Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 6/27/2005

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of June 27, 2005

• Libya hosts 50 heads of state in the African Union summit
  With the participation of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and fifty African heads of state, the fifth summit of the African Union will start Monday in the Libyan city of Serte. Regional-Libya, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Sanyoura underlines necessity of boosting Syrian-Lebanese relations Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Sanyoura consultations to form government
  Sanyoura vowed to ensure the independence of the law, strengthen state's institutions and efficiency, fight waste and corruption, strengthen growth and development and facing the economic problem in the country. Lebanon, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Sudanese official highlights importance of relations with Egypt Sudan-Egypt, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Yemeni ambassador for Baghdad within days Yemen-Iraq, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Bashir - Garang talks over emergency
  The spokesman for the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, Yasser Araman, said that consultations will be held between President Omar al-Bashir and the leader of the movement John Garang after he will assume the post of the vice president next week, over lifting the emergency law in Darfur and East Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Differences threaten Sudanese coalition
  The secretariat of the Democratic National Coalition in Sudan deplored what it had said "the control of four members on the proceeding of matters in this coalition," in a step that threatens a split to occur in its lines led by the communist party. Sudan, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Mubarak receives message from UAE president Egypt-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Libya accuses Saudi Arabia of organizing opposition conference in London Libya-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 7/2/2005
• The Guardian: The US broke Italian law by kidnapping Egyptian cleric
  "Italy's relations with the US took a further blow yesterday when Silvio Berlusconi's conservative government said it was summoning the American ambassador in Rome to explain the disappearance of a radical Muslim cleric, who was snatched from a Milan street two years ago,: The UK's The Guardian reported yesterday. Egypt-USA, Politics, 7/2/2005
• 'This generation can make poverty history,' Annan says to Live 8
  United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today joined people across the world who are supporting the 'Live 8' concert events which advocate the adoption of anti-poverty measures by a summit of world leaders later this month. Regional, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Contacts between Americans and representatives for the gunmen in Iraq
  An American official said that the American embassy in Iraq made contacts with the representatives of gunmen but have not met with rebels directly. Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Iraq' ambassador accuses US Marines of intentionaly killing his cousin
  Iraq's ambassador at the UN, Samir al-Sumeidai, accused the American marine forces on Friday of killing his cousin deliberately during breaking into one house near al-Haditha town to the west of Iraq on June 25th. Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Four Polisario military officials in Tindouf rebel against Defense Minister
  Four Polisario military officials announced Friday their rebellion against Ould Al Bouhali, "defense Minister" of the Polisario Front self-proclaimed republic "SADR," reliable sources told MAP. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Algerian intelligence decides to supervise security in Tindouf camps
  Algerian intelligence services have decided to manage directly the security situation in the Polisario-controlled Tindouf camps (southern Algeria) following the uprisings that have recently sparked off in the camps, reliable sources told MAP. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Lebanese personalities condemn the Israeli aggression on Lebanon
  Israel exploits the ongoing parliamentary consultations to form a new Lebanese government to threaten and wage aggression against Lebanon, Lebanese Prime Minister designate Fouad Sanyoura said Friday. He vehemently condemned and rejected any attack, aggression, or any provocative behavior practiced by Israel against Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Moroccan expats in US protest against Algeria
  Moroccan expatriates in the United States staged Friday a sit-in before Algeria's embassy in Washington to denounce Algiers hostile stance towards Morocco in the Sahara issue. Morocco-USA, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Lahoud: Lebanon will meet its requirements Lebanon, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Lebanese Moslem scholars assembly condemns Israeli violations Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Lebanon calls for extending UNFIL forces in south lebanon
  "We asserted that Israel continued its aggression by land, airspace and sea on the Lebanese territories and Israeli warplanes dropped provocative paper clippings on the Lebanese lands which constitutes a violation of the Lebanese sovereignty," Hammoud added Lebanon-Israel-UN, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Moroccan Sahara: Cote d'Ivoire Moroccans urge for liberation of Tindouf detainees Morocco-Cote d'Ivoire, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Arab ambassadors in Paris meet Arab communities Regional-France, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Egypt on UN Security Council reforms Egypt-UN, Politics, 7/2/2005
• AU discusses Mubarak's initiative to set up center to treat AIDS Regional-Egypt, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Morocco does not welcome hostile persons, PM Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/2/2005
• Turabi released; criticizes freedom in Sudan
  Leader of the Sudanese opposition People's Congress, Hassan al-Turabi, strongly criticized the Interim constitution in Sudan which has been discussed by the parliament in preparations to adopting it and described it of being not concerned with "freedoms in the country." Sudan, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Lahoud appoints Sanyoura to form new government
  Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud held Israel responsible for escalating tension in south Lebanon yesterday. Lebanon, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Damascus criticizes US decision to freeze assets of Kanaan, Ghazaleh
  Syria on Thursday criticized the decision taken by the USA to freeze the assets of its minister of the interior Ghazi Kanaan, and Rustoum Ghazaleh, the former security and reconnaissance chairman to Lebanon, considering that this decision is an escalation against Syria and a diversion from the Israeli aggression against south Lebanon. Syria-USA, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Egyptian- Israeli gas agreement signed; Bin Aleazer: best indicator for solid peace
  Both Israel and Egypt on Thursday signed an agreement at a cost of $ 2.5 billion to sell Egyptian natural gas to Israel. This came following a ten year delay in a step which proves the improvement of relations between the two countries. Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Sheikh Sabah hopes Gulf women to take similar steps like Kuwaitis
  The Kuwaiti prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah has expressed his hope that the participation of women in the political life will enrich democracy and be an incentive for women in Kuwait and other Gulf states. Kuwait-Gulf, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Top Polisario official returns to Morocco
  Hammatti Rabbani, a top Polisario official, returned Thursday to Morocco, fleeing Tindouf camps that have been witnessing for a week now unprecedented protests despite the violent repression. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Morocco 'pioneer' in transitional justice and human rights, Algerian NGO
  An Algerian human rights NGO delegation said in Rabat Thursday the Moroccan experience in transitional justice and human rights is "pioneer." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Mubarak, French Defence Minister discusses ME issue, African developments, bilateral ties
  Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak received yesterday the French Minister of Defense Michele Alliot-Marie and her accompanying delegation, currently visiting Egypt. Egypt-France, Politics, 7/1/2005
• OIC countries call US to reconsider Syria Accountability Act
  Foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Countries OIC called on Thursday upon the United States of America to reconsider the so-called "Syria Accountability Act". Regional-Syria, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Three Iraqi armed organizations want Ayham al-Samerai dead
  Former Iraqi minister Ayam al-Samerai, who announced on Wednesday the formation of a political party representing the national resistance, received death threats from three armed organizations accusing him of disseminating lies about the Iraqi resistance. Iraq, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Spain underlines need for 'urgent' solution to Sahara issue
  Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, underlined in Madrid Thursday, the need for an "urgent" political solution to the Sahara issue and for reaching an accord within the framework of the United Nations. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Uprising in Tindouf camp to protest poor living conditions
  Inhabitants of Smara camp, located in the Polisario-controlled Tindouf (south-western Algeria), sparked off Wednesday an uprising to protest their poor living conditions, worsened by poverty and mistreatment, witnesses said. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Officials see better economy, security as keys to Gaza withdrawal
  "Palestinians must feel that the day after disengagement they have hope for increased prosperity and opportunity, not that they are living in a prison," Wolfensohn said Palestine-USA, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Following Hizbullah - Israel confrontations, UN Security Council calls for fovernment to impose authority
  The UN Security Council has called on the Lebanese government to impose full sovereignty on its lands and remove what it called the militias. This was expressed following confrontations at the border Shebaa Farms between Hizbullah and Israel. Lebanon-UN, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Weekly director gets one-year suspended sentence for defamation Morocco, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Compensations from Kuwait's invasion is $ 52.5 billion
  The UN announced on Thursday that the special compensations committee, stemmed from Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, ratified total final compensations which reached USD 52.5 billion of which some USD 19.2 billion have been so far paid. Iraq-Kuwait, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Sudanese coalition and participation in the authority Sudan, Politics, 7/1/2005
• African Union foreign ministers in Libya Libya-Regional, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Message from the Palestinian to Syrian president Syria-Palestine, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Syrian official source's statement on a US measure Syria-USA, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Lebanese Shiite clergy: Israel causes instability in the Middle East Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Hizbullah official source denies new confrontations with israeli forces in Shebaa forms Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/1/2005
• Washington warns Americans from travel to Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/1/2005
• New York Times: Blair admits authenticity of the Downing Street Memo
  British Prime Minister Tony Blair has finaly admitted the authenticity of the so-called "Downing Street Memos" in an interview with the Associated Press which also viewed the memo, the New York Times reported yesterday. Iraq-UK, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Civil society to be involved in human development initiative, Minister Morocco, Politics, 6/30/2005
• New political umbrella for the resistance in Iraq
  The former Iraqi minister of electricity Ayham al-Samerai' announced the formation of a new political entity under the name "the national council for the unity and building up of Iraq." This gathering includes representatives for the Iraqi resistance groups, civil society movements, as well as independent and tribal political figures. Iraq, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Moussa: Arab states ready for reforms Regional, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Damascus calls al-Atasi Forum to stop activities
  The Arab Human Rights Organization in Syria announced that the Syrian authorities asked "al-Atasi Forum" for national dialogue to stop its activities. Syria, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Jaafari is once again in Kuwait Kuwait-Iraq, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Syria and Qatar discuss situation in the region
  Syria and Qatar conferred on Wednesday the situation in the Arab area and international and regional developments. Syria-Qatar, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Mubarak to meet French Defence Minister Egypt-France, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Leaderships of ruling Sudanese party meets Turabi at his home arrest
  Three leaders of the ruling national party in Sudan met with the leader of the People's Congress, Hassan al-Turabi, in his home arrest residence in Kafouri suburb in Khartoum, in a step that indicates that his release has become near. Sudan, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Syria vows to maintain best of relations with Iraq
  "Syria is looking for the best of relations with brotherly Iraq in all fields," Deputy Foreign Minister said Wednesday pointing out that Syria has expressed readiness for security cooperation with Iraq saying "Iraq's stability is part of Syria's and the region's stability as well." Syria-Iraq, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Saudi Arabia protests a bridge linking between UAE, Qatar
  Saudi mass media said that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia will complain before Qatar and the United Arab Emirates over a project to build a bridge linking the two states on the ground it passes over its territorial waters. Saudi Arabia-Gulf, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Sherif: We are not launching reform from vacuum; our history is full of achievements
  Secretary General of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Safwat Al Sherif said Wednesday that Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak will sign a number of political laws next week, ahead of being issued with the aim of realizing greater democracy. Egypt, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Spain blocks al-Manar broadcast in Latin America Lebanon-Spain, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Algerian NGO delegation to visit IER Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/30/2005
• USCRI deplores Algeria's denial of freedom to Tindouf camps detainees
  The Washington-based US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) has deplored that the Moroccans sequestered by the "Polisario" in Tindouf camps, southern Algeria, are denied the freedom of movement. Algeria-USA, Politics, 6/30/2005
• International Criminal Court finds 'credible' information on grave crimes in Darfur
  There is a "significant amount of credible information" to show that grave crimes have taken place in Sudan's Darfur region, and every effort will be made to identify those who bear the greatest responsibility, the chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) told the United Nations Security Council yesterday. Sudan-UN, Politics, 6/30/2005
• King Fahd is in a stable health condition Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Syria urges effective role for OIC
  Syria's Deputy FM Walied al-Mua'llem stressed, in his speech before the Organization of the Islamic Conference Foreign Ministers Meeting in the Yemeni Capital of Sana'a, the importance of realizing, during the conference, a joint perception related to reform of the United Nations as well as expanding the Security Council's membership. Syria-Regional, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Spanish FM recognizes Morocco let media in Sahara
  "We should be fair towards Morocco and admit that the Moroccan authorities let international media in the Sahara (Morocco's southern provinces), and allowed them to carry out their job freely," affirmed, Wednesday, the Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/30/2005
• NGO calls for probe into death of young Sahrawi
  An NGO defending the populations sequestered in the Polisario-controlled Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria) has called for conducting a probe into the murder of a young Sahrawi who died under torture. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Europe's and America's Moroccans mobilize for Sahara issue
  The Moroccan community living in Italy will stage, Thursday, a demonstration in Rome to denounce Algeria's stance against Morocco's territorial integrity, and call for the liberation of the Moroccans sequestered in the Polisario-controlled Tindouf camps, southwestern Algeria. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Egypt, Turkey start political consultations in Ankara Egypt-Turkey, Politics, 6/30/2005
• Nabih Berri reelected speaker of Lebanese parliament
  Nabih Berri, the chairman of the Shiite Amal movement which supports Syria, on Tuesday won the leadership of the Lebanese parliament for four years. This was for the fourth running times. Lebanon, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Berri's aims for measured results in an effective parliament
  Berri suggested to hold weekly sittings to supervise the cabinet performance, asserting the importance of combating corruption Lebanon, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Lebanon permits Palestinians to work; Abbas thanks Lahoud, Miqati
  Minister Hamadeh said that "Israel was the one who expelled the Palestinians. They are now in our country, accepting it or not, depriving them from work is a violation of human rights." Lebanon-Palestine, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Court postpones case of Islamist activist Nadia Yassine
  The court of first instance of Rabat decided, Tuesday, to postpone the case of Islamist activist Nadia Yassine on request of the defense. Morocco, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Al-Assad calls governors to reform
  Al-Assad called on the governors to set a work plan within a specific deadlines to achieve the aspired targets. Syria, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Darfur peace mediators to settle difference inside the rebel groups
  International mediators led by the organization of the African Union seek to settle differences between the rebel groups in Darfur, in the west of Sudan. Differences they fear to undermine the peace efforts and obstruct reaching an agreement between the government of Khartoum and the rebels. Sudan, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Bush rules out setting deadline in Iraq
  US President George W. Bush addressing the nation yesterday said the United States policy in Iraq will continue and that the US will not flinch from fighting terrorism in Iraq saying "when the Middle East grows in democracy and prosperity and hope, the terrorists will lose." Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Abul-Gheit to Le Figaro: Egypt rejects imposition of foreign ideas
  "Egypt rejects the imposition of any foreign ideas on it and has set the target of organizing fair and transparent presidential elections," Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul -Gheit said. Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Youth gather in Laayoune to share development ideas and expertise
  The second International Forum of the Youth and Peace opened, in Laayoune Tuesday, to discuss means to foster development objectives. Morocco, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Saudi Arabia announces a new list of 36 wanted Islamists
  Riyadh has announced a new list for Islamists wanted for links to what is called terrorism, including more than 36 wanted persons. Saudi Arabia, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Intifadah in 'Polisario' Aousserd camp unveils inhabitants 'enough is enough' sentiment
  An "enough is enough" Intifadah shook this past Saturday the separatist "Polisario" Aousserd camp in Tindouf, South-West Algeria, staged by the camps' inhabitants who challenged the diktat of their so-called leaders and denounced the dreary conditions they are forced to live in, witnesses of the upheaval told the Moroccan News Agency MAP on Tuesday. Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Court condemns persons involved in Laayoune incidents up to 20 years in jail
  Laayoune Appellate court condemned, here Tuesday, three individuals involved in vandalism acts in the city of Laaoyune (South) to sentences up to 20 years in prison. Morocco, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Bahrain: a demonstration against publishing Khamena's caricature
  Some 400 Bahraini demonstrated on Monday in front of the headquarters of the Bahraini daily al-Ayam in al-Jafeer area, to the east of the capital Manama, in protest of a caricature published by the paper two days earlier targeting the spiritual guide of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatullah Ali Khamena. Bahrain-Iran, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Saad al-Hariri removes himself from consideration for prime minister Lebanon, Politics, 6/29/2005
• Libyan opposition rejects foreign military support to topple Qathafi
  Some 300 Libyan opposition figures stressed rejection to return back on the deck of an American tank to Tripoli to achieve its objectives of toppling the regime of the Libyan President Muammar al-Qathafi, as a first step to establish "rule of law" Libya. Libya, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Syrian delegation is in Baghdad today
  the Syrian-Iraqi joint cooperation and coordination to control the borders between the two states had achieved good results during the last period, Former Iraqi Premier Iyad Allawi said Monday, denying existence of any discords between Syria and Iraq. Syria-Iraq, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Lahoud: Enemies of Lebanon behind acts of assassination
  "Lebanon, during the last months, has witnessed difficult and hard events that can bring it back to crucial times and hurt all national and pan-Arab achievements," President Lahoud added Lebanon, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Mubarak, Allawi discuss regional developments
  "There are infiltrators," Allawi said, "but that does not necessarily mean that they are supported by the Syrian government. [The infiltrators] are misusing Syria's hospitality and cross into Iraq." Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 6/28/2005
• World Tribunal On Iraq calls for investigation of those responsible for crimes against humanity
  The World Tribunal On Iraq on Monday condemned each of the US, Britain and the coalition forces over the incidents taking place in Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Senator Biden: The US is facing a serious crisis in Iraq
  Biden: The fact of the matter is that, as I've said from the outset, no foreign policy can be sustained without the informed consent of the American people. And there has not been informed consent Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/28/2005
• US contradictory statements on negotiations with gunmen in Iraq; Blair supports negotiations
  Statements by US military officials over negotiations with armed groups in Iraq were contradictory, at a time when the scale of confrontations on the ground was escalating and gunmen intensified their attacks. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/28/2005
• US military view on current situation in Iraq
  GEN. CASEY: The most significant thing that I need to see in the next year is the progress of this political process in Iraq. That will do more than anything we will do militarily to draw people away from the insurgency. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Fire opened at an Israeli military unit in the Golan
  Israeli military sources said that one Israeli military unit was exposed to fire in the occupied Syrian Golan heights, but no casualties were reported. Syria-Israel, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Sudanese daily on so-called 'SADR' entity
  The self-proclaimed 'Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic' (SADR) does not have any of the internationally recognised components of a sovereign state, said on Monday Sudanese daily "Arrai al Aam." Sudan-Morocco, Politics, 6/28/2005
• 43 Muslim countries to discuss problems and to reform their organization
  Foreign ministers in the countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference OIC are to discuss in their meeting which start its works in Sanaa today, the armed conflicts taking place in many Islamic states and the mechanism of reforming the organization. The conference will be held with the participation of 43 Muslim states. Regional, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Mubarak receives Indonesian FM
  He expressed his country's thanks and appreciation for Egypt for hosting around 4.000 Indonesian students. Egypt-Indonesia, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Sudan complains to UN security council against Eritrea
  The Sudanese official news agency said on Tuesday that Khartoum will file a complaint to the UN Security Council against Eritrea accusing it of destabilizing the situation in Sudan. Sudan-Eritrea, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Saudi sources deny resignation of Prince Bandar
  Saudi Arabian officials announced on Monday that Prince Bander Bin Sultan, the Saudi ambassador to the US, remains in his post and will return back to work by the end of August. This was in reaction to reports that talked about his resignation. Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Assahra Al Maghribia: Algerian stances thwart rapprochement with Morocco
  Observers of the latest developments of the Sahara issue "are astounded" by the recent Algerian stances "which are clearly opposite to the objectives of normalisation and rapprochement between the peoples" of Morocco and Algeria and to the energizing of the Arab Maghreb Union, said Ahmed Osman, President of the National Rally of Independents (RNI). Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Morocco, Botswana establish diplomatic relations Morocco-Botswana, Politics, 6/28/2005
• King Mohammed receives Pakistani FM Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 6/28/2005
• Syrian court acquittal of Naisseh
  The Syrian supreme security court on Sunday dropped accusations addressed to the chairman of the defense committees for democracy and human rights in Syria, Aktham Naiseh, according to his lawyer Anwar al-Bunni. Syria, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Qatar settles two thirds of nationality withdrawal issues; to continue the process
  Qatar announced that it had settled one third of the status of persons whose nationalities were withdrawn from them, wether by giving them the Qatari nationality or allowing them to keep their original nationality. Qatar, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Sudan: al-Bashir received the draft of the interim constitution
  The Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on Sunday received the draft of the interim constitution from the chairman of the joint constitution commission for the government Abdullah Idris, in the presence of the joint commission chairman for the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), Abeel Aleir, and several commission's members and the chairman of the opposition national coalition delegation Ali Mahmou Hasanin. Sudan, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Sanyoura is Lebanon's new prime minister
  The expected scenario in Lebanon after the session of the parliament on Tuesday is a meeting between Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri and President Emil Lahoud who is expected to call for obligatory parliamentary elections before the end of next week. Lebanon, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Berri to be elected as speaker of the Lebanese parliament
  Te Lebanese parliament tomorrow Tuesday will elect Nabih Berri as its speaker for the fourth term of office, at a majority of more than 100 votes, after large blocs at the parliament announced support for his nomination. Lebanon, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Al-Assad, Mubarak discuss conditions in the region, Lebanon
  Abu al-Gheit said "the situation in Lebanon is crystallizing." He added that "elections took place ( in Lebanon). Election will be made for the speaker of a Parliament and the formation of a new government and therefore the final status will be settled ultimately. Syria-Egypt, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Expected government reshuffle in Jordan
  It is expected that the Jordanian prime minister Adnan Badran will introduce a reshuffle of his government in order to ensure it getting the needed confidence of the parliament two months after its formation. Jordan, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Algeria expels four Moroccan journalists
  The Moroccan Press Union (French acronym SNPM) denounced the "sequestration," on Saturday, of four Moroccan journalists in Algiers' Houari Boumediene airport, describing it as a "dangerous aggravation." Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Libyan opposition conference wants Qathafi out
  Some 300 Libyan opposition figures concluded on Sunday a conference in London on Saturday to discuss means of remove the Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi from authority. Libya, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Spanish delegation barred from Laayoune
  Moroccan authorities barred Sunday eight members of a Spanish association of Andalusia from entering the southern Moroccan city of Laayoune. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Iran new president: Israel biggest threat to peace; will proceed with nuclear energy development
  "Israel is the biggest threat to peace and security in the Middle East," Iran's President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday, adding that "it is the reason behind the unstable situation due to its brutal crimes and daily killings against Palestinians." Iran-Israel, Politics, 6/27/2005
• US government jailed scores of Muslims without charge: Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties
  "Operating behind a wall of secrecy, the U.S. Department of Justice thrust scores of Muslim men living in the United States into a Kafkaesque world of indefinite detention without charge and baseless accusations of terrorist links, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union said" in a report released today. Regional-USA, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Bush calls freedom from torture 'inalienable human right'
  In remarks commemorating United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture June 26, President Bush says freedom from torture is "an inalienable human right." Regional-USA, Politics, 6/27/2005
• UNHRC report questions Algerian number of Tindouf camps populations Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Rabat deplores Kenya's recognition of 'Sahrawi Republic', recalls its ambassador in Nairobi
  The Moroccan Government has decided to recall its Ambassador in Nairobi for consultations following the Kenyan authorities decision to recognize the self proclaimed "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic." Morocco-Kenya, Politics, 6/27/2005
• CNN: Lahoud: Syrian troops completely back home
  The Syrian troops returned completely back home, and there are no Syrian troops in Lebanon now President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon said Sunday on CNN. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Sunday Times: US secret talks with leaders of armed groups in Iraq
  Press reports issued on Sunday said that American officials held a series of secret talks with leaderships for the armed groups in Iraq. Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Jordan bans novel written by Saddam Hussein
  Jordan has banned the printing and publication of a novel said to be written by the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in order to avoid trouble in its relations with Iraq. Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Demonstrations in Europe denounce Algerian interference in Moroccan affairs
  Moroccan expatriates denounced last weekend in Northern Germany and Belgium the Algerian interference in Morocco's domestic affairs and called for the release of Moroccans detained in Southern Algeria. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Israel is a big threat to the region: Asefi Iran-Israel, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Nazif receives former Iraqi premier Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Amr Moussa: Iraq needs Arab presence Regional-Iraq, Politics, 6/27/2005
• Adly receives Indonesian FM Egypt-Indonesia, Politics, 6/27/2005

Previous Week · Politics · Business and Economics · Local · Algeria · Bahrain · Comoros · Djibouti · Egypt · Iraq · Jordan · Kuwait · Lebanon · Libya · Mauritania · Morocco · Oman · Palestine · Qatar · Syria · Saudi Arabia · Somalia · Sudan · Tunisia · United Arab Emirates · Yemen