Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 5/30/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of May 30, 2005

• Mubarak asks for increasing democratic guarantees in reform bills
  The political landscape this week witnessed intensive activity for drafting political reform and democratic practice bills. Egypt, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Member of fundamentalist association summoned by judiciary police Morocco, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Demands for Libya to disclose fate of kidnapped journalist
  The Human rights monitor foundation appealed the Libyan authorities to disclose the fate of the Libyan journalist Deif al-Ghazzele who was kidnapped by unidentified persons in Benghazi city on on May 21. Libya, Politics, 6/4/2005
• FBI investigates Qassir assassination
  News reports said that American investigators from the Federal Bureau for Investigation (FBI) visited the explosion sire which claimed the life of the opposition Lebanese journalist Samir Qassir in al-Asharefya area in the east of the Lebanese capital Beirut. Lebanon, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Assassination of Lebanese Journalist Qassir overwhelm the election
  It is expected that the assassination of Lebanese Journalist Samir Qassir will overwhelm the process of the stages of the next parliamentary elections. On Sunday ( Tomorrow) the second round of the elections will be made in the southern region area. Lebanon, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Lebanese opposition and journalist demonstration in support of Qassir
  Hundreds of journalists and opposition supporters gathered in al-Shuhadaa (martyrs) square in Beirut to deplore the assassination of Lebanese journalist Samir Qassir, and observed a one minute silence in memory of his soul. Lebanon, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Ayman Nour expects genuine change in Egypt shortly
  The opposition Egyptian al-Ghad party leader Ayman Nour stressed that the main opposition groups are making consultations now to form a national front in opposition to the government. Egypt, Politics, 6/4/2005
• US military admits interrogators intentionally desecrated the Quran
  The US military said yesterday it has concluded its investigation into the Quran desecration allegations and reports. The report confirms that the Quran was intentionally desecrated in what seems to be a pattern that implicates the interrogators involved used this practice to force extraction of information from detainees. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Nassrallah warns against foreign intervention in Lebanon
  Lebanese Hizbullah Party Secretary General, Hassan Nassrallah, has warned against the outcome of foreign intervention in the Lebanese internal affairs, calling the Lebanese to be aware on the results of any foreign dictations. Lebanon, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Arab states trafficking in persons
  A US Department of State report on person traficking, indicated that such practice is taking place in some Arab states, mainly Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Killers of Sheikh Khaznawi admit their crime
  Kidnappers and killers of the Syrian Sheikh Mashouq al-Khaznawi confessed on Friday evening their crime against the sheikh, and said they killed him because he deviated from the religious line of his father. Syria, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Lahoud renews Lebanese government cooperation with the International Investigation Committee
  Lebanese government is ready to put all the state abilities at service of the International Investigation Committee to probe into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud stressed Friday. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Bouteflika's statements on Sahara 'provocative,' Sudanese paper
  The latest 'deliberate' statements of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on the Moroccan Sahara are 'provocative' not only for Morocco and its people, but also for all peoples in the region, wrote recently the Sudanese newspaper "Sahafa." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Assabah: Pro-separatists in Moroccan Sahara receive foreign financial assistance, paper
  Pro-Polisario activists in the Southern provinces of Morocco (Sahara) receive foreign financial assistance, revealed on Friday the Moroccan daily "Assabah." Morocco, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Government offical assassinated in Iraq
  In another development n Iraq, gunmen assassinated Col. Sabah Bahloul Qara al-Toun, the assistant for the internal affairs director at the governorate's court upon leaving Husam Eddine mosque in the downtown of the city after Friday's prayers. Iraq, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Breaking in operations in Iraq
  hundreds of Iraqis Arab Sunni demonstrated in the courtyard of Abi Huneifah mosque in Baghdad following Friday's prayers in protest of the American presence and the American forces detention of the chairman of the Islamic party Mohsin Andul Hamid by the beginning of this week. Iraq, Politics, 6/4/2005
• FTA to allow Morocco export non-Moroccan textile products to USA Morocco-USA, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Mubarak to meet Jordan's King Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Hammoud confers with Pederson on developments Lebanon-UN, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Europe cooperates with Libya to limit illegal migration Libya-European Union, Politics, 6/4/2005
• Kuwait elect municipal council; last election confined to men
  The Kuwaitis have started casting their votes in ballot centers on Thursday to elect their representatives to the municipal councils which includes 16 members for the ten circles on Kuwait. Kuwait, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Lahoud warns against sedition, opposition accuses him of killing Qassir
  The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud deplored strongly the assassination of the Lebanese journalist Samir Qassir who was killed on Thursday morning in a booby trapped car explosion in al-Ashrafeyah area in Beirut. He warned against a scheme aiming at implanting sedition among the Lebanese. Lebanon, Politics, 6/3/2005
• International condemnation for al-Qassir assassination
  Angry international reactions continued on Thursday deploring the assassination of the Lebanese journalist Samir al-Qassir. Paris deplored the assassination of al-Qassair and described him as one of the symbols of the freedom of independence in the Lebanese press. Lebanon, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Inter-Lebanese split over the assassination of Hariri
  The way the assassination of the Lebanese journalist Samir al-Qassir was dealt with increased the pace of division inside the Lebanese opposition. Lebanon, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Syria denounces accusations on Lebanon explosion
  Syria rejected on Thursday "claims from some Lebanese personalizes to Syria, that blamed her for the explosion that took place in Beirut", saying they came as part of campaigns against Syria. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Al-Assad to address Baath congress on vital issue, Buthaina Shaaban
  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad will deliver a directive address in the opening ceremony of 10th regional congress of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party. It is to put a general framework of its activities and throw light on some vital issues of importance to Syria, Expatriate Minister said on Thursday. Syria, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Qurei' describes talks with president al-Assad as very important
  The Palestinian Prime Minister described Thursday talks with President Bashar al-Assad and Syrian officials as "positive, productive and very important." Palestine-Syria, Politics, 6/3/2005
• US senators back political and peaceful solution to Moroccan Sahara issue
  Oregon Senator Gordon Smith said a peaceful and political solution to this conflict is the only way to establish peace for the peoples of the region, calling on all concerned parties to "watch what they say" in order to create an atmosphere favorable to this solution. Morocco-USA, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Morocco expels Spanish journalist
  A Spanish journalist was expelled Thursday from Laayoune after she lied about her occupation to the borders police, police sources disclosed. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Southern violence events condemned by Moroccan officials and media
  Moroccan State Secretary in charge of Youth, Mohamed El Gahs criticized the violence acts that took place lately in some Southern Moroccan towns, calling on all Moroccans to line up to defend by all means the territorial integrity of the Kingdom. Morocco, Politics, 6/3/2005
• BBC: Israeli soldiers were told to shoot Palestinian policeman
  The BBC reported today that "Two Israeli soldiers have alleged that they were ordered to carry out revenge attacks on Palestinian police after six of their comrades were killed." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Israel frees 400 Palestinian prisoners
  Some 400 Palestinian detainees released by the Israeli authorities on Thursday, arrived later in the day to five Israeli check point near the Palestinian territories. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Qathafi meets Eritrea's president Libya-Eritrea, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Lebanon, Iran to enhance bilateral relations Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Syria eager to maintain ties with EU, mainly with france Syria-France, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Arab League chief to participate in Brussels conference Regional-Iraq, Politics, 6/3/2005
• Lebanese renowned journalist Samir al-Qassir assassinated
  News reports in Beirut said that the Lebanese central security council called for an urgent meeting under the chairmanship if the Lebanese prime minister Najib Miqati in order to discuss the implications of the assassination of the prominent Lebanese journalists in the Lebanese daily al-Nahar Samir Qasir by bombing his car in al-Ahrafeyah area which is inhabited by a Christian majority to the east of Beirut. Lebanon, Politics, 6/2/2005
• The New York Times: Israel's most renowned TV news anchor denounces Israel as conqueror, occupier and suppressing another people
  Haim Yavin says about the treatment the Palestinians suffers from Israelis "It's not Jewish, what we're doing." Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/2/2005
• A joint list for Aoun, Arsalan in confrontation of Junblat
  The Lebanese elections on Wednesday entered a new phase with the announcement made by the opposition figure Michael Aoun a joint list with Faisal Arsalan who competes with parliamentarian Walid Junblat traditionally, over the leadership of the Druze. Lebanon, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Al-Aredim and Aoun- Arsalan alliance; Sfeir on developments Lebanon, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Miqati condemns Israeli violations, call for a state of institutions in Lebanon
  The Gathering, following a meeting with Lebanese Information Minister Charles Rizk, underlined support to the resistance, calling for establishing a state of institutions in Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Zeibari accuses Syria of not cooperating over border infiltration; Saudis border problem
  some 40 percent of the suicide bombers Zarqawi has enlisted in Iraq are from Saudi Arabia Iraq-Syria, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Large crowd in al-Khaznawi funeral; gang that killed him captured
  Thousands of Kurds gathered on Wednesday in al-Qamishli amid tough security conditions to attend the funeral of a man of religion who was killed in vague circumstance. Syria, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Syrian, Palestinian premiers talks on relations
  Syria's Prime Minister Naji Otari and the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmad Qurei' underlined "the deep-rooted and fraternal relations between the Palestinian and Syrian people and their role in facing threats targeting the Arab nation." Syria-Palestine, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Annan fires UN Security Council official for serious misconduct linked to oil-for-food
  former Deputy Director of the Security Council Affairs Division, had been advised on Tuesday that he was being separated from service for serious misconduct, in accordance with UN Staff Regulations. Iraq-UN, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Holland summons Sudan's ambassador over the detention of relief employee
  The Dutch foreign ministry of Wednesday summoned the Sudanese ambassador in order to file a complaint over the detention of one Dutch relief officer working in Doctor Without Borders organization because of the organization's report on rape cases in Darfur to the west of Sudan. Sudan-Holland, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Lebanese figures on the strengthen of ties with Syria
  Higher Islamic Religious Council in Lebanon on Wednesday underlined the importance of building fraternal and cooperative relations with Syria based on national factors to face dangers of the continued Israeli threats. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 6/2/2005
• France commends the Lebanese elections Lebanon-France, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Rumsfeld says detainees treatment is transparent and up to standards
  Meyrs: I mean, going back to Afghanistan but certainly major combat in Iraq -- I mean, there's never been a more humane -- if there's -- if you can put "humane" right next to "war," Regional-USA, Politics, 6/2/2005
• El Pais: Madrid's archbishop denies press reports on PJD
  Madrid's archbishop on Wednesday denied having refused to meet a visiting delegation of Morocco's Islamist moderate party, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), as was reported by El Pais newspaper. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Yemen, Mauritania presidents and me peace process Yemen-Mauritania, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Egyptian FM appreciates EU position Egypt-European Union, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Morocco vows to achieve Maghreb Arab Union Morocco-Maghreb, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Yemeni ambassador summoned by Iran Yemen-Iran, Politics, 6/2/2005
• United States, European Union to host Iraq conference in Brussels Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/2/2005
• Sudanese government refuses special currency for southern Sudan
  The Sudanese government notified the International Monetary Fund its rejection to the issuance of a special "paper currency" for the Sudan People's Liberation Movement circulated in several southern Sudan cities. Sudan, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Syria denies interference in the Lebanese elections
  A source at the Syrian ministry of information denied news that Damascus is interfering in the Lebanese elections in the northern part of the country, noting that these are groundless allegations. Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Sfeir regrets the low turnout of the Lebanese elections
  In Beirut, the Maronite Patriarch Nasrullah Sfeir considered that the increase of the rate of boycot to the elections in Beirut is because of the voters regrets over the "winning of the election by unopposed candidates and the abstention of important figures from nominating themselves." Lebanon, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Syrian defense minister deplores unfair accusations on infiltration to Iraq
  Syrian defense minister Lt. Gen. Hassan Turkmani on Tuesday deplored "the unfair accusations marketed by enemies to that Syria supports persons infiltrating via the Syrian- Iraqi borders." He said "theses accusations are baseless and lack any proof." Syria-Iraq, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Over 60 bids to create TV and Radio channels
  Sixty-three bids for the creation of TV and Radio channels have been so far filed before the authority of audiovisual communications (HACA), said Tuesday the authority's chairman. Morocco, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Jaafari cling to the role of the coalition forces in Iraq
  The government's program which was submitted by al-Jaafari included plans on security, political and services issues, forming committees concerned basically with supporting the formulation of the constitution and integrating those who he had described as "misled" in the political life. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Jerusalem Post: Assem: Egypt will not police Gaza
  Assem said Israel should not expect Egypt to prevent any terrorist attacks that may emanate from the Gaza Strip after Israel's withdrawal: "Don't expect Egypt to be your policeman in Gaza" Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Syria warns against peace absence effect on Barcelona process
  "The continuity of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the absence of peace due to the occupation of Arab lands in Syria, Lebanon and Palestine are laying heavy shadows and creating negative effect on the process to hinder its progress as to achieve its goals," Syria's Foreign Minister Farouq al-Sharaa said Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/1/2005
• EU to modernize local administration in Syria
  Syria and the European Union on Tuesday launched a project on modernizing the local administration in Syria. The project is financed by the European Union with a budget of 20.5 millions Euro, and it is to be implemented by the British Firm of IMC. Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/1/2005
• NGO draws UN attention to children-soldiers enrolment by Polisario separatists
  The Sahrawi Association for the Defense of Human Rights (ASADEDH) has sent a letter to the UN secretary general drawing his attention to an operation conducted since last May 10 by the separatist Polisario Front to enrol children to work as soldiers. Morocco-UN, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Zeibari calls on Damascus to make greater efforts to prevent border infiltration
  The Iraqi foreign minister Hoshiar Zeibari called on Damascus "to make greater efforts" in order to prevent armed elements from infiltration to Iraq, noting that Syria is "one of the main countries from which foreign terrorists come." Iraq-Syria, Politics, 6/1/2005
• France proposes to help Libya in developing nuclear energy
  The French foreign ministry announced yesterday that Paris will shortly propose to Libya a plan to develop a peaceful program for nuclear energy. Libya-France, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Bush denounces report against American treatment of detainees as 'absurd'
  New York Times report: "I kept telling him, no I didn't receive training. I was crying and finally I told him I did receive the training. My hands were tied behind my back and my knees were on the ground and my head was bleeding. I was in a lot of pain, so I said I had (military) training." Regional-USA, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Hamas rejects re-elections, call on Palestinians to boycott
  The Islamic resistance movement( Hamas) refused taking part in the re-elections in three municipalities in Gaza after the results in certain circles were dismissed in which the movement won by the beginning of May. Palestine, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Lebanon: no stability without peace in Middle East
  "There are attempts to turn over al-Taif Accord, the matter that calls for a serious and historic stance by those who adhere to this Accord which enhanced the national unity," Berri said in a statement in Beirut. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Libyan court adjourned Bulgarian nurses case sentence
  The Libyan supreme court announced that Libya postponed, until November 15, reconsidering the appeal proposed by five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor facing death penalty over being the reason for infecting 400 children with HIV virus, of whom 47 children died as a result of AIDS. Libya-Bulgaria, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Al-Hayat: Detention of thousands of Saharwis in Tindouf raises concern
  The maintaining in detention of thousands of Sahrawis in the Polisario-controlled Tindouf camps (Algeria) raises concerns, wrote on Tuesday the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat, evoking several paradoxes in the Sahara question "which make the issue more complicated." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Illegal immigration is joint responsibility of Morocco and EU
  Illegal immigration is a joint responsibility between Morocco and the European Union (EU), said on Tuesday Minister delegate in charge of expatriates, Nouzha Chekrouni. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/1/2005
• US welcome the Lebanese elections Lebanon-USA, Politics, 6/1/2005
• UN Security Council extends for the occupation forces in Iraq Iraq-UN, Politics, 6/1/2005
• Hariri's list wins the elections in Beirut
  The Lebanese minister of the interior Hassan al-Sab' announced on Monday official results of the first phase of the parliamentary elections which were held in Beirut on Sunday. Lebanon, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Cairo releases 52 Muslim Brothers students
  Judicial sources said that the Egyptian attorney general Maher Abdul Wahid issued on Monday a decision for the release of 52 students, members of the Ikhwan al-Muslimin (Muslim Brothers) group, so as to be allow them to take their exams by the end of the year. Egypt, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Syria releases Atasi club members board Syria, Politics, 5/31/2005
• For first time, Islamists in Tunisia call Ben Ali to release colleagues
  Several Tunisian Islamists, most of them expatriates, called on the Tunisian President Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali to release so far left members of Islamists prisoners in the Tunisian jails. Tunisia, Politics, 5/31/2005
• El-Baz: Egypt looks for good relations with Iran Egypt-Iran, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Kuwait: the first candidate for 2007 elections starts campaign
  Two years before the legislative elections in Kuwait, Aesha al-Rasheed, the first Kuwaiti candidate decided to launch her election campaign by the beginning of May bowing to work for improving the conditions of woman. Kuwait, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Mauritania's police disperses Islamist demonstration
  The Mauritanian police dispersed by force a demonstration for hundreds of Islamists who demonstrated on Monday in the capital Nouakchott demanding the release of the leader of the Islamic trend and his colleagues, using tear gas and sticks. Mauritania, Politics, 5/31/2005
• King Mohammed sends message to crown prince of Abu Dhabi Morocco-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Former Lebanese premier: US policy controlled by Zionists
  Former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss said on Monday Washington's policy in the Middle East is controlled by the Zionist priorities and firmly established conceptions. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 5/31/2005
• The New Straits Times: Jewish activist calls for sanctions on Israel
  Jewish anti-Zionist activist Uri Davis called the United Nations to impose sanctions on Israel for its human rights violations against the Palestinian people. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Libyan efforts to reform United Nations
  The Libyan Secretary of the General Peoples Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation met in Tripoli Monday morning with the ambassadors of Italy, China, Argentina, Turkey, Pakistan, Spain and South Korea accredited to the Great Jamahiriya whose countries represent "the Group of State Union for Consensus on UN Reform." Libya-UN, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Qathafi thanked for his efforts to solve North African problems Libya-Regional, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Chile's senate speaker reiterates support to Moroccan territorial integrity
  Chile has never recognized the phantom Sahrawi Republic "SADR," a puppet state proclaimed by the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario" on the Algerian soil. Morocco-Chile, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Iran resolved to resume peaceful nuclear activities
  Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said Monday night that "Iran will definitely resume its peaceful nuclear activities," Iran-European Union, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Lahoud for a new election law
  In his first comment on the first phase of the parliamentary elections, the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud expressed his hope that the new parliament which will stem from the current elections will give priority to draw a new election law. Lebanon, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Mrs Mubarak hails key role on working women
  Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak, head of the National Council for Women, said yesterday people nowadays are having in-depth and comprehensive vision on women's work, not only in Egypt but worldwide. Egypt, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Damascus handed over Riyadh 30 Saudis tried to sneak to Iraq
  The Saudi authorities said that Syria handed it over more than 30 Saudis accused of trying to sneak to Iraq to resist against the American forces. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 5/31/2005
• King Fahd recovering, under medical supervision
  A medical source in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said that the Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz who was admitted to hospital last Friday is recovering from a lung inflammation, but he will continue to remain under medical check until later today (Tuesday). Saudi Arabia, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Arrest and release of Iraqi Islamic party leader denounced
  Member of the party's political bureau Ala' Mekke said that the soldiers who carried out the detention operation broke the windows of the house of Abdul Hamid and mistreated him and his sons. He stressed that the American soldiers did not hesitate in putting a bag over his head. Iraq, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Human development initiative to spur social action, PM
  The National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) is to spur social action in Morocco through a global, integrated and lasting approach, said Moroccan premier, Driss jettou on the initiative announced lately by King Mohammed VI. Morocco, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Palestinian authority waits Syria's consent to open embassy in Damascus
  The charge de affairs of the Palestinian embassy in Amman, Atallah Khaeiri, said that the Palestinian authority officially asked the Syrian government to approve opening a Palestinian embassy in Damascus. Palestine-Syria, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Morocco vows continued efforts for political solution to Sahara issue
  "Morocco shall carry on its efforts with the UN and the international community to find a political solution (to the Moroccan Sahara issue) that is acceptable by all parties, within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty and in accordance with the democratic choice of the Kingdom," affirmed Monday Morocco's Premier. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Egyptian security delegation winds up visit to Palestinian territories
  A high-profile Egyptian security delegation led by General Moustafa Al-Behiri wrapped up yesterday a week long visit to the Palestinian territories. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/31/2005
• 10 killed in tribal confrontations in Somalia
  More than 10 persons were killed and other 20 injured while hundreds were displaced in fighting that erupted on Monday between two warring groups in Bedawa city in the center of Somalia over the transfer of the interim Somali government establishments to the city. Somalia, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Speaker briefs US congress staffers on national issues
  The speaker of Morocco's House of Representatives, Abdelwahed Radi briefed, in Rabat Monday, a visiting delegation of US congress staffers, on several issues of national interest. Morocco-USA, Politics, 5/31/2005
• China: interesting market for Moroccan businessmen, ex-WTO DG
  Panitchpakdi recalled that the cancellation of quotas may also be beneficial for south-south cooperation. Morocco-China, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Lebanese deputy calls for support Lebanese resistance Lebanon, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Baz: Israel should abide by Sharm el-Sheikh understandings Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Russian foreign minister warns against unjustified pressures on countries Regional-Russia, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Peace is indispensable for Euro-Med progress Regional-European Union, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Egyptian newspaper criticizes US policy Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/31/2005
• Normal turnout for the parliamentary elections in Beirut
  Tweini said that the call to boycott the elections is a call to marginalize the Christian areas. He questioned the reason behind the Michael Aoun's boycotting for the elections in Beirut while calling for their participation in these elections in the mount of Lebanon area. Lebanon, Politics, 5/30/2005
• A sectarian mosaics for the Lebanese elections
  Some 780 ballot centers were installed in Beirut to elect 19 parliamentarians of whom 19 won unopposed before the beginning of the voting because of the absence of the competition while 26 candidates are competing over the ten remaining seats. Lebanon, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Former exile Benomar returns home
  Moroccan former exile Jamal Eddine Benomar returned Sunday to the kingdom after 20 years. Morocco, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Libya postpones release of Muslim Brothers detainees
  News reports in Libya said that the Libyan authorities had postponed the release of Muslim Brothers members detained by it, due Sunday. This, however, was due to reasons pertinent to special arrangements. Libya, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Al- Sherif: Mubarak lays down pillars of modern state
  Egypt's Speaker of the Shura Council Safwat Al-Sherif said at the beginning of the session for discussing the draft budget and plan of the FY 2005/2006 that President Hosni Mubarak is laying down the pillars of a modern state which is based on participation, political and economic freedoms. Egypt, Politics, 5/30/2005
• President of Bulgaria meets Qathafi, Shalqam expects solution for nurses crisis
  The Bulgarian president Georgi Barvanov met with the Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qathafi in Tripoli in an attempt to end the crisis of the Bulgarian nurses who are accused of injecting hundreds of Libyan children with HIV virus. Libya-Bulgaria, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Annan in southern Sudan, discusses UN support with Garang
  The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has visited southern Sudan in the course of the UN efforts to support the peace agreement. Sudan-UN, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Rifaat al-Assad is ready to cooperate with Washington
  Syrian former Vice President, Rifaat al-Assad, expressed his readiness to cooperate with the administration of the American President George Bush in order to topple the regime in Syria to which he announced he will be returning to bring in democracy and economic prosperity. Syria-USA, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Europe succeeds in delaying Iran's Uranium enrichment start date
  Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said Yesterday that Tehran would continue suspension of its uranium enrichment activities, if the EU latest proposal was accepted by the Iranian senior officials. Iran-European Union, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Gulf states supports Iraq's independence, Lebanon's unity
  Leaders of the Gulf cooperation council (GCC) states expressed in their consultation summit which was held on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, their support for the political process in Iraq and the independence of this country. Gulf-Regional, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Lebanon is committed to UN resolutions, Hammoud
  Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud on Sunday said his country is committed to the UN resolutions regarding the Middle East peace process based on the Land-for-Peace formula and "Madrid terms of reference". Lebanon-European Union, Politics, 5/30/2005
• 'Polisario' publicly threatens to resort to terror against Morocco
  The separatist "Polisario" movement openly threatened to resort to terror acts against Morocco according to the menaces made public by Ali Salem Tamek and run Sunday by the Spanish "El Mondo" daily. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/30/2005
• King Mohammed reiterates support to Palestinian cause
  Morocco's King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Qods Committee, renewed Saturday to the Palestinian President His support to the Palestinian cause and to the "brotherly Palestinian people." Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Egypt manages to contain crisis among Palestinian factions
  Official Palestinian sources said that Egypt has managed to contain the crisis among Palestinian factions especially those which flared between Fatah and Hamas movements following the municipal elections held on May 5. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Fragments of a Syrian missile fell in the Turkish territories
  The Turkish foreign ministry announced on Saturday it had summoned the Syrian ambassador to Turkey, Khaled Raad, asking for clarifications after a military verification and witnesses said that the fragments which were found in a field near the borders with Syria are for a missile fired from the Syrian territories. Syria-Turkey, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Syrian, Iranian relations highlighted
  Sayed stressed Syria's keenness on bolstering bilateral relations with Iran, particularly in the cultural field, pointing out that dialogue among the Islamic peoples is the best way to deal with the problems. Syria-Iran, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Yemen: death penalty for a supporter to al-Houthi over contacting Iran
  The state security court in Yemen on Sunday sentenced to death a Zeidi man of religion and sentencing another 8 years after they were found guilty in contacting with Iran to support the rebellion of the Zeidi scholar Hussein Bader Eddine al-Houthi in the north of Yemen. Yemen-Iran, Politics, 5/30/2005
• No security violations during the Lebanese elections Lebanon, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Mubarak tackles Darfur situation with Gaddafi on phone Egypt-Libya, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Al-Assad meets AL chief Syria-Regional, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Mubarak phones Jordanian Monarch Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 5/30/2005
• Mubarak sends message to Qatari Amir Qatar-Egypt, Politics, 5/30/2005

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