Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 6/13/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of June 13, 2005

• Lebanese elections make for strange alliances
  Political contacts among the main forces in north Lebanon and the elections in general have brought together old opponents joining each other in a mesh of political alliances and rivalries. Lebanon, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Agreement between Sudanese government, northen opposition
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir will attend in Cairo tomorrow signing of the final agreement between the Sudanese government and the opposition National Democratic Alliance. Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Agreement on Iraqi constitutional committee reached
  A detente took place in Iraq on Thursday after the Iraqi parliamentarian Jawad al Maliki, the second man in the Islamic Dawa ( call) party led by the Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim al-Jafaari. Jawad al-Malki said that it was " agreed in the committee of formulating the Iraqi constitution to increase number of the Sunni Arab members in the committee from two members to 25 members, among whom 15 members will be permanent while the other ten are consultants. Iraq, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Damascus: Bahjat Suleiman moved from his post
  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made on Thursday important changes in the structure of the leadership of certain Syrian security forces. Syria, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Jordanian king calls for accelerating reforms
  The Jordanian king Abdullah has called on Thursday his prime minister Adnan Badran to accelerate the pace of reforms. He criticized members of the Jordanian parliament among them the opposition for the reforms, in remarks to the resignation of the minister of finance Basem Awadallah, which was accepted earlier. Jordan, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Upcoming visit of Algerian PM 'untimely', foreign ministry
  The visit that Algeria's Prime Minister, Ahmed Ouyahia was to pay to Morocco (June 21-22) is "untimely" because of the current state of Morocco-Algerian relations, a communique of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said Thursday. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Doha Summit condemns US unilateral procedures against Syria
  "Policies of hegemony and wars as well occupation are of no use, and the policy of dialogue, international cooperation and peace are the wining choice for both the north and south," Shara said. Syria-USA, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Lahoud: Just peace is the only solution according to UN resolutions
  President Lahoud, meeting Turkish Premier Recep Tayyeb Erdogan, added that "security in Lebanon is a red line that should not be overstepped," stressing that the return of security to Lebanon is stabilizing day by day. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Signs of Israeli-European crisis following contacts with Hamas
  Israel had complained over contacts the European Union had made with the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, in a development that warns of a new crisis to occur in the European- Israeli relations; relations which have already been stressed since some time over what Israel considers a European bias against Israel. Israel-European Union, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Rice arrives in Gaza tomorrow
  An American delegation arrived in the Palestinian territories on Thursday in preparations for the forthcoming visit by the US secretary of state Conzaleezza Rice to the region on Saturday. Palestine-USA, Politics, 6/17/2005
• EU announces no position to isolate Syria: European MP
  The European Union did not take any attitude to isolate Syria, on the contrary, the EU has supported Syria's stances in different fields of economy, technology and logistics, Beatrice Patri, head of the EU parliamentary delegation to Syria said Thursday. Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Qathafi presses for a united Africa
  The proposals are related to the creation of the portfolios of ministers of foreign affairs , defense, external trade, transportation, and communication, at the African Union, as well as abolishing customs among AU member countries Libya-Regional, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Prince Nayef discloses investigations into al-Qaida burning three copters in al-Qasim
  Al-Qaida organization in the Arab peninsula claimed responsibility for what it called an operation to burning three helicopters in al-Qasim airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in May. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Suleiman probes Israeli Gaza withdrawal in Ramallah, Tel Aviv Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/17/2005
• US agrees to expansion, continues efforts to shift focus from real Security Council reform
  "In line with the Security Council reform, we should speed up the security Council reform by increasing its membership, so the African Union will have a permanent membership in it, as well as Latin America, and introduce more improvements to its performance and cancel whatever hinders the carrying out of its tasks and foremost 'The veto right' which has become obsolete." Regional-USA, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Congressman talks about US pullout; six marines, more Iraqis killed
  Six US marines were killed in Iraq while several Iraqis were killed and injured in different blowing up operations following the killing of 46 Iraqis in various attacks on Wednesday. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Morocco 'invited' to resume mediation in the Mano River region, FM
  Morocco has received an "invitation" to resume mediation between countries of the African Mano River Union, revealed Thursday, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Mohamed Benaissa. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 6/17/2005
• al-Thawra: Syrian spokesman: no censorship on press publications Syria, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Free-trade deal with Indonesia under review Egypt-Indonesia, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Moroccan authorities arrest over 100 illegal emigrants
  Moroccan authorities arrested on June 12-14 some 125 illegal emigrants who were planning to cross clandestinely to Europe, revealed, here Thursday the Moroccan Interior ministry. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/17/2005
• Saudi Arabia confirms discussing border disputes with UAE
  The Saudi minister of the interior Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz said he had discussed in Abu Dhabi the issue of the border between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, denying the existence of any differences between the two states. Saudi Arabia-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Hariri intensifies efforts in the Lebanese elections
  In preparations for the fourth and last phase of the Lebanese parliamentary elections, Lebanese opposition figure Saad al-Hariri started to intensify his political efforts. He expressed his hope to achieve a surge once again following the sudden victory of his rival Michael Aoun. Lebanon, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Aoun ready to assume the Lebanese presidency
  The elected Lebanese parliamentarian Michael Aoun on Wednesday expressed his readiness to assume the post of the President of the Lebanese Republic in case there will be a consensus on his political program and the evacuation of the current President Emil Lahoud. Lebanon, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Syrian opposition figure in Baghdad to destabilize the regime in Damascus
  The opposition Syrian Islah party (reform party), Fareed al-Ghadiri, said on Wednesday that he is currently visiting Iraq for talks aiming at supporting activities his party carries out against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Ghassan Salameh: Legislative elections in Lebanon are a perpetuation of sectarianism
  Commenting on the current legislative elections in Lebanon, former Lebanese minister of culture Ghassan Salameh said that these elections "constitute a consolidation for sectarianism the same as happened in Iraq." Indicating that the success attained by Michael Aoun is not that great and importance. Lebanon, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Sunday Times: US and UK manufactured pretext for war against Iraq
  The Sunday Times report said "The briefing paper, for participants at a meeting of Blair's inner circle on July 23, 2002, said that since regime change was illegal it was 'necessary to create the conditions' which would make it legal." Regional-USA, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Lahoud: No peace without implementing UN resolutions
  Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud on Wednesday said there will be no solution to the Middle East question without the implementation of the UN resolutions. Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Arab Sunni refuse middle solutions over the constitution
  The Iraqi constitution committee proposed a compromise solution to the Arab Sunni in order to end differences over getting them involved in the constitution formulation process. Iraq, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Qatar calls for the creation of an economic development fund for South countries
  Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, made in Doha Wednesday a proposal, at the opening of the second Summit of the Group of 77 and China, calling for the approval of the project on the creation of a social and economic development fund for South countries. Qatar-Regional, Politics, 6/16/2005
• King calls on rich countries to honor commitments towards the poor
  This signal, he explained, is a call for prudence and wisdom, since the widening economic and technological gap between the North and the South does not only have adverse effects within developing countries, but it also poses a threat to global security in a world which has been reduced to a global village. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 6/16/2005
• G-77 summit demands the abrogation of American sanctions on Syria
  The Syrian deputy foreign minister Walid al-Muallim said that the second South (countries) Summit which started deliberations in Doha adopted a resolution rejecting unilateral decisions imposed on Syria by the US under what is called "Syria's Accountability Act" and demanded the abrogation of this law and returning back to "constructive dialogue." Syria-USA, Politics, 6/16/2005
• US Senate hearing on detainees; an accused person has no rights
  The US Senate began yesterday hearings to look into the problems that surround the status of detainees held by the US military as enimy combatant. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/16/2005
• as-Safir: Israel launches new settlement campaign in Golan
  The Israeli government has given green light to settlers in the occupied Syrian Golan to launch a new settlement campaign to attract hundreds of Israelis to settle in the Golan. Syria-Israel, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Agreement for deployment of Egyptian forces at Gaza-Israel border
  An Israeli official said that Egypt and Israel reached an initial agreement over the deployment of Egyptian soldiers along the borders with Egypt and Gaza following the expected Israeli withdrawal next August. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/16/2005
• On the Israeli withdrawal from Jenin
  Concerning the steps of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the Palestinian Authority said that Israel has agreed to hand over to the Palestinians the city of Jenin, in the north of the West Bank, during the joint meeting with Israel with the objective of coordinating the withdrawal from Gaza in August. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/16/2005
• European parliamentary delegation-forum on dialogue and diversity
  Mrs. Piatrice Patrie said that Europe and Syria were bound not only by geographical proximity and economic relations but also by long historical and human ties which proved that this region cannot but live on the idea of dialogue and tolerance Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Arab conference on terrorism calls to differentiate terror from liberation struggle
  Secretary General of the Arab Interior Ministers Council stressed, during the opening ceremony of 8th Arab Conference on Terrorism, the necessity of differentiating between terrorism and oppressed peoples' legal right of struggle to liberate their occupied lands and gain their self-determination right in accordance with the related international resolutions. Regional, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Minister wants to increase preachers' salaries
  Moroccan Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq on Wednesday voiced his department's hope that an additional budget of MAD 100m (Euro 9m) be earmarked to improve the situation of Friday prayer's preachers. Morocco, Politics, 6/16/2005
• NTV: Erdogan hails Syrian-Turkish relations Syria-Turkey, Politics, 6/16/2005
• China underlines importance of cooperation with the Arab states Regional-China, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Canada should conclude free trade agreement with Morocco, senator Morocco-Canada, Politics, 6/16/2005
• US Assistant Secretary of State in Libya Libya-USA, Politics, 6/16/2005
• New York Times: US for two new UN Security Council members Regional-USA, Politics, 6/16/2005
• Three Algerian journalists sentenced to prison
  An Algerian court sentenced three Algerian journalists to imprisonment period ranging between two to six months over accusations to defaming the President of the Republic, Abdul Aziz Butaflika, and the army foundation. Algeria, Politics, 6/15/2005
• UAE- Saudi talks to discuss border differences issue
  United Arab Emirates and Saudi officials on Tuesday held talks in Abu Dhabi over the border disputes between the two sides and the sharing of oil revenues on their joint borders. United Arab Emirates-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Law shall be applied against freedom misuse, Minister
  Law will be applied "against those who misuse the atmosphere of democracy and freedom, to which Morocco has committed, to damage the institutions and the sacred values of our country," Minister of Communication, Spokesman of the government, Nabil Benabdellah vented Tuesday. Morocco, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Hariri launches campaign from Tripoli
  The Lebanese opposition figure Saad al-Hariri started his political moves in north Lebanon prior to the fourth and last phase of the parliamentary elections, expressing his hope to do well up again following the sudden victory in competing with Michael Aoun. Lebanon, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Mubarak receives a message from Crown Prince Abdullah
  He denied that there was disagreement between Saudi Arabia and Yemen adding Saudi Arabia did-not call for Egypt's mediation in this affair. Prince Al Faisal said the health of King Fahd Bin Abdel Aziz was satisfactory adding he would be discharged from the hospital in the upcoming few days. Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Washington Post: Kurds rule roughshod in Kirkuk
  The Washington Post reported today that "Police and security units, forces led by Kurdish political parties and backed by the U.S. military, have abducted hundreds of minority Arabs and Turkmens in this intensely volatile city and spirited them to prisons in Kurdish-held northern Iraq, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials, government documents and families of the victims." Iraq, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Committee formed to defend Saddam Hussein
  It is expected that an international committee in defense of the rights of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein will be announced today under the auspices of four former officials from Algeria, France, Malaysia and the USA. Iraq, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Barazani takes oath as president for Iraq's Kurdistan
  In political developments in Iraq, the Kurdistani Democratic Party leader Masoud al-Barazani took his constitutional oath as a president for Iraq's Kurdistan region for four years after his alley Jalal al-Talibani was elected as a president for Iraq. Iraq, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Al-Qaida warns against talks with the government
  The number of American soldiers killed during the 24 hours in Iraq increased to three. This was made by an announcement by the American army that one of its soldiers was killed today by a missile when one bus in Baghdad was running by. The attacks also resulted in injuring two coalition forces soldiers. Iraq, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Pentagon: Iraqi insurgence has not weakened
  The US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and a Pentagon official said yesterday that the Iraqi insurgency is holding steady in its power over the security situation in the country. The Pentagon official said “ I would not chase the spikes and dips in the security situation. If you draw a straight line through the middle of that, it's fairly constant. That's not good or bad, it's fact.” Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Sudan: UN mission chief heads for West Darfur on fact-finding trip
  The chief of the United Nations mission in Sudan yesterday headed for West Darfur to join a team scheduled to start work today on assessing how far Khartoum has gone in fulfilling its pledges to the Security Council to restore peace in the area. Sudan-UN, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Syria urges EU to aid removing blocks in relations
  In a meeting with a European Parliamentary Delegation headed by Beatrice Patrie, President Bashar al-Assad asserted the importance of a constructive dialogue to form a clear vision of the situation and to specify priorities of the development process in Syria. Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Rafsanjani stresses American failure to control energy resources in the region
  Head of the Expediency Council in Iran, Hashemi Rafsanjani, said the U.S. entered the region to control resources of energy but failed to materialize its objectives. Iran-USA, Politics, 6/15/2005
• UN reform should be factor of rapprochement, not division, Moroccan FM
  The Moroccan official deemed that the three top priorities, namely peace and security, development, and human right necessitate the reinforcement of the United Nations in order to make them the main gear of the ambitious program of reforms. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Abul-Gheit: Development in Africa important for fighting terrorism
  Abul-Gheit explained that fighting poverty and unemployment, prevention of wars and hostilities and combating endemic diseases were all issues that should be addressed to uproot terrorism and organized crime. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/15/2005
• UN chief to appoint 'very soon' special representative to Sahara
  United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said, in Paris Tuesday, he would "very soon" appoint a Special Representative for the Sahara, in another attempt to find a solution to the dispute opposing Morocco to the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario." Morocco-UN, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Rumsfeld address criticism on US detention centers
  Rumsfeld said "The problem is that, to a large extent, we are in unexplored territory with this unconventional and complex struggle against extremism. Traditional doctrines covering criminals and military prisoners do not apply well enough." Regional-USA, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Sorour receives British minister of state
  He also asserted that Egypt was passing through the critical stage in its history towards deepening the democratic regime. Egypt-UK, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Kuwaiti parliamentarians sign petition against appointing woman minister
  Ten Kuwaiti Islamists parliamentarians signed a petition of protest against appointing a woman in the post of Minister in the current government. Kuwait, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Immigration requires comprehensive approach, Dutch official
  The complex nature of immigration requires a comprehensive approach, affirmed, Monday, visiting Dutch Minister of Immigration and Integration, Rita Verdonk at a meeting with officials in the Moroccan Interior Ministry. Morocco-Netherlands, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Sfeir calls for best relations with Syria Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Egypt: Rice's visit to be successful Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Dardari appointed peputy premier for economic affairs Syria, Politics, 6/15/2005
• Al-Raya: Lahoud: Syria is natural extension of Lebanon Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Berri and the Lebanese elections Lebanon, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Mubarak receives Saudi FM today Egypt-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Aoun achieves victories in the Mount area, looks forward to the north
  The trend led by the former leader of the Lebanese army, Michael Aoun, emerged as the most important Christian political force in the country. This was revealed after the results of the third phase of the parliamentary elections which took place on Sunday in the Mount of Lebanon and the Bekaa areas. Lebanon, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Aoun aspires to expand his victories to the north
  After winning the elections in the Aley-Keserwan circle, former leader of the Lebanese army Michael Aoun visited the Lebanese parliamentarian Suleiman Franjieh who leads in one circle in north Lebanon the rival list for Saad al-Hariri, son of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Lebanon, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Final statement of the 10th Congress of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party
  The 10th Congress of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party Concluded four-day Meetings on June 9th and issued a final statement, stressing determination to continue the process of development and reforms in Syria as well as widening the scope of public participation in the political life and revision of constitution articles in line with the decisions adopted by the Congress. Syria, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Islamist party says Islamist activist anti-monarchy statements are 'unacceptable'
  The moderate Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD) has denounced as "unacceptable" the statements of the Islamist activist Nadia Yassine who stated recently that "monarchy is not suitable for Morocco." Morocco, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Chirac, Mubarak discuss developments in Lebanon, Syria Egypt-France, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Washington satisfied with the Lebanese elections
  In the first foreign reaction to the Lebanese elections, the US expressed satisfaction over these results. The spokesman for the White House Scott McClellan said in general, people consider that the elections are organized in a good way with observers. Lebanon-USA, Politics, 6/14/2005
• On Saudi Arabia's collaboration with Atomic Energy
  Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia is considered one of the major countries in the Middle East and that it has only one program for nuclear research and does not constitute a danger for the dissemination of nuclear weapons, there are fears that Riyadh will choose if a crisis erupts in the region, to buy technology that allows the production of a nuclear bomb Saudi Arabia-UN, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Somali government starts its return from exile
  The Somali government started on Monday the trip of return back to the country after its formation in Kenya nine months ago. This was at a time in which the African Union's peace keeping forces are preparing to be deployed there in order to restore back security. Somalia, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Sino-Arab forum to discuss regional issues Regional-China, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Khartoum and Darfur study proposals of the African mediation
  Chief negotiator of the Sudanese side Majzoub al-Khaleifa said that the Khartoum delegation will meet later to consider the declaration of principles which states considering the unity of Sudan as a "sublime untouchable question." Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Rice will travel to Middle East, to Iraq conference in belgium Regional-USA, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Saddam Hussein questioned in court
  In a statement, an Iraqi specialized criminal court explained that the questioning with toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein which took place on Sunday falls in the course of completing investigations carried out by the investigation juries with President Hussein and several members of his regime over several accusations. Iraq, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Sudan's human traficking report
  Sudan is a source country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation. Sudanese boys are trafficked to the Middle East Sudan, Politics, 6/14/2005
• New Central African president satisfied over bilateral relations with Morocco Morocco-Central African Republic, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Washington Post: US government is exaggerating terrorism cases
  A report by the Washington Post reveals that the US government has exaggerated the number of convictions that have been related to terrorism inside the United States, by including cases that have nothing to do with terrorism. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/14/2005
• White House comments on Guantanamo detention center
  are the interrogation techniques described in the Time Magazine article acceptable because of the high-value nature of the detainees questioned? Regional-USA, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Saudi king's health improving
  A high ranking Saudi official said that the health condition of the Saudi Arabian king Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz is improving, two weeks after being admitted to hospital. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Africa's debt cancellation, 'not enough by itself', Moroccan FM
  Although praiseworthy, the cancellation of the poorest African countries' debt is not enough by itself, deemed, in Doha Monday, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Regional, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Cairo negotiations between Khartoum NDA positive Sudan, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Damascus: al-Mamlouk succeeds al-Ikhtiar in presiding over general intelligence Syria, Politics, 6/14/2005
• La Gazette du Maroc: There would not have been any Polisario without Algeria, researcher
  The Polisario Front, that is claiming the separation of Morocco's southern provinces (the Sahara), would have never seen light without Algeria, affirmed Algerian journalist and researcher Yahya Abou Zakaria. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Abu Zeid: Gov't supports Nile Basin cooperation
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak is keen on boosting cooperation between Egypt and other Nile Basin countries. Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Egyptian foreign minister and the Palestinian state
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit said the current stage in the history of the Palestinian issue is critical as there is an important chance represented by Arab and international unanimous agreement on the creation of a Palestinian independent state. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Arab League chief condemns Israel's settlement policy Regional-Israel, Politics, 6/14/2005
• Junblat admits defeat before Aoun in Mount Lebanon
  The Druze leader Walid Junblat admitted his defeat to Michael Aoun in the third round of legislative elections in the Christian circles of Mount Lebanon. He described that as a victory for extremism. Lebanon, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Notable turnout for the third phase of the Lebanese elections
  Ballot centers witnessed notable turnout in the Mount of Lebanon and the Bekaa areas by Lebanese voters immediately following the launch of voting operations in the third phase, before the last one of the parliamentary elections. Lebanon, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Kuwait appoints first female minister ever
  Kuwait has appointed the first female minister less than one month after giving woman the right to full political participation, as an important step in the democratic reform in the country. Kuwait, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Egyptian authorities release scores of Muslim Brothers members
  The Egyptian authorities released scores of members of the Muslim Brothers groups who were detained following demonstrations demanding reforms that took place by the beginning of the month. Egypt, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Qatar deprives 5,000 of their nationality
  Government officials said on Sunday that Qatar deprived some 5,000 persons of their Qatari nationality, most of them carry dual Qatari and Saudi nationalities. Qatar-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Lahoud clings to complete his presidential term of office in Lebanon
  In another development, the Lebanese president Emil Lahoud on Sunday while casting his vote in Baabdat at al-Matin circle renewed his cling to complete his presidential term of office until "the last moment." This was in reaction to the call to resign regularly called for by the opposition. Lebanon, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Tunisia denies freezing human rights institute, its chief complains harassment
  the chairman of the Institute, al-Tayeb al-Bakkoush, said that the activity of the Institute is actually frozen because of suspension of its finances since 16 months because of the terrorism fighting law Tunisia, Politics, 6/13/2005
• The Guardian: US official prevented investigation into Iraq WMDs
  The Guardian reported "A former Bolton deputy says the U.S. undersecretary of state felt Jose Bustani 'had to go,' particularly because the Brazilian was trying to send chemical weapons inspectors to Baghdad. That might have helped defuse the crisis over alleged Iraqi weapons and undermined a U.S. rationale for war." Regional-USA, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Mubarak's directives maintain social security system
  In accordance with President Hosni Mubarak's directives to the Premier, Ahmed Nazif, the Egyptian government will launch over the coming days a series of meetings for preparing the executive programs of the "third generation of economic reform." Egypt, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Syria: U.S. claims on Syrian intervention in Lebanon baseless
  A Syrian Foreign Ministry official source on Saturday described as "baseless" statements by some U.S. officials in the American administration on Syria's intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs through alleged presence of intelligence agents. Syria-USA, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Larsen meets al-Assad after accusations of Syrian security intelligence in Lebanon
  The envoy of the UN special secretary general to Lebanon, Terry Rod Larsen, held talks in Damascus with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. A statement by the office of the UN in Beirut said that Larsen discussed with al-Assad all issues pertaining to the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon. Syria-UN, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Saudi Arabia's human traficking report
  Saudi Arabia is a destination for men and women from South and East Asia and East Africa trafficked for the purpose of labor exploitation, and for children from Yemen, Afghanistan, and Africa trafficking for forced begging Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Sunni contacts to open channels with gunmen in Iraq
  At the time when the Iraqi ministry of the interior said that "operation lightening" was able to reduce the number of booby trapped car incidents in Baghdad from 12 explosions to 2 explosions daily, the former national security advisor in Iraq Muwafaq al-Rubei called for using the Sunni channels to open contacts with the gunmen. Iraq, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Jeune Aftrique: Sahara: Minister deems 'democratic solution' autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty
  The concept of autonomy under the Moroccan sovereignty and its territorial integrity is a "democratic solution (to the Moroccan Sahara conflict) in conformity with the international legality," said Morocco's Minister-Delegate of Foreign Affairs, Taib Fassi Fihri. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Moroccan expats stage demo in Spain to denounce 'manoeuvres' against Moroccan sahara
  Moroccan expatriates in several Spanish cities took to the streets Sunday to voice support to Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and to denounce "manoeuvres" aimed at misleading the Spanish and international public opinion with regard to the situation in the Southern provinces. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Al-Assad asks for materializing recommendations of the 10th regional congress of the BASP Syria, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Arab League secretary general criticizes US accusation against Syria Syria-USA, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Iran sees no progress in relations with Egypt Egypt-Iran, Politics, 6/13/2005
• China talks with Libya on UN Security Council reforms Libya-China, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Syrian-Saudi military relations revision Syria-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Abdullah, Chirac discuss regional developments Saudi Arabia-France, Politics, 6/13/2005
• Moussa ready to visit Iraq at any time when need arises Regional-Iraq, Politics, 6/13/2005

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