Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/2/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 2, 2005

• Key Muslim Brothers leaders were detained as fears rise of watering down constitutional change
  Just few hours before the demonstrations, the Muslim Brothers group announced that four of their leading figures were arrested including the leading figure Issam al-Aryan on Friday to be added to other 1562 detainees, according to figures of the Muslim Brothers. Egypt, Politics, 5/7/2005
• One persons died in a demonstration for Muslim Brothers
  The Muslim Brothers group announced the death of one of its members because of the tear gas and the serious injuries in one of two others by rubber bullets which was used by the Egyptian security forces to disperse a demonstration in al-Mansoura city to the north of Cairo. Egypt, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Al-Ghad part and elections in Egypt
  The Egyptian opposition figure Ayman nour, who announced his nomination for the presidential elections, said that one of his supporters was killed and other 20 others were injured when three buses carrying them were exposed to the attack near al-Sharqiyah town to the north east of Cairo. Egypt, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Two persons killed in Jonyeh prior to the return of Michael Aoun
  At least two persons were killed and other 16 injured, according to a final outcome of medical sources in an explosion which took place on Friday evening in the Christian coastal city of Jonyeh, 20 km to the north of Beirut. Lebanon, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Iraq returns its ambassador to Jordan
  The Iraqi foreign ministry has decided to return its ambassador in Jordan Ata Allah Abdul Wahab to his work place in Amman after six weeks of suspension, in an indication to the end of the political crisis which erupted between the two states on the background of al-Hella explosion. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Mubarak, Saudi CP to discuss formation of a joint security committee
  As part of the Egyptian-Saudi coordination, President Hosni Mubarak held yesterday a session of talks with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdel Aziz, who arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh on Friday. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Iran rejects international institutions as arbitors of dispute with UAE
  Iran said today that the three Iranian islands that are in dispute with the United Arab Emirates are Iranian territories, refusing to take this issue to the United Nations for arbitration. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Mubarak, Obasanjo, Bashir, Qathafi and Dibi to discuss position in Darfur on May 15-16
  Sharm el-Sheikh city will host on May 15-16 a summit meeting grouping President Hosni Mubarak, Libyan Leader Muammar al-Qathafi, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir and Chadian President Idriss Dibi on the crisis of Sudan's troubled western region of Darfur. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 5/7/2005
• 2 Yemeni soldiers killed, wounded in new confrontations in Saadah
  Seven Yemeni soldiers were killed and other five were injured in most recent clashes between the supporters of Hussein Bader Eddine al-Houthi who was killed in the recent confrontations with the Yemeni army near the Yemeni- Saudi borders. Yemen, Politics, 5/7/2005
• On the American losses in Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Robbery and lynching by 'Polisario' separatists
  Three members of the separatist movement "Polisario," based in the Algerian southern region of Tindouf, killed a merchant in the so-called wilaya of Smara, 30 km from the Tindouf camps (southeast Algeria), reliable sources revealed. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Arab-Australian meeting deplores foreign intervention in Lebanon
  Arab-Australian national meeting condemned Thursday foreign interference in the Lebanese internal affairs. "Lebanese resistance's weapon is an internal Lebanese issue which is considered a national defense security of Lebanon's stability and sovereignty," The meeting said in a statement. Lebanon-Australia, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Jordanian king appoints new director for intelligence
  The Jordanian King Abdullah II appointed Lt. Gen. Samih Asfoura as a new director general for the general intelligence directorate instead of Lt. Gen. Saeed Khabar who was transferred to the royal court and was appointed as a chairman for the new National Security Agency and a rapparateur for the state security council. Jordan, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Qaboos arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh today Egypt-Oman, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Immigrants associations unhappy with Spain's regularization operation
  A group of immigrants associations in Spain were dissatisfied with the operation carried out by Spanish authorities to regularize the situation of 1.3 million foreign illegal workers. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Al-Jaafari government and the vacant seats Iraq, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Information ministers regrets of extending US sanctions on Syria Syria-USA, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Iran warns US against any attacks Iran-USA, Politics, 5/7/2005
• US Senate majority leader leaves Cairo at end of two-day visit Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/7/2005
• Saudi crown prince Abdullah today in Damascus: an attempt to avoid pressure on Syria
  Well-informed Saudi sources said that the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz will arrive today in Damascus. The visit aims "giving thoughts" in order to avoid more American pressure on Syria and to encourage the Syrian president to achieve what he had expressed of good intention for internal reforms and regional cooperation. Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Syrian Cabinet launches an official website to receive citizens complaints Syria, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Morocco open to every initiative to hold UMA Summit in best conditions Morocco-Maghreb, Politics, 5/6/2005
• More accused members of the dissolved Iraqi Baath party arrested Iraq, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Lebanese judiciary freezes warrant of arrest against Aoun, elections using 2000 law
  The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud gave his instructions to carry out the parliamentary elections on the ground of the law of 2000 which mingles between the greater circles ( the governorate) and the smaller ( the district), rejected by the opposition, especially the Christian one. Lebanon, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Iraq's president visits Amman tomorrow Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Parliament endorses amendment of article 76
  Egypt's People's Assembly Constitutional and Legislative Committee agreed during a meeting yesterday under speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour to amend article 76 of the constitution which would allow contested presidential elections in Egypt. Egypt, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Audiovisual field cannot fall under monopoly, Minister
  The public audiovisual field cannot fall under the monopoly of one party to the detriment of the other, insisted, here Wednesday, Communication Minister, Spokesman of the government, Nabil Benabdallah. Morocco, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Lebanese army commander stresses coordination with syria Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Moroccan political leader: self-determination in Sahara issue is obsolete option
  Leader of the Moroccan socialist party (USFP), Mohamed El Yazghi, said the international community has grown aware that the self-determination option in the Sahara issue has become obsolete and is exploring new horizons to settle the problem. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Baher al-Oloum returns back to the ministry of oil in Iraq Iraq, Politics, 5/6/2005
• UN Security Council's Statement on Syria full withdrawal from Lebanon Syria-UN, Politics, 5/6/2005
• More withdrawals for foreign forces from Iraq
  With the escalated wave of attacks against the local and foreign forces in Iraq, the Bulgarian parliament approved a plan to reduce the number of the Bulgarian forces in Iraq with the fall on next month, and to withdraw these forces ultimately before the end of the current year. Iraq, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Marines forces landed on the Somali coasts
  In one of the most provocative operation since the formation of the terrorism fighting force in the African horn in 2003, The American naval troops ( the Marines) landed on the Somali coasts to chase extremists, according to Somali officials on Thursday. Somalia-USA, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Abdullah Bin Zayed in Gaza tomorrow
  The Palestinian minister of information Nabil Shaath said on Thursday that the Minister of information in the United Arab Emirates UAE, Abdullah Bin Zayed, will be arriving tomorrow in Gaza to open Sheikh Zayed Residential city to the north of the sector and hand over 10 symbolic keys or property certificates for 10 Palestinian families. United Arab Emirates-Palestine, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Syria abides by NPT rules: Miqdad says
  He pointed out that Israel is the only state that doesn't express desire to join the treaty and to subject its nuclear capabilities to the comprehensive guarantee system of the Atomic Energy International Agency. Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Bush renews economic sanctions on Syria
  The US president George W. Bush renewed the economic sanctions imposed by his administration against Syria in 2004, accusing Damascus of supporting what he called terrorism, developing mass destruction weapons, and undermining the efforts aiming to achieve stability in Iraq. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Riyadh wants agreement limiting nuclear inspection
  Saudi Arabia has expressed its desire to sign an agreement that the International Agency for Atomic Energy had warned might prevent total atomic activity monitoring inside its borders. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Turkey denies a secret agreement with the United States Turkey-USA, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Israel exposes the palestinians to harmful x-rays Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Two Iranian newspapers highlight dangers of Israeli Nuclear Arsenal Iran-Israel, Politics, 5/6/2005
• Missing Lebanese and Syrian workers amond dealt subjects
  Syria and Lebanon agreed on Wednesday to reevaluate agreements signed between them, discuss the situation of Syrian workers in Lebanon and investigate assaults on them as well explore the status of some missed Lebanese in cooperation with Syria, a joint statement issued today said. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Kuwaiti opposition deplores tightening measures against Islamic party
  Eight Kuwaiti political and liberal Islamic organizations deplored what it called the tightened measures practiced by the authorities against al-Ummah party, of Islamic inclination, after its founders were brought to the attorney general under the charge of seeking to change the ruling system and changing their case from a minor crime to a state security crime. Kuwait, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Shedding light on 1956-59 events will help avoid violations repetition, former detainee relative
  She told of her sufferings after her husband was kidnapped in June 1956, along with his companion Brahim El Ouazzani, and her attempts to find to no avail her husband. Morocco, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Rights violations victims revisit post-1984 events
  "Farid was sentenced to three years in prison and he felt sick during his imprisonment." When he got out of prison, doctors were unable to diagnose his disease. He is now paralysed and affected by partial blindness, she grieved. Morocco, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Saudi Arabia: progress in human rights and in fighting al-Qaida organization
  The advisor of the Saudi crown prince for the foreign policy affairs Adel al-Jabeir said on Tuesday that there is a genuine opportunity that women in Saudi Arabia will cast their votes in the next meunicipal councils elections due in 2009. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/5/2005
• An open crisis in Jordan between Badran government and parliament
  Jordan has been witnessing an open crisis between the government of Adnan Badran and the parliament on the background of the rejection of the parliamentary majority to give confidence to the new government because there are many ministers in this government who "have no credibility." Jordan, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Lebanese officials react on elections
  Former Lebanese Premier Salem al-Hoss on Wednesday said that adopting "the district as a constituency wouldn't accord with al-Taif Agreement which stipulates for adopting the governorate as a constituency." Lebanon, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Norway recalls ambassador for voicing support to Morocco on Sahara issue
  Norwegian ambassador to Morocco Arne Aasheim was called back to his country for having voiced, recently to a TV outlet, support to the Moroccan stance on the Sahara issue, the Moroccan 2M TV channel said. Morocco-Norway, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Algerian official resign following differences with O Yahya
  Algerian sources said that the chairman of the economic and social council Muhammad Saleh al-Mantouri submitted his resignation from his post. A matter which was not confirmed by official sources. Algeria, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Uganda's al-Rab army launches attack on southern Sudan
  Thousands of people in southern Sudan fled from their houses fleeing attacks launched by the rebels of al-Rab( God) party of Uganda against their villages, according to UN sources. Sudan-Uganda, Politics, 5/5/2005
• US views on the nuclear negotiations talks with Iran
  The US continues its efforts to block Iran from using its right to enrich Uranium for civil purposes. Iran-USA, Politics, 5/5/2005
• UN security council calls for holding the Lebanese elections at due time
  The UN security council called on the Lebanese government to carry out the parliamentary elections at their set time on May 29th. A statement by the council issued on Wednesday urged Beirut to ask the help of the international community in order to ensure carrying out the elections in a credible and free way. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Two relief employees killed in Sudan
  Khartoum has held responsible Darfur's rebels for the killing of two Sudanese members of the relief employees and kidnapping of a third in an attack against a team for the Sudanese Red Crescent in Kasla to the east of Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 5/5/2005
• U.S. designates Elehssan Society charity as front for Palestinian terrorists Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/5/2005
• King Mohammed in Dubai United Arab Emirates-Morocco, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Joins Syrian Socialist Nationalist Party to the NPF Syria, Politics, 5/5/2005
• On US efforts to control money flows to designated 'terrorist' organizations Regional-USA, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Israel is asked to Join the NPT: Egyptian FM Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/5/2005
• Jafaari government takes oath, six vacant posts
  The Iraqi interim government led by Ibrahim al-Jaafari took its constitutional oath on Tuesday before the speaker of the National Assembly (the parliament). Iraq, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Arab states mistreat free press
  The Arab states is at the back of the free media in the world and Iraq has been the most dangerous media square, and the year 2004 witnessed the worst since 1995 concerning the number of journalists who were killed in the world. Regional, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Moroccan journalists 'deliberately' targeted, Press Union
  Evoking the various difficulties the media sector encounters in Morocco, the Moroccan press Union deplored Monday that journalists are "deliberately targeted" by security forces and authorities despite the particular interest granted to this sector. Morocco, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Scores injured in protests over Shalom's to Mauritania
  Scores of civilians and security men in the Mauritanian capital were injured in confrontations that took place during angry protest demonstrations over the visit of the Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom to Nouakchott. Mauritania-Israel, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Lahoud calls on the Lebanese government to embark on new elections law
  The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud extended a message to the parliament in which he urged the parliamentarians to make parliamentary elections at their set constitutional terms under a law that can ensure the best expression for the will of the people in an attempt to settle the controversy over the elections law. Lebanon, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Mubarak: Reform is a strategic option
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak Tuesday said adherence to reform is an unshakable principle and a strategic option that lives up to the aspirations of the people and makes stability of the homeland one of the main priorities of the country. Egypt, Politics, 5/4/2005
• On the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon
  The Lebanese government on Tuesday finalized a controversy on the issue of the existence of a Syrian position in the Lebanese territories after the withdrawal by confirming that the Syrian camp to the east of the country is built on a Syrian land. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Walid Junblat and disarmament of Hizbullah party
  The chairman of the Lebanese Socialist Progressive party Walid Junblat said that the solution of the question of the Hizbullah weapons can be only through dialogue among various Lebanese sides. Lebanon, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Moroccan media plays greater role in democratic transition, official
  Morocco is going through a period of great change marked by the enlargement of the freedoms space and a will to enable all the media kinds and trends to accompany the democratic transition, said Moroccan communication minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah. Morocco, Politics, 5/4/2005
• On Shalom's visit to Mauritania
  The spokesman for the ruling Republican party, Kaber Weld Hammoudi, defended Shalom's visit, saying in an interview with al-Jazeera TV that his country intends out of these visits to serve the Palestinian question and Arabs in general. Mauritania-Israel, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Ahl Tamek family denounces the schemes of renegade Ali Salem Tamek, communique
  The Ahl Tamek family members denounced "the schemes of a member belonging to (their) family, namely Ali Salem Tamek," whom they exclude "from family, tribe and national unity" and regard as "a renegade" for flouting their dignity and damaging "the sacrifices made by our valorous Ait Oussa Tribe to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the Kingdom." Morocco, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Iran has right to peaceful nuclear energy , minister Iran-European Union, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Al-Assad receives Jordanian prime minister Syria-Jordan, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Lebanese premier arrives in Damascus Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/4/2005
• UAE newspaper warns against Israeli Judaization map Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Syria to formulate a committee to check soldiers trespassing border with Lebanon Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Dialog with EU is the solution to emigration phenomenon, Minister
  "It is now necessary to launch a serious dialog with the European Union on emigration" said Monday Minister-Delegate in Charge of Moroccan Expatriates, Nouzha Chekrouni. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 5/4/2005
• U.S. recaps strategy to stop spread of weapons of mass destruction
  The United States has identified the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by rogue states and terrorist organizations as one of the greatest threats to international security and is actively promoting a number of steps to prevent it. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/4/2005
• Imprisonment for Omanis convicted of trying to topple the regime
  An Omani court on Monday issued sentences of one to 20 year imprisonment against 31 persons who were convicted of being members in a "banned secret organization" seeking to topple the regime in the Sultanate. Oman, Politics, 5/3/2005
• Trial of three reformers in Saudi Arabia resumed
  A Saudi court resumed on Monday the trial of three Saudi reformers in a close door session. The three men had demanded the introduction of political reforms after it was postponed last week. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/3/2005
• Kuwait's parliament fails to endorse women's participation in elections
  The Kuwaiti parliament has failed to endorse a draft law supported by the government to permit women to take part in the local elections after it approved it two weeks earlier. Kuwait, Politics, 5/3/2005
• Jafaari completes his government by including Sunni Arabs
  The Iraqi interim Prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari completed the formation of his government by including representatives for the Arab Sunni who pulled out several days ago from the government under the pretext that they have low profile in it. Iraq, Politics, 5/3/2005
• Egyptian-Saudi summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Thursday
  Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdel Aziz, the Saudi Crown Prince and the Chief of the Saudi National Guard will pay a flight visit to Egypt on Thursday in the context of his current foreign tour. Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Politics, 5/3/2005
• On the Australian hostage in Iraq
  Muwaffaq al-Rubei, the Iraqi national security advisor, said that the American forces and other foreign forces in Iraq will start more expectedly to withdraw in large numbers by the fall of the mid of 2006. Iraq-Australia, Politics, 5/3/2005
• Manama, Cairo host two conferences in support of Jerusalem
  The Jerusalem foundation convenes a meeting in Manama on June 18- 20 in order to discuss providing material and morale support for the citizens of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories. Palestine-Regional, Politics, 5/3/2005
• Protest demonstrations in Mauritania over Shalom's visit
  Mauritania yesterday witnessed several demonstrations in protest of the visit expected to be held by the Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom to Nouakchott during this year. Mauritania-Israel, Politics, 5/3/2005
• Hamas refuses to withdraw its weapons
  The Islamic Resistance movement ( Hamas) refused the decision of the Palestinian minister of the interior, Nasser Youssef, to stop showing the weapons of the groups in the streets. The spokesman for the movement Sami Abu Zehri said that the statements of the Palestinian government official is too far from understandings with the Palestinian groups. Palestine, Politics, 5/3/2005
• al-Anbaa: Qabalan hails Syrian-Lebanese historical relations Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/3/2005
• Al-Assad chairs a meeting of national progressive front Syria, Politics, 5/3/2005

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