and any attempt to damage the Lebanese-Syrian fraternal relations, asserting keenness on Lebanon's sovereignty, security and stability and rejection of Israeli occupation of Shabaa farms. Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Morocco to level itself with European norms, PM
  The reforms introduced in all fields will level Morocco with the European standards, said in Rabat Thursday, Moroccan Premier, Driss Jettou. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Italian commune supports march in favor of polisario-detained Moroccans
  The release up to now of only some Moroccans detained in the polisario camps "is contrary to humanitarian law," and to the Geneva convention which stipulates that prisoners must be freed as soon as a cease-fire is enforced, said the communal council of Pontremoli, North Italy. Morocco-Italy, Politics, 3/5/2005
• American organization supports march for the liberation of Moroccans detained in Tindouf
  The American Council for Moroccan POWs (ACMP) voiced support to the March 6th march to take place in Rabat to call for the liberation of the Moroccans detained in Tindouf, Southwest Algeria. Morocco-USA, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Shalgam: AU rejects any foreign intervention to solve Darfur crisis Libya-Sudan, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Al-Wattan: Israel is responsible for Hariri's Assassination Kuwait-Lebanon, Politics, 3/5/2005
• King Mohammed visits Mauritania next Monday Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Syria denies differences with Saudi Arabia over Lebanese issue Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Saudi FM: talks with Syria are fruitful Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Mubarak phones Saudi CP Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Saad on the Taif Accord Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Bush rejects incomplete measures in the Syrian pull out from Lebanon Syria-USA, Politics, 3/5/2005
• NGO asks Swedish parliament to intervene to lift blockade on sequestrated Moroccans Morocco-Sweden, Politics, 3/5/2005
• Second phase of Saudi municipal elections started
  Saudi Arabian voters in the governorates situated to the eastern part of the country and to the south headed yesterday for the ballot centers to choose their representatives in the second phase in the municipal elections in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Kuwait agrees to open a Palestinian embassy
  The Palestinian charge de affairs in Amman Atallah Kheiri said that the Kuwaiti authorities agreed a request by the Palestinian authority to open an embassy for it in Kuwait. Kuwait-Palestine, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Al-Jafaari accepts a Kurdish Presidency for Iraq, reserves over Karkouk
  The candidate of the United Iraqi Coalition for Prime Minister of the Iraqi government, Ibrahim al-Jafaari, notified leaders of the Kurdish parties during their meetings with him in Irbil and al-Suleimaneyah, his readiness to agree on that leader of the Kurdistani national federation party Jalal al-Talibani will assume the Presidency of the republic, but he stressed he will not accept the demand of expanding the Kurdish territories along the border with Karkouk. Iraq, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Saudi Arabia recommends immediate Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon
  The Saudi crown prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz on Thursday recommended the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to withdraw quickly from Lebanon and announce scheduling this withdrawal so as to withstand international pressures imposed on his country and to contain the Lebanese crisis. Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Mubarak talks with al-Faisal on settling Syria- Lebanese crisis
  Before taking part in the meeting held between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Saudi crown prince in al-Riyadh, the Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal was in Egypt, he discussed with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak the possibility of reaching an agreement formula between the Taif agreement and the UN Security Council resolution in order to settle the Lebanese- Syria crisis. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Yemeni- German economic agreements, Gulf interests in railways
  Yemen and Germany have finalized three economic cooperation agreements during the visit carried out by the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to Sanaa, which was the first visit by a German Chancellor to Yemen. Yemen-Germany, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Al-Qathafi: Libya is taking part effectively in fighting world terrorism
  In a celebration on Libya's founding anniversary in Sert city to the east of Tripoli, the Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi stressed that his country is effectively taking part in fighting what he called world terrorism and organized crime. He stressed "any country not active in this regard will be damaging for the international community and does not win its respect. Libya, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Syrian reinforcements in the Bekaa
  Witnesses said that Syrian soldiers positioned in the Lebanese Bekaa plain reinforced their positions in the area which the Taif accord states the Syrian forces would redeploy to. The Syrian soldiers were seen digging trenches especially in Deir Zanoun, 10 Kilometers from the Syrian borders. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Washington discusses punishing Syria
  A high ranking official in the American government said that Washington is discussing with its European allies taking joint measures to punish Syria in case it is slow in withdrawing its forces from Lebanon. Syria-USA, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Lebanese Islamic Council: relations with Syria are strong
  Supreme Islamic Council in Lebanon stressed on Thursday that relations between Syria and Lebanon are distinguished and strong. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Israeli delegation visits Libya to discuss compensations for Jews
  The Israeli daily Jerusalem Post said on Thursday that the official in the World Organization for Libyan Jews, Ramy Kahloun, will visit Libya within the two coming months on top of a delegation including between 15 to 20 Israelis of Libyan origin so that it is for the first time Israelis get into Libya. Libya-Israel, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Arab foreign ministers meeting
  Arab League Secretary General and Arab Foreign ministers underlined on Thursday the need to keep the Taif agreement between Syria and Lebanon and supported Syria's calls to use the language of dialogue as to solve problems. Regional, Politics, 3/4/2005
• A summit in Sharm al-Sheikh in support of the Palestinians
  President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held talks in Sharm al-Sheikh resort dealt with security issues and results concluded by the London peace conference which was held on Tuesday in support of the Palestinian establishments. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Morocco donates Senegal 250,000 litres of pesticides and anti-locust equipment
  The donation was made this Thursday in the port of Dakar, in a ceremony chaired by king Mohammed VI, currently on a visit to Senegal and Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Experts call for re-launch of Maghreban free trade zone
  Maghreban experts called, on Thursday, for the re-launch of the project of the Maghreban free trade zone and for the integration of e-trade techniques to help boost exchanges between countries of the region. Maghreb, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Egypt: massive resignation in al-Ghad party Egypt, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Lebanese parties meeting calls for constructive dialogue Lebanon, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Mubarak, Qathafi discuss Darfur conditions on phone Egypt-Libya, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Over 500,000 postcards call UN to help release Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf
  Over 500,000 postcards call United nations to help release Moroccans sequestered in the Tindouf camps (southern Algeria). Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Lavrov and the situation in Lebanon Lebanon-Russia, Politics, 3/4/2005
• Qathafi wants freedom to prosper in Libya
  The Leader also stressed the freedom of scientific research, freedom of knowledge, education Libya, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Qathafi calls for the abrogation of the UN Security Council
  Libya's leader Muammar al-Qathafi said on Wednesday that the UN has to end the role of the UN Security Council and assign its authorities to the UN General Assembly, should it eventually want to be a democratic organization. Libya-UN, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Mubarak against limiting terms of office: amending the constitution is not in my interest
  The Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak announced he does not support limiting the number of term of offices for the President of the Republic to two terms as demanded by the opposition parties in the country. Egypt, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Junblat welcomes al-Assad's announcement to withdraw from Lebanon
  The initiative of the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad that his country's forces which have been in Lebanon since 30 years will leave Lebanon within months, received cautious welcome from prominent opposition leaders. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Morocco, Burkina Faso urge for the release of Moroccan POWs in Southern Algeria
  Visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco and President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, have urged the international community to step up efforts for the release of some 400 Moroccan prisoners of war still detained by the separatist movement "Polisario" in the Tindouf camps, south-western Algeria. Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/3/2005
• American cautious welcome to al-Assad's announcement
  The US has welcomed the announcement by the Syrian president on withdrawal from Lebanon, but said that the matter should take less than one month. Syria-USA, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Al-Zarqawi days are numbered
  Commander of the American central leadership Gen. John AbiZaid considered that the Iraqi security forces are not ready to challenge what he called the rebellion without the support of the American forces and the coalition forces. Iraq, Politics, 3/3/2005
• One Iraqi judge assassinated
  In another development in Iraq, one judge, member if the special judicial commission which is in charge of trying the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and senior officials in the former regime was assassinated by gunmen. Iraq, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Jordan's foreign minister on Saturday in Ramullah and Tel Aviv
  The Jordanian foreign minister Hani al-Malqi will head on Saturday to Israel in a two day visit which is the first for a Jordanian official since four years aiming at "bringing back warmth" to the relations between the two countries, according to al-Malqi. Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Abbas on the establishment of the Palestinian state
  The chairman of the Palestinian authority Mahmoud Abbas stressed on Wednesday the need to allow what he called the "opportunity of the new age for peace and hope in the Middle East to work in order to establish a Palestinian state as soon as possible." Palestine, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Israel criticizes London's conference
  Israel on Wednesday criticized the conference which was held in London on Tuesday. Though the office of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon described the conference condemnation of what he called terrorism as a positive result Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/3/2005
• King Mohammed VI, Senegalese president hold private talks Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Presidents al-Assad holds telephone talks with Heinz Fischer of Austria Syria-Austria, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Islamic Shiite Council defends ties with Syria Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/3/2005
• A call for a full awareness of dangers of conspiracies against Lebanon Lebanon, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Qathafi: superpowers do not have friends Libya-USA, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Abul- Gheit: We have no information on tripartite summit in Riyadh Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Turkish statement voicing support for Syria Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/3/2005
• Al-Assad: withdrawal within coming months
  The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced that Syria will withdraw its forces from Lebanon within "the few next months " amid news about the visit he will hold to Riyadh after his meeting today with the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in Damascus. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Amir of Qatar in Damascus today
  The reports indicated that this visit falls in the course of the current moves within the Arab confines to contain the implications of the killing of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri on each of Syria and Lebanon. Syria-Qatar, Politics, 3/2/2005
• NDP Parliamentary body unanimously approves Mubarak's historic initiative
  Egypt's National Democratic Party NDP parliamentary body, at its meeting yesterday, agreed in principle on the historic initiative launched by President Hosni Mubarak for amending Article no. 76 of the constitution under which the President of the Republic would be selected through direct and secret balloting. Egypt, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Morocco to lift reserves on women discrimination convention, Minister
  Morocco will lift its previous reserves relating to the convention banning all forms of discrimination against women, revealed, in New York Tuesday, the Secretary of State in charge of Family, Childhood and Disabled persons, Yasmina Baddou. Morocco, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Clashes between Nour supporters and the Egyptian police
  Scores of supporters of the Egyptian al-Ghad opposition party demonstrated in Cairo on Tuesday demanding the release of the detained leader of the party Ayman Nour. Egypt, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Bahrain detains man that runs an Internet site that criticized the government
  The Bahraini security forces detained a man who runs a site on the Internet viewed as criticizing the government and the ruling family. Bahrain, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Open debate needed on freedom of expression in Tunisia
  The International freedom of expression organisations called for open debate on freedom of expression in Tunisia in preparation for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to be held in Tunis, in November 2005. Tunisia, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Washington proposes help, Lebanese opposition continue sit in
  The US proposed to help the Lebanese people in carrying free and transparent elections following the resignation of the government of Omar Karami following the pressures by the opposition. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Past rights violations hindered economic development in some Moroccan regions
  Some regions in Morocco have been affected by human rights violations committed in the past, and were hence unable to benefit from economic development projects launched in the country, said a human rights activist. Morocco, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Al-Jafaari consults with the Kurds
  The candidate for the post of the prime minister in Iraq, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, started his consultations on Tuesday with the Kurdish officials over the future of the political operation in the country. Iraq, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Syria- Jordan border agreement finalized
  Syria's Minister of Interior said on Tuesday the Syrian-Jordanian border demarcation accord stipulated implementation of international border accords Jordan-Syria, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Morocco, Burkina Faso sign package of cooperation accords
  The two African countries, which also signed a joint communique, agreed to consolidate cooperation in social and humanitarian fields, and to jointly explore the technical progress that contribute to sustainable development. Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Turkish campaign of solidarity with Syria begins
  Turkey's popular campaign of solidarity with Syria against US and international pressures set off on Tuesday from Ankara heading to Damascus and Aleppo. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Georgia forces increased
  The Georgian armed forces announced that its forces rallied under the coalition forces in Iraq as of Tuesday increased from 300 to 850 soldiers. Iraq-Georgia, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Final communique calls on Israel to implement its obligations under the road map
  The London conference for supporting the Palestinian Authority wrapped up its activities yesterday with the final communique calling on Israel to undertake its commitments under the Roadmap to peace plan. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 3/2/2005
• President al-Assad and Saudi Crown Prince Discuss Regional Issues Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Lebanese dignitary underlines national unity Lebanon, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Syrian official source denies Italian paper statement Syria-USA, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Blair: Middle East peace key to world Regional-UK, Politics, 3/2/2005
• UAE paper denounces Israeli threats against Syria United Arab Emirates-Syria, Politics, 3/2/2005
• King Mohammed VI receives eminent Burkina Faso Moslem figures Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Chief of the PLO denies accusations against Syria Palestine-Syria, Politics, 3/2/2005
• Montreal Sit-in to call for release of Moroccan Pows in Algeria Morocco-Canada, Politics, 3/2/2005
• March to be staged in Rabat in support of Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf
  The Moroccan NGO 'Watanouna' (our nation) will organize on March 6 a national march in support of the Moroccans held against their will in the Tindouf camps (southern Algeria) by the Algeria-backed Polisario front that is claiming the separation of Morocco's southern provinces (known as the Sahara), announced its vice president, Saadia Saadi. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 3/1/2005
• President Assad's message to Saudi leaders Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Al-Assad expects American war, rejects to withdraw from Lebanon, instantly
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad compared in press statements the American pressures against his country to what had happened with Baghdad's government prior to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, stressing he expects an American war against his country since the end of Iraq's war. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Karami announces the resignation of the Lebanese government
  The Lebanese prime minister Omar Karami on Monday evening announced the resignation of his government following strong pressures practiced by the opposition since the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri. Lebanon, Politics, 3/1/2005
• US welcomes Karami's resignation
  The US has welcomed the resignation of the Lebanese government led by Omar Karami and considered that this step represents what it called an opportunity to elect a new government that reflects pluralism in Lebanon, to be formed apart from any foreign intervention. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Lebanese's opposition reaction to Karami's resignation
  Following the sudden resignation of the Omar Karami government on Monday evening, the Lebanese opposition held a meeting in Qreitem in order to discuss the implications of the resignation. Lebanon, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Syria, Jordan sign joint agreements
  The Syrian- Jordanian Higher Joint Committee on Monday wrapped up its deliberations by signing a bulk of agreements and memos in fields of science, economy, trade, tourism, agriculture, industry training, media and health. Syria-Jordan, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon according to the Taif Accord, with Lebanese authorities
  The Syrian ambassador in Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Nizam Eddien, said that the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara stressed during his meeting with Saudi officials in Riyadh on Monday that Syria will work for re-scheduling its withdrawal from Lebanon according to the Taif accord and in coordination with the Lebanese authorities. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 3/1/2005
• People's Assembly agrees in principle on amending the Constitution
  The People's Assembly's General Committee agreed in principle at its meeting yesterday under Ahmed Fathi Sorour on President Mubarak's request for amending Article No. 76 of the Constitution on the election of the President of the Republic. Egypt, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Minister says King's visit to Burkina Faso, 'historic'
  Moroccan Minister delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, has described the current visit of King Mohammed VI to Burkina Faso as "historic." Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Lebanese parliament and Karami's resignation
  Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament called for abstaining from launching blind accusations that could exacerbate Lebanese relations with Arab and foreign states. Lebanon, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Tunisian opposition: Sharon will only walk on our bodies
  The Tunisian opposition vowed yesterday not to permit the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, who was invited by the Tunisian President Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali, to take part in a summit sponsored by the UN on information technology which will be held in Tunis in November, to reach the place of convening the summit "except over the bodies" of its members. Tunisia-Israel, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Bin Laden calls on al-Zarqawi to target the American territories
  One American official specialized in fighting terrorism disclosed that the leader of al-Qaida organization Osama Bin Laden called since a while on his main alley in Iraq and leader of al-Jihad Qaida organization in Mesopotamia to take part in attacks targeting the United States lands. Regional-USA, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Israel briefs Western ambassadors on Syria's involvement in Tel Aviv operation
  Israel alleged that it had information that points to Syria's role in the operation which took place on Friday in Tel Aviv and resulted in killing five Israelis and injuring other 50. Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Velayati: pressures on Syria to destabilize security Syria-Iran, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Haartez: Amman does not rule out King Abdullah's visit to Israel Jordan-Israel, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Baradei: Egypt poses no nuclear threat Egypt, Politics, 3/1/2005
• Egyptian opposition welcomes decision on multiparty presidential elections
  The Egyptian opposition parties and movements almost unanimously stated that the decision of the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to amend the constitution to permit more than one candidate to enter the presidential elections is a guarantee for Egypt's stability. Egypt, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Mubarak asks the People's Assembly and the Shura Council to amend article no 76 of the Constitution
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak said he asked the parliament to amend the constitution to allow multiple candidates to run for the presidential elections. Egypt, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Government of Karami resigns, demonstrations today pro and against French, American intervention in Lebanese affairs
  Representatives of pro- Syria Lebanese parties and societies called for demonstration today, Monday, in Beirut in protest of what they called the French- American intervention in the Lebanese internal affairs. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Fathi Sorour: Egyptian Parliament to discuss constitutional amendment on March 12
  The proposed change would allow Egyptian citizens to enter the presidential race, under certain criteria ensuring that the candidate would not manipulate the election race. The Presidential candidate would have to secure the support of a number of parliament members and members of local popular councils, or both of them, Sorour said. Egypt, Politics, 2/28/2005
• On Mubarak's proposed constitution amendment Egypt, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Bishara: Pressures on Syria serve Israel
  The well-known Palestinian intellectual Azmi Bishara on Sunday underlined that Israel and Western countries are working to exploit the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafic Hariri to put pressures on Syria to serve Israel's interests in the region. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Qatar- Bahraini committee discusses the implementation of the bridge, economic cooperation
  Meetings of the higher joint Bahraini- Qatar committee which discussed means of implementing al-Mahabba (amity) bridge between the two states and fields of cooperation in economic, investment, energy, fishing sectors started on Sunday in Doha. Qatar-Bahrain, Politics, 2/28/2005
• King's visit to Burkina Faso to give new impetus to bilateral cooperation
  The official visit King Mohammed VI is paying as of today to Burkina Faso is set to give a new impetus to economic cooperation between Morocco and this West African country as it falls in the general dynamic to enhance fruitful exchanges with sub-Saharan Africa. Morocco-Burkina Faso, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Syria renews commitment to the Taif accord, concerning the Lebanese crisis
  The Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara said on Sunday in a press conference held in Cairo that his country is committed to implement all particularities concerning Syria in the Taif accord, stressing that this is considered an indirect implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 1559. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 2/28/2005
• The process of investigation in the Hariri assassination
  The UN investigation team led by Peter Gerald, deputy commissioner for the Irish police, with the help of three members, started their work in Lebanon on Saturday to investigate who stands behind the killing of former prime minister Rafic Hariri and others. Lebanon, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Lebanese opposition defies ban, government denies resignations
  Huge number of Lebanese citizens continued gathering in al-Shuhadaa ( martyrs) square in the downtown of Beirut, few hours before the enforcement of the government curfew decision on gatherings and demonstrations. Lebanon, Politics, 2/28/2005
• President al-Assad message to Mubarak
  Answering a question on the Israeli accusation of Syria regarding the explosion which took place in Tel Aviv late Friday, Minister al-Shara stressed that the accusation is baseless, because Syria has stretched hands for peace and supported the Palestinian people to restore their rights peacefully. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Iraqi news on a Syrian role in arresting Sab'awi
  Iraqi officials said that the Syrian authorities had arrested Ibtahim Sab'awi, half brother of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, in al-Hassaka city in Syria and handed him to the Iraqi government as a good intention initiative. Iraq-Syria, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Jordan: Israel's neighbors states meeting to be held in Cairo on March 3 to 6
  The Jordanian foreign minister Hani al-Malqi said on Sunday that the meeting of the states neighboring Israel will be held on the sideline of the meetings of the Arab League council in Egypt on March between 3 and 6. Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/28/2005
• King Abdullah meets Syrian premier Jordan-Syria, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Qathafi message to al-Assad Libya-Syria, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Qatari establishment denies inviting an Israeli official to Doha
  Qatar's foundation for education, sciences and promoting the society denied allegations broadcasted by an Arab satellite station on the visit of the Israeli deputy minister of education Michael Milikiour to attend a forum. Qatar-Israel, Politics, 2/28/2005
• Syria and Russia stress developed relations Syria-Russia, Politics, 2/28/2005

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