Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/9/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 9, 2005

• Egypt reopens its consulate in Port Sudan Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Miqati complains to the UN on Israeli Violations Lebanon-UN, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Egypt judges refuse supervision of presidential elections
  The Egypt's judges club has rejected unanimously judicial supervision of the presidential and parliamentary elections due in September. Egypt, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Leftist party leader: terrorism fighting hinges on construction of democratic and modern state
  Secretary general of the Unified Socialist Left, Morocco, said the fight against terrorism hinges on gathering constitutional, political, economic and social conditions for the construction of a democratic and modern state. Morocco, Politics, 5/14/2005
• New reading of Syrian- Lebanese relations Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Iran to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; may walk out of NPT if harassment continues
  Iran will never abandon its inalienable right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi stressed on Friday, clarifying that his country plans to continue its talks with the EU. Iran-European Union, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Yemeni presidential pardon expected for Saadah rebels
  Yemeni official sources expected a conditional presidential pardon to be issued for the leaders of the armed rebels in Sasdah governorate and the followers of al-Shabab al-Mu'nim (the believing youth) banned organization, in coincidence with the celebration of the national day in Yemen by the end of this month. Yemen, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Libyan official stresses existence of political will to reactivate UMA structures
  Libyan envoy, Said Eribi Hafiana said, here Friday, there is "a political will to reactivate the structures of the Arab Maghreb Union" (UMA), wishing the ongoing efforts in this respect be up to the aspirations of the region's people to unity and complementarity. Libya-Maghreb, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Al-Jaafari extends emergency law in Iraq
  Iraq's new Prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari on Friday issued a decision extending the state of emergency imposed in all parts of Iraq with the exception of Kurdistan district for 30 days. Iraq, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Al-Siyassa: Mubarak: decision to stand elections after new laws Egypt, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Al-Qathafi - Wade discuss strengthening the African Union Libya-Senegal, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Chalabi will not accept pardoning from Jordan
  A spokesman for Ahmad Chalabi said that the Iraqi deputy premier will not accept any pardon from Jordan concerning finding him guilty over the case of smuggling assets of Petra Bank. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Arab-Latin American summit had important outcomes, Syrian PM Regional-Latin America, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Morocco hails Spain's efforts to regularize stay of Illegal migrants Morocco-Spain, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Annan assigns a German judge as head of the UN committee on Hariri's assassination Lebanon-UN, Politics, 5/14/2005
• Mubarak- al-Assad discuss the situation on the Arab arena
  The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad held talks on Thursday at Sharm al-Sheikh resort dealt with issues on the Arab arena. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 5/13/2005
• One joint election list for the Lebanese opposition
  In an attempt to settle the current Lebanese election crisis, the Lebanese opposition agreed on Thursday to form joint lists in order to launch the elections due to be held on May 29th. Lebanon, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Thousands of Christians demonstrate against the Lebanese elections law
  Thousands of Lebanese from various parts of Lebanon demonstrated in Bkerky in the north east of Lebanon in support of the stances of the Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir in his strong rejection of the election law of 2000 which is considered as not fair for Christians. Lebanon, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Sorour: Constitution amendment historic step
  Egypt's People's Assembly Speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour said yesterday Egypt will amend the political rights law after the presidential elections slated for September. Egypt, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Bahraini al-Wifaq society threatens to boycott the elections
  The Islamic national reconciliation ( al-Wifaq) society announced it will boycott the parliamentary elections due in Bahrain in 2006 if constitutional reforms will not be introduced to the country. Bahrain, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Hamas rejects the postponed of the election
  The Islamic resistance movement Hamas rejected the calls made to postpone the legislative elections due on July 17, stressing that this will not serve general interests. Palestine, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Jamal Mubarak confirms Egypt's rejection to the UN monitoring the presidential elections
  Egypt has refused foreign observers to be imposed on it from the outside for the presidential elections in September. This was in reation to an indirect American call to this effect. Egypt, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Jordan studies pardoning al-Chalabi
  Jordanian officials said that Amman is studying issuing a pardon for the Iraqi deputy prime minister Ahmad Chalabi. This will be in the course of a deal including returning back millions of dollars the accused man took from the Jordanian Petra bank. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 5/13/2005
• American professor's lecture on Syrian- American relations
  American Professor Michel Hudson of George Town University has said that the Syrian foreign policy has taken an interesting mature dimension that shows Syria's care to ensure the requirements of security and stability in the region. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Iran, Malaysia deplore Israeli Threats on al-Aqsa Regional-Israel, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Israel celebrates foundation anniversary
  Israel on Thursday celebrated the 57th anniversary of its foundation on the Palestinian lands, who ( the Palestinians) by their turn started to celebrate the "setback" which deprived them of their homes when Israel was founded on May 14, 1948. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/13/2005
• EU warns Iran of being referred to UN Security Council
  "Britain, France and Germany are seeking to hold ministerial talks with Iran to prevent the country from restarting its uranium conversion programme. The offer of a ministerial level meeting within the next two weeks was reportedly made in an EU letter warning Iran that if it proceeded with its threat to resume its fuel cycle program they will support the US in seeking UN Security Council action," IRNA reported today. Iran-USA, Politics, 5/13/2005
• The African force deplores kidnapping of 17 personnel in Darfur
  The African Union said that 17 of its personnel were kidnapped two days earlier at the hands of the rebels in Darfur before they were released, denouncing what it called the flagrant violation of the truce. Sudan, Politics, 5/13/2005
• King Mohammed receives message from Libyan leader Morocco-Libya, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Egyptian premier to visit US today Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/13/2005
• President al-Assad with Turkish official Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Malaysian Prime Minister warns against Israel's Nuclear Weapons Israel-Malaysia, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Wives of president Assad and Mubarak discuss Damascus Women in Business Forum Syria-Egypt, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Erdogan's wife will be in Syria next week Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/13/2005
• Arab-Latin summit rejects US sanctions on Syria
  Arab-Latin America Summit on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the US unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria, stressing that the US "Syria Accountability Act" which imposes sanctions on Syria is a violation of the international law principles. Regional-Latin America, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Aoun welcomes alliance with Hizbullah, criticizes Junblat
  The Lebanese opposition Christian figure Micheal Aoun expressed openly his readiness to maintain an elections alliance with the Hizbullah party and renewed his criticism of the Druz leader Walid Junblat Lebanon, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Tripoli summit on Monday, Bashir rejects handing persons involved in Darfur incidents
  Tripoli (Libya) declaration was issued on Wednesday over Darfur (Sudan), according to which sides of the conflict abided by the cease fire and to collaborate with the people's administration and armed movements to facilitate the access of relief aids to the devastated people in the area. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Kuwait permits al-Jazeera TV to resume work
  For his part al-Jazeera chief editor Ahmad al-Sheikh welcomed this decision but he stressed that al-Jazeera will continue its work in Kuwait according to the same professional criterion it had committed to since the beginning and without making changes in its media policy. Kuwait-Qatar, Politics, 5/12/2005
• UN verification team ends mission on Syrian withdrawal
  The Lebanese official news agency announced that the UN team in charge of verifying the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon ended its mission on Monday and its chief had visited the commander of the Lebanese army Michael Suleiman to thank him over his cooperation which allowed the completion of the mission. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Egypt quiet over Bush's proposal to monitor the elections
  Egyptian officials abstained from commenting on the proposal made by the American President George W. Bush to that the Egyptian government accepts an international monitoring for the presidential elections due in September this year. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Justice department dismisses rumors on talks with underground group
  Moroccan Justice Minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa dismissed allegations that Moroccan Authorities started talks with the so-called "Salafia Jihadia" group, stressing the sentences against the members of the Islamist organization are "final: we can neither revise them nor retry the prisoners." Morocco, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Miqati: no stability without peace Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 5/12/2005
• al-Thawra: Lebanese minister stresses Syrian workers' rights Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Mubarak receives Bahraini Crown Prince Egypt-Bahrain, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Aoun describes Junblat as a taxi driver Lebanon, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Mantica: Syrian and Italian views are identical Syria-Italy, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Official: freedom of prints protected in Syria Syria, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Rohani warns against Israeli nuclear arsenal Iran-Israel, Politics, 5/12/2005
• Iraqi president describes Syria-Iraq relation as strategic Iraq-Syria, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Syrian intellectuals call on al-Assad to carry out reforms
  the spokesman for the Arab rights human organization Ammar Qurabi called on the exiled Syrians not to return until the issuance of a general amnesty on political crimes. Syria, Politics, 5/11/2005
• On the new constitutional change in Egypt
  The Egyptian parliament on Tuesday approved at a great majority the amendment of the constitution in order to permit more than one candidate in the presidential elections and by direct vote for the first time in Egypt's history. Egypt, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Regression in human rights despite breakthroughs in Morocco, NGO
  Morocco has achieved since the start of the 90s major breakthroughs in human rights promotion but has also recorded some regressions, according to the "Centre Marocain des droits de l'homme" (CMDH). Morocco, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Lahoud vows for transparent, honest elections Lebanon, Politics, 5/11/2005
• al-Jazeera: Human rights committee in Qatar monitored 150 complaints in 2004
  The report commended the response of the authorities with the recommendations issued by the committee. Chairman of the human rights national committee in Qatar Khaled al-Ateyah said that the committee submitted all debated cases to sides concerned for dealing with them. Qatar, Politics, 5/11/2005
• More demonstrations, acts of detentions in Egypt Egypt, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Aoun, Hizbullah and Saad al-Hariri
  Former Lebanese army leader Michael Aoun met on Monday with a Hizbullah delegation led by parliamentarian Ali Ammar. Lebanon, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Arab-Latin American Summit to promote economic and political ties
  The first Arab-Latin American summit opened in Brazilia Tuesday with the participation of 33 Arab and Latin American countries. Regional-Latin America, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Miqati condemns Israeli violations of south lebanon Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Al-Assad receives Qardawi Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Justice Commission efforts described positive by ICTJ officer
  The efforts to investigate past human rights violations in Morocco, to unveil truth and to process complaints by the Justice and Reconciliation Commission (IER) are positive, for they represent "an important experience and a first in North Africa and the Middle east," said Hanny Megally. Morocco, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Mubarak receives message from Eritrean president Egypt-Eritrea, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Malaysia's role in solving Arab-Israeli conflict highlighted Syria-Malaysia, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Booby trapped car series in Iraq
  the Iraqi parliament composed on Tuesday a committee for the formulation of a permanent constitution for the country composed of 55 parliamentarians including 28 members of the Iraqi Shiite united coalition list; 15 for the Kurdish alliance, 8 from the Iraqi list led by Eyad Allawi and 4 from other social strata of the Iraqi people. Iraq, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Trade unions call for drastic measures to improve the situation of workers
  Most of the trade unions that took to the street on Sunday throughout Morocco to celebrate the May 1 Labor day deplored the problems facing workers and called for drastic measures to improve their situation. Morocco, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Suliman Awwad: Gaza pullout must be coordinated with Palestinians
  Israel should coordinate with the Palestinians over its plan to put off until mid-August its withdrawal from Gaza Strip originally planned for mid-July, Egypt's Presidential Spokesperson Suliman Awwad said yesterday. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Iranian paper warns against Israeli threats to storm al-Aqsa mosque Iran-Palestine, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Renowned Sahrawi family denounces actions of relative
  Aida Ould Tamek, dean of the Sahrawi family Ahl Tamek, has denounced the actions of Ali Salem Tamek, who advocates the separation of the Moroccan Sahara, describing him as a "traitor." Morocco, Politics, 5/11/2005
• On US pressures and reform in the Arab states
  US professor in modern Arab studies said on Tuesday reforms in the Arab states should emerge from inside these states far away from any pressure or nay foreign dictate. Regional-USA, Politics, 5/11/2005
• Ruling party in Tunisia wins an overwhelming majority
  The ruling Democratic Constitutional Coalition party has won a great majority in the municipal elections which took place on Sunday at the expense of four small parties so as its control on authority was increased. Tunisia, Politics, 5/10/2005
• Aoun calls Lebanese opposition to support him in the elections
  Former leader of the Lebanese army Michael Aoun said he is still waiting the decision of other sides of the Lebanese opposition on allying with him in the legislative elections due by the end of May. Lebanon, Politics, 5/10/2005
• Egypt: ties with US strategic
  The agenda will also specifically cover the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with Egypt. Nazif said that Egypt and the US were almost eye to eye as regards most of the terms of the FTA except for those connected with potency rights in the pharmaceutical industry. Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/10/2005
• Al-Jaafari government repeats taking oath to please the Kurds
  The new Iraqi government has for the second time took the constitutional oath, following acts of protests of the Kurds over what they called that one phrase that was omitted that Iraq is a "democratic federal" country when the government took its constitutional oath for the first time five days ago. Iraq, Politics, 5/10/2005
• Mideast Quartet Committee's Final Statement in Moscow
  The Quartet Committee on Monday renewed support to efforts of finding a just and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. Regional-Israel, Politics, 5/10/2005
• Moroccan NGO protests Israel's judaization attempts of Al-Qods
  The Moroccan Association of Support to the Palestinian People Struggle staged on Monday a sit-in to denounce Israel's attempts to judaize the city of Al-Qods (Jerusalem) and destroy the holy mosque of Al Aqsa. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 5/10/2005
• ESCWA's 23rd session held in Damascus
  Tillawi talked about instability and political tension in the region which affect the social, political and economic development. Regional-UN, Politics, 5/10/2005
• Second forum on Islamic Unity
  The 2nd Forum on "Ways of Islamic Unity and Rapprochement" was opened in Damascus Monday organized by Sheikh Ahmad Keftaro Academy and the World Congregation for Rapprochement among Islamic Doctrines with the cooperation of the Iranian Culture Center in Damascus and the Muhsenieh Assembly. Regional, Politics, 5/10/2005
• Mubarak-Qaboos summit affirms legitimate rights of Palestinians Egypt-Oman, Politics, 5/10/2005
• Cypriot trade minister in Cairo Egypt-Cyprus, Politics, 5/10/2005
• Maltese FM inaugurates Malta Day in Egypt Egypt-Malta, Politics, 5/10/2005
• Municipal elections concluded in Tunisia with a turnout of 76.43%
  Participation rate in the municipality elections in Tunisia which took place on Sunday reached 76.43% just two hours before the end of the voting process, according to the most recent figures announced in the Tunisian capital. Tunisia, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Muslim Bothers continue demonstrations in Cairo, reject constitution's amendment
  The banned Muslim Brothers group in Egypt has stressed its determination to continue acts of protests despite the detention of hundreds of its members and supporters by the Egyptian security forces last week. Egypt, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Arab- Latin summit discusses development, poverty issues
  The Arab states are discussing with their Latin American peers during a summit in Brazil on Tuesday and Wednesday means of enhancing joint trade and economic relations, especially continued sustainable development and the work to achieve social justice and eliminating poverty and hunger and preserving the environment. Regional-Latin America, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Newly appointed Sunni minister rejects taking part in the Iraqi government
  Hashem al-Shabli, who was appointed for the post of the Human Rights minister in the government of Ibrahim al-Jaafari as a representative for the Arab Sunni stressed he rejected accepting this post. Iraq, Politics, 5/9/2005
• On possibility to re-introduce emergency law to Iraq
  Concerning steps that might be taken by his government to withstand armed operations which have been in an unprecedented way escalated in Iraq, the Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said that the government will take all necessary measures to fight this phenomenon and if it will be necessary will declare or extend the emergency laws. Iraq, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Syria - Saudi Arabia talks discuss outcome of Abdullah recent tour
  The Syrian-Saudi talks today have dealt with the outcome of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz visit to each of France and the United States, A presidential announcement said here this evening. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Chalabi's arrest issue resurfaces in Jordan
  On the sideline of the visit of the Jordanian President Jalal al-Talibani to Jordan, the file of the leader of the Iraqi National Congress, Ahmad Chalabi, who occupies the post of the deputy premier in the government of al-Jaafari has surfaced. Iraq-Jordan, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Aoun attributes Syrian withdrawal to his stances, Junblat criticizes
  The former leader of the Lebanese army Michael Aoun chose a heated beginning for his life in Lebanon after 15 years in his exile in Paris, and he called for eliminating what he called the political feudalism and the hated sectarianism. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Muslim Brothers guide criticizes Egyptian government
  The Guide ( Murshid) of the Muslim Brothers group in Egypt, Mahdi Akef, launched strong criticism against the Egyptian government over the detention of members of the group. Egypt, Politics, 5/9/2005
• New clashes in Somalia a problem for government's comeback
  New clashed erupted in Kesmayo port to the south of Somalia and this forced the Somali prime minister Muhammad Ali Jedi to abrogate a tour he was intending on the city. Somalia, Politics, 5/9/2005
• IRCT praises Morocco's efforts to rehabilitate victims of torture
  The founder of the International Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (IRCT) Inge Genefke, praised the Moroccan experience in human rights promotion and torture victims rehabilitation as "unique" in the Arab states. Morocco, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Syria is totally free of Qaida and Taliban: Minister
  Syria said today there is no activity to the Taliban movement or the Qaida organization over her territories and pledged meeting all commitment to the United Nations. Syria, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Abbas calls for meeting Sharon to apply Sharm-el-Sheikh understandings
  Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit on Sunday expressed Egypt's concern at the faltering implementation of Sharm El-Sheikh understandings and the ensuing damage to the positive climate under which the Sharm summit was held. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Jews plan to break into al-Aqsa mosque, Palestinian Authority asks world for help
  The Palestinian Authority has called on the international community to move seriously and pressure the Israeli government in order to protect the Islamic and Christian shrines against the plans of Jewish extremists. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Sudan: the first meeting for the joint military committee
  In a statement, the UN mission in Sudan announced that the joint Sudanese military committee in charge of supervising cease fire in southern Sudan held a meeting on Saturday under the auspices of the UN. Sudan, Politics, 5/9/2005
• Lebanese figures deplore recent blasts in Beirut Lebanon, Politics, 5/9/2005

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