Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 6/6/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of June 6, 2005

• NDP parliamentary committee discusses presidential election draft law Egypt, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Syria: Government reshuffle within two months
  one Baath party new regional leadership member said "the regional congress is expected to be convened every two years or less, noting that President Bashar al-Assad said that the congress might be convened in a less time in order to intensify "monitoring the performance of the Baath party and the state." Syria, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Daily director subpoenaed for running anti-monarchy statments
  Director of "Aujourd'hui le Maroc" daily, Khalid Hachimi Idrissi, was subpoenaed on Friday by the judiciary police at the request of the Rabat first instance court prosecutor. Morocco, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Islamist activist statements 'oppose deep beliefs of Moroccan nation,' official
  The Moroccan government Spokesman, Nabil Benandellah, affirmed Thursday the statements of the Islamist activist Nadia Yassine, who said "monarchy is not suitable for Morocco," oppose the "deep beliefs of the Moroccan nation." Morocco, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Parliament to debate public debt Egypt, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Human rights seminar in Libya tomorrow
  Al Wafa Hall in Sirte is to host on 12th and 13th of June, a scientific seminar on the human rights Libya, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Junblat: all Lebanese opposition are targeted
  The question of the Syrian presence in Lebanon came to the forefront with the beginning of the Lebanese parliamentary elections. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 6/11/2005
• King Abdullah: American pressure helped reforms
  The Jordanian king Abdullah II on Friday considered that the American pressures helped in giving the transformation process in the Middle East a push forward. He stressed that "reforms" that are from the inside "are guaranteed to be a success." Jordan-USA, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Lebanese Lt. Gen. Suleiman on Syrian sacrifices in Lebanon Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Syria: terrorist groups arrested
  Following a quiet and long security pursuit, security forces arrested a large extremist group that has a belief in killing and sabotage as a means to achieve its targets the Syrian government said.. Syria, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Two Iraqi ministers arrive in Syria to discuss joint projects
  Iraqi ministers of electricity and water resources underlined on Thursday the depth of fraternal ties joining Syria and Iraq noting their visit was to exchange view points on cooperation in these two domains. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Washington accuses Damascus of scaring Lebanon
  Washington has accused Damascus of creating an atmosphere of horror in Lebanon and of interfering in its internal affairs and of not withdrawing members of its intelligence. Syria-USA, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Abuja talks between Khartoum, Darfur rebels resumed
  The Sudanese government on Friday resumed talks with the rebels of Darfur in the Nigerian capital Abuja with the aim of reaching a peaceful solution for the crisis in west Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Syrian minister of information criticizes US policy
  Syria's Minister of Information, Mehdi Dakhlallah has strongly criticized the latest US. statements on the alleged presence of Syrian intelligence personnel in Lebanon, describing such statements as groundless since Syria has always dealt with Lebanon on very clear ground and nothing has been of secret nature in dealing with Lebanon. Syria-USA, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Qathafi: Power lies within the citizens - American evacuation anniversary
  On the occasion of the elapse of 35 years, since the evacuation of the biggest military base of the biggest country. We remind ourselves and the world, that America neither entered Libya with force nor war Libya-USA, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Qatar's human traficking report
  Qatar is a destination country for men and women trafficked for the purpose of labor exploitation and young boys trafficked for the purpose of exploitation as camel jockeys. Women and men who work as domestic servants, some of whom fall victim to involuntary servitude Qatar, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Sahara issue settlement lies in respect of Moroccan sovereignty, El Yazghi
  The political solution to the Sahara conflict lies in the respect of the sovereignty of Morocco over its Southern provinces and this is the sole means to put an end to this artificial conflict that affects the region and its stability and security, said in Bouznika on Friday Mohamed El Yazghi. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Moroccan associations in Spain denounce peaceful demonstration banning
  Several associations of Moroccans based in Spain denounced the banning of a demonstration they asked to stage in Madrid to protest the Algerian acts hostile to the Moroccan territorial integrity as well as instigations by some Spanish organisations to interfere in Moroccan internal affairs. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Catalan deputies sent home by Morocco tried to 'act like stars', Catalan MP
  The Catalan parliamentarians who were denied entry, Wednesday, to the Moroccan southern city of Laayoune, were trying to "act like stars," deplored, here Thursday, deputy of the Socialist Party of Catalonia, Juan Manuel Jaime. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Israel warns its citizens from armed attacks in Egypt
  Once again Israel has warned its citizens from traveling to Egypt especially the Sinai peninsula, of fears to be exposed to armed attacks, just one day before the fall of Jewish feast celebrations. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/11/2005
• Sultan Qaboos pardons detainees convicted of trying to topple the regime
  A governmental source in Muscat said that Sultan Qaboos Bin Said on Thursday issued a pardon for 31 detainees who were sentenced over being members in a banned secret organization seeking to topple the ruling system in Oman and to found the "Imam's system" in the Sultanate. Oman, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Baath congress approves reform ideas
  Among the most significant recommendations was revision of the emergency law and limiting its rules to crimes that affect the state security. Syria, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Al-Assad: The Baath party does not own the country
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that the Baath party leads the state and the authority but does not own the country which is the property of all the Syrians. Syria, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Baath party reform recommendations wide ranging
  Shaaban indicated that the congress decided to separate the party from the authority, which means that no member in the regional leadership has right to assume another post in the government with the exception of the Parliament speaker and the prime minister and members of the executive and legislative authorities. Syria, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Al-Jazeera: Reaction to the recommendations of the Baath party congress
  The Syrian political analysist Yasse Nehlawi described what was concluded by the congress as the beginning of a new phase in the Syrian political scene that was provided for by President Bashar al-Assad through which he works for the building of the state with new faces as elements. Syria, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Saudi legal committee receives complaints of prisoners in the kingdom
  Officials in the national society for human rights in Saudi Arabia which was established by the beginning of 2004 said they had received 2000 complaints from prisoners in the kingdom's prisons. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Nadia Yassine and weekly director cases sent to court
  Nadia Yassine, member of the "Al Adl Wal Ihssane" movement, and Abdelaziz Koukas, Director of the weekly "Al Ousbouaaya Al Jadida" cases will be sent to court on June 28, judiciary sources said in Rabat Thursday. Morocco, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Fundamentalist organization spokesman summoned by prosecutor
  Spokesman of the officially non-recognized "Al Adl Wal Ihssane" organization, Fathallah Arsalane, was summoned Thursday afternoon by the judiciary police at the request of the Rabat first instance court prosecutor, according to sources in Rabat. Morocco, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Yemen supports Iran's rights for nuclear development
  President Saleh said Iran has the right to make use of nuclear technology within the framework of international rules and “to provide nuclear fuel for its power plants,” IRNA reported, adding “Regional states are not worried about Tehran's peaceful nuclear activities, but they are concerned about Israel's nuclear arsenals.” Yemen-Iran, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Kuwait's human traficking report
  Kuwait should also take steps to protect the rights of its huge domestic workforce by extending them protection under Kuwait’s labor laws or through other appropriate mechanisms. Kuwait-USA, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Assahra Al Maghribiya: Families say their children manipulated in Laayoune incidents
  The families of the people arrested during the Laayoune events said "their children were deceived by several adventurers who took advantage of the naivety of the teenagers" to serve the interests of the separatists Morocco, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Kurdistani national council retifies local law on election
  In the internal Iraqi political field, the Kurdistani national council ratified a draft law of the presidency of Iraq's Kurdistan district which was proposed by the two main Kurdish parties, states that Masoud al-Barazani will assume presidency for four years. Iraq, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Straw presides European delegation in sudden visit to Baghdad
  The British foreign office secretary Jack Straw met with the Iraqi President Jalal al-Talibani and several members of leaders of the Iraqi government in Baghdad which he had arrived earlier in the day on Thursday in a sudden visit accompanied by a delegation representing the European Union. Iraq-European Union, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Kuwait's crown prince in hospital
  A statement by the Kuwaiti Amir divan said that crown prince Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah was admitted to hospital after an increase of "blood sugar level," noting that his condition is stable now. Kuwait, Politics, 6/10/2005
• US Senate to hold hearings on Guantanamo detainees
  The Senate Judiciary Committee will conduct a hearing June 15 to determine whether hundreds of people from around the world who have been labled by the US as "enemy combatants" and "suspected" terrorists currently held at the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and elsewhere are being given adequate legal protection, the committee announced June 8. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/10/2005
• US Congress approves bill on UN reform
  The US Congressional House International Relations Committee, on June 8, approved a bill by Committee Chairman Henry J. Hyde that calls for specific reforms at the United Nations. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Washington freezes assets of a Syrian company accused of providing weapons to Saddam Hussein's regime
  The administration of the US President George W. Bush on Thursday ordered freezing the assets of a Syrian company and of its officials. Washington says they provided weapons to the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in violation of sanctions that used to be imposed on Iraq by the UN. Syria-USA, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Al-Baath Arab Socialist Party elects new members for regional leadership Syria, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Ba'ath Congress recommends Parties' Law and Media Higher council Syria, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Qathafi receives Darfur rebel leaders Libya-Sudan, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Rasheed: Egypt proud to be African Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Qidwa calls for pressure on Israel Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/10/2005
• US Labor Secretary Chao sees employment as key to Iraq's stability Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/10/2005
• Algerian Algerian prime minister expected in Morocco Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Syrian intellectuals call on the Baath congress to revive 'Damascus spring'
  In a statement issued on Wednesday, Syrian intellectuals called on the ruling Baath Arab socialist party which convenes its 10th regional congress for releasing all political detainees in Syria and to bring back life to what they called the "Spring of Damascus". Syria, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Baath congress recommends establishment of observatory for the national economy
  Interpositions during the economic committee's meeting to the Baath party congress today concentrated on the necessity of forming a national economic observatory. Syria, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Al-Assad takes part in congress deliberations Syria, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Tenth Baath party congress expects to take driving decisions
  One participant in the ruling Baath party congress in Syria, which continues its deliberations in Damascus, said that "the congress will take fundamental driving decisions and will open up a new phase in Syria." Syria, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Party congress says necessity for reforming the judiciary
  They stressed the necessity for reforming the judiciary and separating it from the Executive Authority and holding a conference on judiciary in Syria. Syria, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Arab rejection of linking terrorism to resistance or religion Regional, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Lebanese forces announce candidates
  In the course of preparations for the third and fourth round of the Lebanese parliamentary elections, Streida Jaajaa, wife of the chairman of the banned Lebanese forces Samir Jaajaa who has been in jail since 11 years, announced nominating herself for one of the north of Lebanon areas, in addition to announcing other 7 candidates for the elections. Lebanon, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Iraqi Sunni demand 25 members in the Iraqi constitution committee
  The representatives for the Iraqi Sunni called for having 25 seats in the Iraqi constitution formulation committee of the 55 seats and to have the right to vote even if they are not elected parliamentarians in the Iraqi parliament. Iraq, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Kuwaiti court supports sentence against a scholar accused of insulting the Amir
  The supreme court in Kuwait supported a (non-implemented ) two-year imprisonment sentence against the Islamic scholar Hamid al-Ali under the charge of insulting the Amir of the country Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Kuwait, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Jordan calls on Israel to stop aggression on al-Aqsa Jordan-Israel, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Nasrullah condemns foreign interventions in Lebanon
  Secretary General of the Lebanese Resistance Hizbullah on Wednesday condemned the foreign interventions in the Lebanese internal affairs, particularly regarding the disarmament of the national resistance. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Mauritania's Knights of Change deny accusations
  The " Knights of Change " movement in Mauritania, which carried out the failed coupe in June 2003 against President Weld al-Taye, denied in a statement connection to the killing incident of 15 Mauritanian soldiers and offered condolences to the Mauritanian people and army. Mauritania, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Nouakchott demonstrates against the north attacks
  Thousands of Mauritanian people took the streets on Wednesday in a people's march organized by the ruling social democratic party in protest of the attack which targeted a military position to the north east of the country in which 15 soldiers were killed and other 17 were injured. Mauritania, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Moroccan press lashes out at Islamist anti-monarchy statements
  The Moroccan press lashed out at Nadia Yassine's latest declaration stating that the monarchy does not suit Morocco. Morocco, Politics, 6/9/2005
• King Mohammed sends message to Mauritanian President
  Mauritanian President, Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya received in Nouakchott Wednesday Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa who conveyed to the Mauritanian President a message from King Mohammed VI. Mauritania-Morocco, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Pro-separatists Catalan MPs seek to mar Morocco-Spanish relations, Minister
  The Catalan deputies that were sent home from the Moroccan southern city of Laayoune wanted to mar relations between Morocco and Spain through triggering bad incidents, Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs, Taib Fassi Fihri, said in Cordoba, southern Spain, Wednesday. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/9/2005
• L'Opinion: Salafist and Polisario groups turn desert into international terror base, daily
  The Algerian Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) and the "Polisario" are part of terrorist organisations belonging to various religious obediences and ethnic origins operating in vast desert areas of the Sahara and the Sahel, said Wednesday the Moroccan "L'Opinion" daily. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Calls to give US detainees legal status
  former President Jimmy Carter is calling for the closing of the detention center at Guantanamo Regional-USA, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Syria voices sorrow over campaign sets by certain Arab media
  Syria's Minister of Information expressed on Wednesday deep regret over some Arab media contribution to the intensive media campaign Syria is exposed to due to her principled positions on Arab causes. Syria-Regional, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Morocco-Iraqi agreements on oil supply upheld, ambassador
  The Iraqi ambassador in Rabat, Abdelmohsen Mohamed Said confirmed that the bilateral agreements under which Iraq commits to sell oil to Morocco for a preferential price are upheld. Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Baath congress for dialogue with US, Europe Syria-USA, Politics, 6/9/2005
• al-Rai al-A'm: EU hasn't taken procedures to stop Israeli racial wall: parliamentarian
  Luisa Morgantini called on the international community to pressure Israel into abiding by the UN relevant resolutions, saying "the European Union should deal with Israel as a state which violates the International law and human rights." Palestine-European Union, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Turkey's democracy is an important example Regional-USA, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Pleas for constructive dialogue between Moroccan, Spanish civil societies on Sahara conflict
  The Moroccan Minister delegate for Foreign affairs on Wednesday called for a "constructive" dialogue between the Moroccan and Spanish civil societies on the Sahara dispute. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/9/2005
• Ahmed Rezq: Mubarak Abdullah summit showed full coordination Jordan-Egypt, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Baath congress wants active and transparent leadership
  Members of al-Baath 10th Congress said Tuesday "delicate criteria should be adopted in choosing the party leadership," asserting importance of transparency, frankness and constructive criticism as well as combating corruption and inaction. Syria, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Calls to reinvigorate political life in Syria
  Political committee of the Baath party congress today called to reactivate the political life in Syria and to deepen the popular participation in addition to "pay attention to others' opinion." Syria, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Accountability real factor for reform and combating corruption
  Shaaban said that the discussions and interpositions of the committees meetings concentrated on implementing the accountability principle which constitutes the real factor of reform and combating corruption. Syria, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Preparations underway for third phase of Lebanese elections
  Preparations are underway for the third phase of the Lebanese parliamentary elections in the Bekaa area and the Mount of Lebanon next Sunday. Lebanon, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Khartoum to obey International Criminal Court: we do not want confrontation with the Security Council
  Khartoum on Tuesday lessened its opposition to the Sudanese mission for the International Criminal Court, when the Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael announced that Khartoum will assume by itself investigations in the crime of killing, rape, and burning of villages in Darfur district to the west of Khartoum. Sudan-UN, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Bush and Blair assertions in direct conflict with secret memo on attacking Iraq
  US President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair were asked "On Iraq, the so-called Downing Street memo from July 2002 says intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy of removing Saddam through military action. Is this an accurate reflection of what happened?" Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/8/2005
• NDP submits draft bill on Presidential elections to the government
  The National Democratic Party (NDP) yesterday submitted to the Government the final draft bill which will regulate the forthcoming presidential elections. Egypt, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Syria is to establish a media higher council
  "Syria is studying prospects of establishing a new media mechanism and giving room for party pluralism," Spokesperson for the Baath 10th Congress, Minister of Expatriates Buthaina Shaaban said Tuesday. Syria, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Syrian spokeswoman: Khaddam is still a leading figure
  The Syrian minister of expatriates and spokeswoman for the 10th Baath party congress, ruling in Syria, stressed that the Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam is still a member in the Baath party regional leadership. Syria, Politics, 6/8/2005
• US senator meets Annan, accuses Syria of killing Hariri
  In the first American, but not official accusations to Syria of involving in the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, The US senator Patrick Leihi said he still doubts that Damascus is responsible for the assassination. Syria-USA, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Baghdad pursues slow death policy against gunmen, accusations against al-Jaafari government of targeting Baghdad Sunnis
  The Muslim Scholars Commission warned that the current security operation in Baghdad in which so far 887 persons were at least arrested might lead to the emergence of sectarian conflict. Iraq, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Bush's nominee as U.S. ambassador to Iraq lists priorities
  Zalmay Khalilzad, US President George W. Bush's nominee to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Iraq, outlined a seven-point plan to help Iraq overcome its present difficulties and realize a secure and prosperous future. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/8/2005
• 16 Somalis killed in tribal clashes
  Somali officials and eye witnesses said on Tuesday that 16 persons were at least killed and scores injured in clashes between the militias in two towns to the north of the capital Mogadishu. Somalia, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Morocco, Spain agree to re-launch search for Sahara conflict solution, communique
  Morocco and Spain agreed on the need to "re-launch the search for a solution to the Sahara conflict which has been going on for more than thirty years," a communique of the Spanish foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Sofia doubts Libyan sentence on officers' not guilty of torturing nurses
  The Bulgarian government doubted the efficacy of the Libyan judiciary after three Libyan policemen were found not guilty of torturing Bulgarian nurses. The nurses alleged that they were tortured to make confessions in the case of injecting Libyan children of HIV virus. Libya-Bulgaria, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Abu al-Gheit to visit Israel on June 19 Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Jericho International Seminar II cancelled
  "An international seminar organized by the Palestinian Peace Coalition to discuss the potential scenarios following the Gaza Withdrawal was cancelled as Israeli participants have failed to receive the adequate security clearance to enter Jericho, venue of the conference, the Palestinian Peace Coalition/ PPC organization said yesterday. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/8/2005
• El Watan: Lack of Maghreb integration blocks Barcelona process, official
  The Moroccan Industry Minister has deplored that the lack of Maghreb integration is a "factor that blocks the implementation of the Barcelona process" which lays foundations of a regional relationship between the European Union and partners of the Southern Mediterranean. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/8/2005
• King calls for 'energizing' Maghreb Arab Union Libya-Morocco, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Golan citizens show loyalty to homeland Syria-Israel, Politics, 6/8/2005
• Bahrain condemns attempts of abuse al-Aqsa Bahrain-Palestine, Politics, 6/8/2005
• The Sunday Times: US and UK manipulated intelligence in order to attack Iraq, causes inquiry
  the United States and Britain had decided to attack Iraq knowing full well that the case against Iraq's weapons of mass destruction was weak, and that Iraq did not pose danger to its neighbors, allegations that the US and the UK officials repeated to their citizens in order to create a climate that would be permissive to attacking Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/7/2005
• Khaddam asks to be exempted from post
  The Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam asked president Bashar al-Assad to exempt him from official duties in the state and the party. This was expressed in the first day of the Baath party 10th regional congress which is currently held in Damascus. Syria, Politics, 6/7/2005
• Al-Assad chairs the first session of Baath regional congress Syria, Politics, 6/7/2005
• President Bashar al-Assad's speech to the 10th Regional Congress of the Ba'ath Arab Socialist Party
  We must face this situation with greater awareness, responsibility and defiance. All the vital forces in the Arab world: every party, organization, and association, intellectual and politician, should take the initiative to analyze the situation and to come up with appropriate means to face this reality, and try to increase our sense of belonging to the Arab nation, its past and present, by supporting the values of openness, tolerance and liberty in Arab society Syria, Politics, 6/7/2005
• Baath Party Congress spokeswoman outlines activities
  The 10th Regional Congress of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party on Monday evening continued deliberations on the level of committees. Syria, Politics, 6/7/2005
• Seminar on human rights in Libya Libya, Politics, 6/7/2005
• Libyan government denies links to killing of Journalist Ghazelle
  The Libyan authorities denied on Monday any links by the Libyan security forces to the the killing of journalist Deif al-Ghazelle, who disappeared since 12 days, and promised to unveil the facts very soon. Libya, Politics, 6/7/2005
• On the Lebanese legislative elections
  The Lebanese Ministry of the Interior confirmed today that the alliance of Hizbullah- Amal movement won all seats of the circles of the South Lebanon governorate in the legislative elections whose second phase was completed on Monday. Lebanon, Politics, 6/7/2005
• After Hizbullah great elections win, Washington calls for dismantling Hizbullah weapons, considers it terrorist organization
  In the first reaction of the Lebanese Hizbullah party winning the second round of the parliamentary elections in south Lebanon, Washington said that this party will continue to be viewed by it as "a terrorist organization" while the party stressed it will not give up its arms. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 6/7/2005
• Syrian policeman killed, four Kurds injured in al-Qamishli
  One Syrian policeman was killed and other four persons were injured in confrontation that took place yesterday in al-Qamishli city, following acts of protests carried out by Kurds over the assassination of the Kurdish Sheikh Muhammad Mashouq al-Khaznawi in vague circumstances. Syria, Politics, 6/7/2005
• Benaissa calls Spanish media to be unbiased in Sahara issue
  Visiting Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohamed Benaissa on Monday called on the Spanish media to be unbiased and objective while dealing with the Sahara dispute that opposes Morocco to the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/7/2005
• Morocco never refuses objective visitors, ambassador
  Moroccan ambassador to Spain, Omar Azziman said in Madrid Monday Morocco never refused to anyone abiding by "objectivity guarantees" to visit the Sahara, stressing the Spanish delegation which was denied entry to Laayoune was biased in favour of the separatist "Polisario" movement. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/7/2005
• Al-Salafeyah movement in Algeria claims attack on military position in Mauritania
  The Salafeyah Group For Call And Fighting in Algeria claimed responsibility for the attack at a military position for the Mauritanian army to the north east of the country which resulted in killing 15 soldiers Algeria-Mauritania, Politics, 6/7/2005
• UN envoy on Lebanon to travel to Syria
  The United Nations special envoy overseeing Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon will travel to Syria "as soon as possible" for talks with the country's President, a UN spokesman said yesterday. Syria-UN, Politics, 6/7/2005
• Amal, Hizbullah announce winning all seats of south Lebanon
  Nabil Qawook, the Hizbullah party official in south Lebanon said that all voters prove by their voting they protect the resistance, the same way the resistance protected the homeland by weapons and bullets. Lebanon, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Libyan journalist found killed, brutalized
  A Libyan judicial society said that the Libyan journalist who was kidnapped two weeks ago, Deif al-Ghazzelle, was found killed. The society accused the corruption trend inside the country of liquidating him. Libya, Politics, 6/6/2005
• On the election operations in south Lebanon
  Voters in the cities of south Lebanon casted their votes in the second round of the parliamentary elections which are being held in three phases, the first of which started in Beirut on May 29. The list of Saad al-Hariri had won all the 19 seats in the capital. Lebanon, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Al-Assad demands the Baath party to discuss reforms views, fighting corruption
  He added that these developed besieged the Arab citizen with the aim of achieving a fundamental objective. It is the taxation of the Arab identity by what he called those who target the Arab nation who aim at converting the Arab states into a negative bloc, that does not have the will and accepts what is imposed on it blindly. Syria, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Kuwaiti government appoints two women to the municipal council
  The Kuwaiti government decided to appoint two women to occupy two seats in the municipal councils which is composed of 16 members, ten of them were elected on Thursday. This coincided with the consent of the parliament to providing women full political rights in May. Kuwait, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Bahraini activist tried over insulting judiciary
  The Bahraini women activist Ghada Jamshir was brought on Saturday before a court in Manama that accused her of insulting the judiciary. Bahrain, Politics, 6/6/2005
• On the sit in of the Lebanese opposition
  The Lebanese opposition decided to postpone the sit in it had called for today (Monday) near the Lebanese Presidential palace in order to pressure the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud and push him to resign. Lebanon, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Egyptian parliament refuses to investigate attacks on journalists
  The Egyptian parliament on Saturday refused a request for the opposition to investigate attacks launched by supporters of the ruling party against demonstrators and journalists, during a referendum held in May. Egypt, Politics, 6/6/2005
• 18 soldiers killed in attack against a military base in north Mauritania
  The Mauritanian authorities are chasing at the meantime other four members of this group. Nouakchott accuses the executors of these attempts of receiving support from Islamists Mauritania, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Egyptian-Jordanian summit in Sharm el-Sheikh today
  It aimed at safeguarding the interests of the Arab nation in general and those of the peoples of both states in particular, "Egypt's ambassador to Jordan, Ahmed Rizk said yesterday. Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 6/6/2005
• International Criminal Court opens investigation into Darfur
  The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has decided to open an investigation into the situation in Darfur, Sudan, following the United Nations Security Council's referral of 51 names of people blamed for war crimes in the conflict between the Khartoum Government, allied militia and rebels in the region. Sudan-UN, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Khartoum calls on Darfur rebels to take part in Abuja talks
  The Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir expressed his hope on the participation of the rebels of Darfur in the talks set in Abuja, Nigeria next Friday. Sudan, Politics, 6/6/2005
• La Gazette du Maroc: Some Algerian generals oppose solution to Sahara conflict, former counterintelligence official
  As long as some Algerian Generals are still in power, we "cannot hope for a normalization between Morocco and Algeria or for a solution to the Sahara conflict," stated Colonel Mohamed Samraoui, former aid of head of Algerian counterintelligence service (DRS), Smain Lamari. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Abu Zeid: Vicious attempts to spoil Egypt-Nile Basin countries relations will be unfruitful
  Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mahmoud Abu Zeid said that any vicious attempt to spoil the relations between Egypt and the Nile Basin countries will be unfruitful because leaders of these countries trust President Hosni Mubarak and look forward to Egypt's technical and financial assistance that boost these strong relations. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Sudan asks for Arab support to the African forces
  Ismael called on the Arab states to support the efforts made by the African Union to fix the situation in Darfur. Sudan-Regional, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Abul-Gheit: North Korea keen on posting Egypt on developments of its nuclear programme
  Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit received yesterday N. Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Choe Su Yong, who is now visiting Egypt. Egypt-North Korea, Politics, 6/6/2005
• OIC urges Washington to show no leniency to perpetrators of Quran desecration
  The Organization of the Islamic conference (OIC) has urged Washington to "live up to its responsibility and not show leniency to perpetrators of Quran desecration" in the American base of Guantanamo (Cuba). Regional-USA, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Autonomy within Morocco 'realistic solution' to Sahara conflict, Erik Jensen
  A large autonomy of the Sahara within Morocco would be "the most realistic solution to the Sahara conflict," said in Madrid Saturday, Erik Jensen, former special representative of the UN Secretary general for the Sahara. Morocco-UN, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Iraqi government prepares 12 accusations against Saddam Hussein
  The interim Iraqi government announced that the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein might face the greatest possible penalty. This comes following preperations for trial for 12 accusations against him out of 500 accusations set by the court specialized for trying him. Iraq, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Egyptian paper condemns Israel's accusation against syria
  Egyptian daily of al-Jonhoureh condemned Sunday latest accusations against Syria by Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom "who has ignored that Israel has been occupying Arab lands including the Syrian Golan which is considered an obvious violation of the international law and the UN legitimacy resolutions." Syria-Israel, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Morocco denies entry to pro-Polisario Spanish delegation
  Local authorities of Laayoune denied Sunday entry to a Pro-Polisario Spanish delegation for "lack of official authorization to practice political activities in the city" and for "biased support" to the Polisario separatists. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/6/2005
• More US citizens ask for the Quran due to the desecration incidents
  Mufti of the Egyptian Republic Ali Gomaa demanded the US administration to apologize to all Muslims for the five incidents of profaning the Holy Quran by the US soldiers according to the Pentagon report. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/6/2005
• American military mission in Comoros
  A diplomat from Comoros said that the aims of the visit is to detain one of Comoros's citizens called Fadel, who is accused of taking part in the two attacks against the two American universities in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. Comoros-USA, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Kharrazi in Saudi Arabia tomorrow Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 6/6/2005
• Jordanian monarch: No settlement of the Palestinians Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 6/6/2005

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