UAE expresses support to Lebanon to resolve Presidential crisis
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nuhayyan expressed, in a phone call with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora Friday, full support to a plan approved by Arab countries to resolve the presidential crisis in Lebanon.
Siniora received a phone call from Sheikh Khalifa and the latter affirmed the support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to overcome all problems, a statement by the Prime Minister's office said.
Sheikh Khalifa expressed "the readiness of the UAE to help Lebanon in whatever it needs," said the statement.
Kuwait urges US to free its Guantanamo prisoners
By KUNA
Kuwait : A committee of families of Kuwaiti prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay on Friday called on the US to release remaining four Kuwaiti detainees at the detention facility in Cuba.
The Kuwaiti call came shortly after US President George W. Bush arrived here earlier in the day for a two-day state visit to Kuwait.
" ... We have remained faithful as an ally to the US and as a friend to the American people," said Khalid Al Oda, head of the Kuwaiti Family Committee and father of detainee Fawzi Al-Oda.
Banned outfits held responsible for suicide attacks in Pakistan
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : The Pakistani Interior Ministry Spokesman Brig ® Javed Iqbal Cheema Friday said that banned outfits and extremist elements are behind terrorist and suicide attacks in the country.
Expressing deep sorrow over killing of 22 persons and police officials in a suicide attack in Lahore, he said, “extremist groups, lose groups, tribal miscreants, banned Jehadi groups and anti-state elements may be involved in these attacks in the country.”
Iraq under cold front bringing snow and below zero temperatures
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Snow fell on large areas of Iraq following two days of low temperature.
Dr. Daoud Shaker, head of the Iraqi weather bureau told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) snow fell in Baghdad during two hours in the morning on Friday after coming under the effect of two pressure systems, one cold originating from Siberia and the other warm coming from the sea.
Iraqi official says Al-Qaeda in Iraq is penetrated, has become an open book
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Interior Ministry announced Friday that al-Qaeda in Iraq has been successfully penetrated by means of a recently formed government security apparatus and is virtually an "open book," confirming that the sectarian sedition in the country was at the end of its rope.
France, UAE to sign nuclear energy agreement
By NNN-KUNA
Paris, France : France and the UAE are expected to sign a four-billion-euro agreement to provide the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the potential to develop civil nuclear energy, French diplomatic sources said Friday.
The agreement should be signed during a visit to the UAE by French President Nicolas Sarkozy on January 15, the sources, speaking on condition of anomymity, told reporters in a briefing.
France will provide the know-how and expertise to develop the civil nuclear energy project in the UAE, said the sources.
Bush to ‘seriously’ look into return of Kuwaiti in GITMO – Kuwait FM
By NNN-KUNA
Kuwait : US President George W. Bush has promised to "seriously" take into consideration Kuwait's request for the return of its four citizens held in Guantanamo prison, said Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on Friday.
Talibani seeks strengthening of Iraq’s relation with EU countries
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi president Jalal Talabani Friday underscored the need for Iraq to strengthen relations with EU countries at all levels in order to serve the common interests between the two sides and support the process of development and prosperity throughout the Middle East region.
IAEA chief to hold ‘important’ meetings with IRI leaders
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said Friday ties between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have entered a new stage. He also said ElBaradei will hold "important" meetings with Iranian leaders Saturday.
Aqazadeh who was addressing a joint press conference with the IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei, assessed his talks with Elbaradei as "good and comprehensive."
UK breaks silence over Israel’s fule cuts to Gaza
By NNN-IRNA
London, UK : The British government Friday finally broke its silence over Israel's reduction of fuel supplies to Palestinians living in Gaza.
"The resulting power cuts had left vital infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, water and sewage systems, as well as households, reliant on backup generators," Foreign Secretary David Miliband and International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said.
"This further aggravated the already difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza," the two cabinet ministers said in a written joint statement.
Iran nuclear case atmosphere positive – El-Baradei
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : UN nuclear watchdog chief, Mohamed ElBaradei here Friday described the current atmosphere over Iran nuclear case positive.
He said this will leave a positive impact on the Middle East on the whole.
He made the remarks in a joint press conference with Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Reza Aqazadeh.
He said during talks with Aqazadeh he called for better transparency on behalf of Iran.
ElBaradei characterized their talks as a "frank and open exchange of views."
Syria, Libya boost cooperation
By NNN-SANA
Damascus : General Assemblies of Arab Union Reinsurance Company and Arab Federal Institution for Agricultural Development discussed here on Friday reality of the work in the company and institution and their final budgets for the years 2005 and 2006.
Bush to wrap up three-day visit to Israel, Palestinian territories
By NNN-KUNA
Gaza : US President George W. Bush wraps up later Friday a three-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
During his visit, Bush urged the Israelis and the Palestinians to work hard on concluding a peace agreement during the approximate one year left for him at the White House.
Bush also stressed that "there should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967." Before leaving Israel to carry on with his tour in the region, Bush will visit Yad Vashem memorial on the Holocaust, Radio Israel said.
Syrian PM holds discussion with Turkish, Iraqi Minister on joint cooperation
By NNN-SANA
Damascus : Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Ottri has held discussions with Turkish Minister of Environment and Forestry Professor Vesil Oglu and Iraqi Minister of Water Resources Abdullatif Jamal Rashid on cooperation among the three countries and means of further developing them for their best interests.
PKK rebel surrenders, another captured in Turkey
By Xinhua
Ankara : A member of the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) surrendered to the Turkish security forces while another was captured in southeastern Turkey, a Turkish military statement said on Friday.
The statement posted on the Turkish Chief of General Staff's website said that one PKK militant surrendered in the southeastern province of Batman on Thursday, while Turkey's security forces detained the other one in another southeastern province of Hakkari on Wednesday.
Syria says committed to AL plan on Lebanon
By Xinhua
Damascus : Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad on Friday reasserted his country's commitment to the statement issued by the Arab foreign ministers in their last meeting over solution to Lebanon's political crisis.
Mekdad made the remarks while meeting with visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Svein Sevje, also the Norwegian Special Envoy for the Middle East affairs, the official SANA news agency reported.
Bush arrives in Kuwait
By Xinhua
Kuwait City : U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Kuwait on Friday to start his two-day visit to the country.
Bush flew to the oil-rich country after wrapping up his first official visit to Israel and the Palestinian lands as the U.S. president.
He is on the first stop of his four-nation tour of oil-rich Gulf Arab allies to rally Arab support for his Middle East policy.
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah was in the airport to receive the U.S. president.
Kurdish source: Turkish artillery shells N Iraq
By Xinhua
Mosul, Iraq : Turkish artillery pounded Iraqi areas near the border in Duhuk province on Friday morning without causing casualties, said a source from the Kurdish border guards.
"The Turkish artillery shelled the villages of Shiefa and Zally, about three kilometers away from the Iraqi-Turkish border at about 7:00 a.m. (0400 GMT)," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The two-hour bombing caused no casualties as the villages were deserted, the source said.
Pakistan tightens security ahead of elections
By Xinhua
Lahore, Pakistan : Police and security forces were obviously on high alert in Pakistan's major cities on Friday, the first day of the sensitive month of Muharram on Islamic calendar and just one day after a deadly suicide attack in the eastern city of Lahore.
Several police officers were guarding outside the fence on the Mall Road in front of the High Court, the site of Thursday's suicide attack in the downtown area that killed about 20, mostly police officers on duty maintaining order at the gathering of some judges in a protest.
IAEA chief calls on Iran to be more transparent over nuclear activities
By Xinhua
Tehran : Visiting UN atomic agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei on Friday urged Tehran to be more transparent over its disputed nuclear program, after talks with an Iranian senior nuclear official in Tehran.
"We made good progress in our negotiation...and in the talks with Mr. (Gholam Reza) Aqazadeh we requested for more transparency so we could give necessary guarantees to Iran," ElBaradei was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency at a press conference after his meeting with Aqazadeh, head of Iran's atomic energy organization.
Lebanese presidential election postponed for 12th time
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese parliament speaker's office announced on Friday that a parliamentary session to elect Lebanon's president was postponed for the 12th time to Jan. 21.
The delay came a day after Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa held marathon talks with Lebanese leaders, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in an effort to promote "consensus" on an Arab initiative aimed at ending the ongoing presidential crisis.
‘Ruthless’ LTTE inspired Al Qaeda in Iraq, says FBI
By P.K. Balachandran, IANS
Colombo : The "ruthless tactics" of the Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers have inspired terrorist networks worldwide, including the Al Qaeda in Iraq, says the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Musharraf open to coalition government
By IANS
Washington : Even as pre-poll surveys in Pakistan suggest that no single party will get a majority in the parliamentary elections Feb 18, President Pervez Musharraf has indicated his party's willingness to work with others to form a government.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q), Musharraf's party, "does not rule out any coalition" after the vote, Pakistan's Ambassador to US, Mahmud Ali Durrani, is quoted as saying in The Washington Times Friday.
Blank bullets sent to Berlusconi with ‘Islamist death threat’
By DPA
Milan : An Italian newspaper said Friday it had received a letter containing two blank bullets and threats against former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, warning he faced a fate similar to slain Pakistani political leader Benazir Bhutto.
The letter - the bullets attached to it with adhesive tape - was posted to the Milanese daily Il Giornale, owned by Berlusconi's brother, Paolo, who also received "threats of an Islamic character" in the letter, the newspaper said.
Musharraf warns US against military action in Pakistan
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has warned that any intervention in his country by the US-led coalition forces fighting in Afghanistan would be treated as an invasion even as Washington termed as "completely outrageous and unfounded" suggestions it was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Benazir Bhutto.
"Any entry by the United States or coalition forces into Pakistan's tribal areas would be resisted as a breach of Pakistan's sovereignty," Musharraf told Singapore's English language daily The Straits Times in an interview published Friday.
Israel and Palestine – Bush’s cowboy ways
MOSCOW. (Political commentator Maria Appakova) - After the talks in Jerusalem and Ramallah, George W. Bush said that a peace agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis would be reached by the end of the year.
He was less optimistic on the settlement within Palestine - he is not sure that the head of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Mahmoud Abbas will be able to resolve this problem in the foreseeable future.
IAEA chief hails Iran’s openness, urges further assurances
TEHRAN, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said on Friday he was satisfied with progress in talks on Iran's nuclear program, but urged Tehran to clarify all remaining issues.
Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is in Tehran for talks with the country's leadership on Iran's controversial nuclear program.
Ex-Indonesian president Suharto slips into coma
JAKARTA, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Indonesia's former dictator Suharto is in coma, the detik.com news portal said on Friday citing doctors monitoring his condition over the past few days.
Doctors said Suharto's condition is critical, and he has suffered multiple organ failure.
President Suharto was deposed in May 1998 following widespread protests and street demonstrations. He had risen to power in a 1965 coup. His regime was widely criticized for corruption and major human rights abuses.
Kosovo will not declare independence before March 10 – paper
BELGRADE, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Kosovo will not declare unilateral independence before March 10, a Pristina-based newspaper said, citing sources in the Kosovo delegation negotiating the province's status.
The Express daily referred in particular to an agreement between Spain and other European Union states that Kosovo authorities would not proclaim independence until after parliamentary elections in Spain, due on March 9.
Lebanese presidential vote postponed until Jan. 21 amid political crisis
BEIRUT, Lebanon, January 11 , SPA -- Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Friday postponed a session to elect Lebanon's next president until Jan. 21 _ the 12th such delay since the
sharply divided legislature first tried to select a new head of state, according to AP.
The announcement came after Berri met with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, who has been holding talks with rival Lebanese factions since Wednesday on an Arab plan calling for the election of army commander, Gen.
Iraq under cold front bringing snow and below zero temperatures
BAGHDAD, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- Snow fell on large areas of Iraq following two days of low temperature.
Dr. Daoud Shaker, head of the Iraqi weather bureau told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) snow fell in Baghdad during two hours in the morning on Friday after coming under the effect of two pressure systems, one cold originating from Siberia and the other warm coming from the sea.
Iraqi official says al-Qaeda in Iraq is penetrated, has become an open book
BAGHDAD, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- The Interior Ministry announced Friday that al-Qaeda in Iraq has been successfully penetrated by means of a recently formed government security apparatus and is virtually an "open book," confirming that the sectarian sedition in the country was at the end of its rope.
Iraqi official says al-Qaeda in Iraq is penetrated, has become an open book
BAGHDAD, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- The Interior Ministry announced Friday that al-Qaeda in Iraq has been successfully penetrated by means of a recently formed government security apparatus and is virtually an "open book," confirming that the sectarian sedition in the country was at the end of its rope.
Bush to “seriously” look into return of Kuwaitis in Gitmo – Kuwait FM
KUWAIT, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- US President George W. Bush has promised to "seriously" take into consideration Kuwait's request for the return of its four citizens held in Guantanamo prison, said Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on Friday.
France, UAE to sign nuclear energy agreement – sources
PARIS, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- France and the UAE are expected to sign a four-billion-euro agreement to provide the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the potential to develop civil nuclear energy, French diplomatic sources said Friday.
The agreement should be signed during a visit to the UAE by French President Nicolas Sarkozy on January 15, the sources, speaking on condition of anomymity, told reporters in a briefing.
France will provide the know-how and expertise to develop the civil nuclear energy project in the UAE, said the sources.
Tehran calls for returning its nuclear file from UNSC to IAEA
TEHRAN, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- Member of the Iranian Council of Leadership Experts Ahmad Khatami on Friday called for returning his country's nuclear file from the UN Security Council to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Khatami, who made the call during a visit to Iran by IAEA head Mohammad Al-Baradei, said all reports pointed to the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities.
"Therefore, the Iranian nuclear file should return to the IAEA," Khatami said during a Friday sermon in one of the Iranian capital's mosques.
Indonesia’s Suharto suffers multiple organ failure: doctors
JAKARTA (AFP) - Indonesia's ex-dictator Suharto, who ruled the nation with an iron fist for more than three decades, was in a critical condition after suffering multiple organ failure, his doctors said Saturday.
But the condition of 86-year-old Suharto, who was forced from power a decade ago, appeared to have stabilised after he was hooked up to a ventilator and his vital signs were good, they said.
UK Government concerned over Gaza fuel cuts
LONDON, Jan 11 (APP)- The British Government on Friday expressed its deep concern over impact on Gaza of fuel cuts by Israel and demanded immediate lifting of these restrictions.
Berlin to probe report on ISAF’s use of Afghan children to find land mines
Berlin, Jan 11, IRNA ,Germany's Defense Ministry has pledged to conduct a "thorough" investigation after a former German ISAF officer alleged that soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have repeatedly used Afghan children to detect land mines in the war-rigged country.
Beate Spaethe told journalists in Berlin on Friday that all necessary measure would be undertaken to "thoroughly" probe the case.
France for application of UN resolutions in Mideast solution
PARIS, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- France said on Friday that it was in favour of the implementation of pertinent UN Security Council resolutions within the efforts to find a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, whom it urged to engage in dialogue towards peace.
Asked to respond to statements made Thursday on the resolutions by US President George W. Bush, a senior French official said that France still wanted the UN resolutions applied.
Saudi Arabia covered with snow in unusually coldest winter
By RIA Novosti
Abu Dhabi : Northern parts of Saudi Arabia were covered with snow with schools, mosques and administrative bodies shut down, local media reported Friday.
The oil-rich kingdom is experiencing sub-zero temperatures and snowstorms with freezing winds of up to 50 km per hour. In some regions water supply was disrupted as pipes burst. There were reports of livestock dying from cold.
Bush ends Israel, West Bank visit with hope for peace
By DPA
Jerusalem : US President George W. Bush wrapped up a three-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian areas with a tour of Christian holy sites near the northern Sea of Galilee.
Accompanied by Christian religious leaders, Bush - a devout, born-again Christian - visited Capernaum, the ruins of an ancient town believed to have been the home of some of Jesus' apostles and mentioned in the New Testament, as well as the Mount of Beatitudes, where tradition has it Jesus gave his notable Sermon on the Mount.
Iran highlights co-op with UN nuclear agency upon IAEA chief’s arrival
TEHRAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Mohammad Saeedi, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (IAEO), on Friday applauded its cooperation with the UN atomic watchdog as "entering a new phase".
The official IRNA news agency quoted Saeedi as saying that "Regarding Iran's active cooperation with the IAEA and settlement of basic and key issues on Iran's nuclear case, relations between Tehran and the agency have entered a new phase."
Iran highlights co-op with UN nuclear agency upon IAEA chief’s arrival
TEHRAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Mohammad Saeedi, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (IAEO), on Friday applauded its cooperation with the UN atomic watchdog as "entering a new phase".
The official IRNA news agency quoted Saeedi as saying that "Regarding Iran's active cooperation with the IAEA and settlement of basic and key issues on Iran's nuclear case, relations between Tehran and the agency have entered a new phase."
Indonesian ex-president Soeharto in very critical condition with multi-organ failure, unconscious
JAKARTA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The health of former Indonesian president Soeharto suddenly deteriorated Friday afternoon with multi-organ failure that made him difficult to breath and unconscious, doctors said here.
The head of presidential doctor team Mardjo Soebiandono told a joint press conference that doctors were struggling to help the condition of former strong man by using maximal drug and ventilator to help him breath.
"The consciousness decreases, the breath worsens and blood tension downs, (and) multi-organ failure," said Soebiandono.
IAEA Chief Mohammad ElBradei arrives in Tehran
Tehran, Jan 11, IRNA ,Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency Mohammad ElBradei arrived in Tehran early Friday heading a delegation and was welcomed by Vice President of Iran's Atomic Energy Agency Mohammad Saeedi at the International Emam Khomeini Airport.
Head of IAEA Safeguards Olli Heinonen and Chief of the Agency's Policy Making and Foreign Policy Vilmos Cserveny are accompanying ElBradei during the visit.
The visit takes place in response to an official invitation extended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Observers would be free to witness election process: EC
Islamabad, Jan 11 , IRNA ,International observers would be free to move anywhere in Pakistan to witness the electoral process, said Secretary Election Commission Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad on Friday.
"Election Commission would issue them Accreditation Cards enabling them to freely visit polling stations and view the voting process," he told a Press conference.
"They would be free to move. They can witness vote casting, polling stations and meet the Returning Officers," Dilshad said.
Up to 61 killed by heavy snow in Afghanistan
KABUL, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Heavy snow has claimed up to 61 lives in Afghanistan covering some regions of the country with over two meters of snow, national TV channels said on Friday.
Five days of incessant snow have cut off thousands of people living in isolated communities. People have also been killed in the mountainous country in avalanches and road accidents.
Late on Tuesday the country health officials called on health workers to remain on a state of alert, with 30,000 already sent to various Afghan provinces.
Turkish army shells Kurdish bases in northern Iraq
ANKARA, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Turkish artillery shelled Kurdish militant bases in northern Iraq on Friday, the country's NTV company said, citing sources in the Kurdish administration.
It was not immediately clear whether any casualties or material damage had been inflicted.
Kurdish sources denied however earlier reports that planes had bombed a number of areas in northern Iraq, but confirmed that Turkish warplanes had patrolled border areas.
There has been no reaction so far from the Turkish General Staff.
Bosnian police confiscate Karadzic family members’ passports
BELGRADE, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Bosnian police have seized passports belonging to family members of Radovan Karadzic, a former Bosnian Serb political leader wanted on genocide charges in The Hague.
The decision to confiscate the passports of Karadzic's wife Ljiljana Zelen-Karadzic, his son and daughter Aleksandar and Sonja Karadzic-Jovicevic and his son-in-law Branislav Jovicevic was taken on Thursday following suspicions that they had been aiding the war crimes suspect evade arrest.
Saudi Arabia covered with snow in coldest winter for 20 years
ABU DHABI, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Northern parts of Saudi Arabia are covered with snow with schools, mosques and administrative bodies paralyzed, local media reported Friday.
The oil-rich kingdom is being hit with subzero temperatures and snow storms with freezing winds of up to 50 km/h (30mp/h). Some regions have been experiencing problems with water supplies as pipes have frozen, and livestock has died from the cold.
Saudi Arabia covered with snow in coldest winter for 20 years
ABU DHABI, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Northern parts of Saudi Arabia are covered with snow with schools, mosques and administrative bodies paralyzed, local media reported Friday.
The oil-rich kingdom is being hit with subzero temperatures and snow storms with freezing winds of up to 50 km/h (30mp/h). Some regions have been experiencing problems with water supplies as pipes have frozen, and livestock has died from the cold.
Bush leaves Israel for Kuwait
GAZA, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- US President George W. Bush left Israel on Friday heading to Kuwait after a three-day visit.
Bush boarded his plane after an official ceremony at Ben Gurion international airport in the presence of a large number of officials.
Bush had wrapped up his visit to the Palestinian territories and Israel today with a meeting with envoy of the Quartet of international peace in the Middle East, Tony Blair.
President Bush also visited two sacred Christian sites in the Galilee region of northern Israel overlooking Lake Tiberias.
Observers would be free to witness election process in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- International observers would be free to move anywhere in Pakistan to witness the electoral process, said Secretary Election Commission (EC) Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad Friday.
"Election Commission would issue them Accreditation Cards enabling them to freely visit polling stations and view the voting process", he said while talking to state-run Associate Press of Pakistan (APP).
The Secretary said EC would issue the Accreditation Cards to as many observers as desire to come and witness this process.
Iran welcomes El Baradei visit
By IANS
Tehran : Iran Friday described the visit of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed El Baradei as an "important" phase of the country's peaceful nuclear programme, IRNA reported.
Head of National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Ala'eddin Boroujerdi welcomed El Baradei's visit as being helpful in settling the country's nuclear issue.
Blair voices his confidence in Israeli-Palestinian peace deal
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Mideast Quartet envoy Tony Blair has said that a deal would be possibly reached between Israel and the Palestinians before U.S. President George W. Bush leaves office in January 2009, Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported on its website on Friday.
"Sure, it is absolutely possible to have a peace deal by the end of the year if people want to make it happen," Blair was quoted as saying.
Egypt rules out permanent U.S. presence across Egypt-Gaza border
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit has ruled out a permanent U.S. presence on borders between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, the official MENA news agency reported on Friday.
The United States would sell advanced technical equipment to Egypt to detect tunnels along the Egyptian-Gaza border, Abul Gheit was quoted as saying.
However, the Egyptian foreign minister dismissed as groundless a permanent U.S. presence along the Egyptian-Gaza border area.
“Israel”s security” essential in any peace pact — Blair
By KUNA
Gaza : Any peace agreement that might be concluded between the Israelis and the Palestinian must "guarantee Israel's security," said Quartet Middle East Special Envoy Tony Blair, after a meeting with the US President in Jerusalem on Friday.
PRC claims responsibility of attacking Zikim
By KUNA
Gaza : Saladin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), claimed responsibility for firing a rocket Friday morning at the Israeli settlement of Zikim.
In a press release, the brigades said a "Nasser III" rocket was fired at the Israeli site that was built on Palestinian territories occupied in 1948.
"The Zionist enemy" admitted that the rocket hit a military site in Zikim, it added.
Turkish Army continues operation against PKK
By KUNA
Istanbul : The Turkish Army continued on Friday intense military operations against locations of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) in the province of Sirnak, southern Turkey.
Hurriyet newspaper, in its online edition, quoted a military source as saying a scouting plane was flying over the area in search of PKK operatives, suspected of being holed up there.
The army will continue its operations in the province, the source affirmed.
Meanwhile, Turkish Army Command said it arrested a PKK operative in the province of Mansia during a search operation.
Israeli military site hit with two Palestinian rockets
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinian groups announced they bombarded an Israeli Army site east of Gaza Friday morning.
Al-Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, and the National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said in a joint press release that they launched two rockets at Migen military site near Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza.
They said the attack was retaliation for the Israeli Army's crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Bush to wrap up three-day visit to Israel, Palestinian territories
By KUNA
Gaza : US President George W. Bush wraps up later Friday a three-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
During his visit, Bush urged the Israelis and the Palestinians to work hard on concluding a peace agreement during the approximate one year left for him at the White House.
Bush also stressed that "there should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967." Before leaving Israel to carry on with his tour in the region, Bush will visit Yad Vashem memorial on the Holocaust, Radio Israel said.
Israeli Army threatens to escalate military operations in Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : The Israeli Army threatened on Friday to continue its military operations against people in the Gaza Strip in response to the ongoing missile attacks at southern Israel, local radio reported.
An Israeli Army spokesman said, "Palestinian factions are continuing to launch missiles from the Strip, targeting southern Israel, and the Israeli Army cannot stand and do nothing about it." He reiterated the threat by saying that any party that contributed to such attacks would not escape the grip of the Israeli Army.
Palestinian rocket targets Israeli settlement
By KUNA
Gaza : A Palestinian rocket was fired Friday morning from northern Gaza at the Israeli settlement of Zikim, the Israeli Army said.
An army spokesman told Radio Israel that the rocket exploded near an agricultural area without causing any casualties or damage.
However, no Palestinian group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Meanwhile, Hamas's military wing, Ezzidin Al-Qassam Brigades, announced that it bombarded an Israeli military site north of Gaza Thursday night.
Israel attacks E. Gaza, destroys poultry farm
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli tanks shelled the eastern outskirts of Shujaiya district, eastern Gaza City, late Thursday night, according to Palestinian security sources on Friday.
"The shells fell by a group of civilians when were at a poultry farm, but they were able to flee and none were wounded," the sources told KUNA.
The farm was greatly damaged in the attack.
Japan to resume refueling mission near Afghanistan in February
By KUNA
Tokyo : Japan's parliament enacted Friday a legislation authorizing its Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) to resume refueling operations in the Indian Ocean, setting to resume logistical support for the US-led anti-terrorism campaign in and around Afghanistan as early as mid-February after a three-month hiatus.
Later in the day, Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to issue an order to the MSDF to prepare for the dispatch of ships to the region.
Russia attributes importance to relations with Muslim world – FM
By KUNA
Moscow : Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday the foreign policy of his country gave priority to the development of Russia's ties with the Muslim world.
He made the statement during his meeting with ambassadors of Arab and Muslim countries in Moscow on the occasion of the new "Hijri" Year (Islamic lunar calendar).
"The Russian foreign policy aims to establish new multi-polar world," the Russian chief diplomat said.
"Russia does not see any political or ideological differences with the Muslim countries.
US condemns bombing in Lahore, urges Pakistan to continue process of
By KUNA
Washington : The United States on Thursday condemned the bombing in Lahore that killed more than two dozen police officials, and urged the Pakistani government to continue to move forward with the democratic process.
The bombing shows that there continue to be individuals in Pakistan who are intent on subverting the political process and who have no interest in seeing the Pakistani people have an opportunity to develop a democratic system, said department deputy spokesman Tom Case during a briefing.
Lahore bombings cast another shadow on Australia’s Pakistan tour
By IANS
Sydney : Thursday's suicide bomb blast outside the Lahore High Court, which claimed 25 lives, has cast another shadow on Australia's cricket tour to Pakistan, scheduled in March.
The series was already under threat following the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Banazir Bhutto last month during an election rally at Rawalpindi. After the assassination, several Australian cricketers expressed fears about their security.
No agitation before or after parliamentary elections, says Musharraf
By SPA
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf says no agitation before or after the Feb 18 parliamentary elections would be permitted.
Dismissing allegations about rigging in the election as part of an unfortunate political culture of Pakistan, the president said there was a need to exhibit civilised behaviour.
But one should be very clear. We will not allow any agitation, before or after the election, he said at his weekly television programme Aiwan-e-Sadr-sey (from the presidential palace) Thursday night.
Various splinter groups are involved in suicide bombings, says interior minister
By SPA
Islamabad : Various splinter groups having sympathies with banned extremist organisations are involved in series of suicide bombings in Pakistan, Interior Ministry Spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema says.
Extremist elements want to destabilise Pakistan but their nefarious designs would be foiled at all costs, he told the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV).
Cheema said the law enforcement agencies are diligently working out a plan to eliminate terrorism from the country in 2008.
President Pervez Musharraf expresses sympathy with Maldives’ President
By SPA
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf has sympathised with Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom over an attempt on his life.
In a message, Musharraf said he and the people of Pakistan were deeply distressed to learn about the assassination attempt on Gayoom during a recent visit to an atoll.
He said he felt greatly relieved that he remained unharmed. He expressed his best wishes and prayed for Gayoom s long life, good health and happiness.
Death or life imprisonment for Cyber terrorism
By SPA
Islamabad : Cyber terrorism would be punished with death or life imprisonment and cyber stalkers would be sentenced to seven years imprisonment and/or a heavy under the just promulgated Cyber Crimes Ordinance, said Minister for Information Technology Dr. Abdullah Riar.
He said the law is a significant step in enforcing a secure ambiance for business and encouraging e-commerce in Pakistan.
Riar told the reporters that the ordinance outlined the knowledge about electronic crimes and illegal online intrusion to spread it among general public.
ISESCO urges Muslim countries to promote education, culture and sciences
By SPA
Rabat : Dr Abdulaziz al-Tuweijiri, the director general of Rabat-based Islamic, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), has urged the Muslim countries to double efforts for attaining further development in the educational, cultural and scientific domains.
In a message to the Muslim world on the occasion of the new Hegira year, Dr al-Tuweijiri underlined the importance of intensifying efforts for the promotion of education because education is an essential matter for attaining promotion in all other domains.
UN nuclear chief arrives in Iran for nuclear talks
By RIA Novosty
Tehran : The head of the UN nuclear watchdog arrived Friday in Tehran on a two-day visit to discuss Iran's controversial nuclear program.
Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will meet with high-ranking Iranian officials in an attempt to push for more details of Iran's past and present nuclear activities.
No leads in Gayoom attack case despite arrests
By P.K. Balachandran, IANS
Colombo : Despite taking four people into custody, police in the Maldives are hunting for clues about the larger conspiracy behind the attempt on the life of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom three days ago.
"All we can say now is that we have arrested four people and investigations are on," Maldivian police spokesperson Sgt Ahmed Shiyam told IANS over the phone from Male Friday.
Afghanistan govt asks WEP to help avert food shortage
By NNN-IRIN
Kabul : The Afghan government has asked the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to increase its food aid from the previously planned 180,000 to 215,000 metric tonnes (mt) in 2008, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL).
The request came after soaring food prices led to concerns about food shortages, particularly during the winter months when some remote locations become inaccessible due to heavy snowfall and flooding.
British Parliamentarians pay tributes to Benazir Bhutto
By NNN-APP
London : British Parliamentarians paid tributes to the assassinated former prime minister and chairperson, Pakistan People’s Party, Benazir Bhutto saying that her sacrifice for the cause of democracy must not go waste. They heaped praise on her at a memorial meeting held at the historic Moses Room of the House of Lords which was organised by the United International Community in UK under the patronage of Lord Nazir Ahmad and Shazada Hayat.
Chief Secretary Punjab tells details of Lahore incident
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Chief Secretary Punjab Sulman Siddique Thursday said that the blast at GPO choke Lahore was a suicide attack that claimed heavy casualties mainly of the police officials.
So far 21 deaths have been confirmed 19 out of which were the police official, he told PTV in an interview.
The number of injured is 44 out of which 5 are in serious condition and they are undergoing the surgery.
He said that instant rescue operation was made on the spot of incident and all the injured and dead have been shifted to various hospitals in the city.
President, PM condemn Lahore blast
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Lahore and expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the tragic loss of life.
The two leaders while reiterating their resolve to continue the fight against terrorism and extremism and not to be deterred by such acts.
Musharraf warns US against military action in Pakistan
By Xinhua
Singapore : Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has warned that any unilateral intervention in his country by coalition forces fighting in Afghanistan would be treated as an invasion.
"Any entry by the United States or coalition forces into Pakistan's tribal areas would be resisted as a breach of Pakistan's sovereignty," Musharraf told Singapore's English language daily The Straits Times in an interview published Friday.
US Defence Secretary, Iraqi Defence Minister discuss long-term US-Iraq security ties
By NNN-KUNA
Washington : US Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Iraqi Defence Minister Abd al-Qadir al-Mufriji have held discussions that continue to lay the foundation for a normalised long-term security relationship between Iraq and the United States.
Next Kuwait summit to discuss Arab strategy for communication technology
By NNN-KUNA
Cairo : The Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Communications and Information has announced that the Arab strategy for communication and information technology for building the Information Society 2007-2015 will be among the issues brought to the economic council prior to referring it to the next summit in Kuwait.
US Air strikes target 40 positions south of Baghdad
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : More than 40 targets have been hit by US air strikes destroying alleged Al-Qaeda safe havens in Arab Jabour, south of Baghdad, the US military said.
In a statement here Thursday, it said that 38 bombs were dropped within the first 10 minutes, with a total tonnage of 40,000 pounds.
The precision air strikes supported Operation Phantom Phoenix, the overarching operation that includes Operation Marne Thunderbolt, the statement added.
France confirms letter from Hamas PM to Sarkozy
By NNN-KUNA
Paris : France has confirmed that former Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has sent a letter to President Nicolas Sarkozy but officials here said this changed nothing with regards to the French position on Hamas.
The letter is believed to have arrived sometime last weekend and to have contained proposals from Haniyeh on how to end the stand-off between the international community and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and which ousted its rival Fatah organisation from power there last June.
Lebanon’s opposition has not refused Arab initiative – Arab League Sec-Gen
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : Ending the political crisis in Lebanon "does not need a miracle", Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said.
He said here Thursday that the Lebanese opposition did not "oppose" the Arab relevant initiative. "Efforts are intensified to get out of the current predicament, that does not need a miracle, especially a consensus candidate has already been agreed upon," Moussa told reporters following talks with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir.
Abbas-Bush talks decisive to push ahead peace efforts – spokesman
By NNN-KUNA
Gaza : The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Thursday highlighted the importance of the talks in Ramallah between President Mahmoud Abbas and US President George W. Bush for the Middle East peace process.
"The Palestinian side needs to see signals that what has been agreed upon in the Annapolis and Paris conferences is coming shape on the ground," Nabil Abu Redina told Voice of Palestine radio.
Obama says US needs to pull focus away from Iraq, back to Afghanistan
By NNN-KUNA
Washington : Senator Barack Obama, a leading Democratic U.S. presidential candidate, on Wednesday said Iraq must be sent a signal that the United States will not remain there forever, and that if elected president, he wants to put his focus on Afghanistan.
In a "Fox and Friends" interview the day after he narrowly lost the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary to former first lady and senator Hillary Clinton, Obama was asked about the success of the U.S. troop surge ordered into Iraq more than a year ago by President George W. Bush.
Kuwaiti, Canadian MPs share common values – Canadian Senate Speaker
By NNN-KUNA
Kuwait : Canadian parliamentarians share many of the values of their Kuwaiti counterparts, which makes it easy to discuss issues of foreign policy regarding this part of the world, said Canadian Senate Speaker Noel Kinsella on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of his visit to the country, the speaker said, "On a bilateral basis ... we are anxious to be guided by (our Kuwaiti counterparts) with regard to foreign policy in this part of the world."
Iran, Japan calls for expansion of mutual relations
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Tokyo Mohsen Talaie conferred on Wednesday with Japan's Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura on issues of mutual interests.
At the meeting, the two sides reviewed expansion of bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments.
The Japanese foreign minister described the two sides' relations as very deeply rooted and underlined that the two sides are determined to further bolster and broaden mutual ties.
Leading member of Fatah al-Islam arrested in N Lebanon
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese police stormed a house on Thursday in the northern city of Tripoli, arresting Nabil Rahim, a leading member of Fatah al-Islam which fought a three-month battle with Lebanese army last year, local Naharnet news website reported.
Rahim, a Lebanese citizen, was "the main coordinator between terrorist organizations inside and outside Lebanon," a police statement was quoted as saying.
Security officials said Rahim was detained along with his wife, adding the couple had been renting an apartment in the city's Abu Samra neighborhood.
Egyptian expert, media hold “wait and see” attitude over outcome of Bush Mideast visit
By Xinhua
Cairo : As U.S. President George W. Bush's Mideast tour entered its second day on Thursday, an Egyptian expert and media highlighted their suspicion over whether the tour is a real chance for peace.
Mohamed Ibrahim Shaker, Vice Chairman of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, was quoted by the official MENA news agency as saying on Thursday that he did not expect much from Bush's current tour.
He suggested applying a kind of "wait and see" attitude to the outcome of Bush's meeting with regional leaders.
Diplomat: Israel preserves all options against Iran
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel's ambassador to the United States, Sallai Meridor, claimed on Thursday that his country preserves all options against the threat of Iran's nuclear aspiration.
According to Meridor, both Israel and its U.S. ally share the same sight regarding the assessment of Iran's nuke issue during the visit by U.S. President George W. Bush.
"All options are on the table, not only in the future," Meridor said.
Iran: U.S. uses Hormuz incident to cover up Bush’s “failed” Mideast visit
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that the United States is using an incident between U.S. and Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz into cover up its President George W. Bush's "failed" visit to the Middle East.
"The U.S. administration needs to make hue and cry to achieve its political goals and cover up the failed visit of the U.S. president to the Middle East region," said IRGC Deputy Commander in charge of Naval Forces Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi.
Japan will again refuel vessels fighting in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Tokyo : Japan's parliament enacted a law Friday to resume refuelling support for foreign vessels participating in anti-terrorism operations in Afghanistan.
The bill was voted down by the opposition-controlled upper house in the morning, but cleared by the House of Representatives with a two-third-majority vote in the afternoon. The lower house passed the bill in November.
Human rights situation in Bangladesh unsatisfactory: Amnesty
By IANS
Dhaka : Amnesty International has termed the human rights situation in Bangladesh unsatisfactory and says that it sees "new patterns of manipulating due process" by the present government that is conducting an anti-corruption drive.
Secretary general of the international body, Irene Khan, has also held the government responsible for new examples of human rights violations and for not addressing the matter.
Bush calls for ‘end to occupation’ of Arab land
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : US President George W. Bush Thursday called for an end to Israel's occupation of Arab land since 1967, but failed to elaborate on his comments.
"There should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967," Bush told reporters here summarising his two days of talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
But he failed to say which parts of Arab land seized by Israel in 1967 should be returned.
European Muslims Charter born
BRUSSELS, Jan 10 (KUNA) -- Representatives of about 400 Islamic organizations in Europe signed an historic document here Thursday evening to enhance cooperation among Muslims in Europe and to correct the distorted image of Islam.
The "European Muslims' Charter" aims to define a number of principles in accordance with the common understanding of Islam within the European context.
Indonesia’s ailing Suharto still critical: doctor
JAKARTA (AFP) - Indonesia's ex-dictator Suharto was to undergo several medical tests on Thursday as the health of the 86-year-old remained critical, one of his doctors said.
Suharto, who held Indonesia in an iron grip for 32 years until he was forced to step down a decade ago, was admitted to hospital last week with anaemia and low blood pressure, as well as problems with his heart, kidneys and lungs.
He slid into critical condition, and has since improved and relapsed several times.
Pakistan’s survival lies in good ties with India: Zardari
By IANS
New Delhi : Asif Ali Zardari, husband of assassinated former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has said that the survival of Pakistan lay in having good relations with India.
"Therein lies the survival of Pakistan," Zardari told Tehelka newsmagazine in an interview to be published in their forthcoming edition.
Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty possible in 2008: Bush
By DPA
Ramallah : Admitting that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli premier Ehud Olmert faced some "tough choices," US President George W. Bush expressed optimism Thursday that the sides would be able to reach a peace deal by the year's end.
"I believe there will be a signed peace treaty by the time I leave office," he told a joint news conference with Abbas in Ramallah, after talks with the president and the Palestinian leadership.
Israel, Palestinians will sign treaty in 2008: Bush
By DPA
Ramallah : US President George W. Bush said Thursday he believed he would be able to "nudge" Israel and the Palestinians toward a joint peace deal this year.
"I believe there will be a signed peace treaty by the time I leave office," Bush told a joint news conference in Ramallah with President Mahmoud Abbas, on the first visit of an American president to the central West Bank city.
When asked what he intended to do to help, Bush answered, "Nudge the process forward," apply "pressure" and "be a pain if I need to be a pain."
Hadiths provide guidance too
By Amin Farzanefar
Bonn, Germany : In public discourse in the West, it is assumed that the Qur'an is the sole foundation of the Islamic faith, and other sources, which contribute to the diversity of the faith, are simply ignored. Marco Schöller, a scholar of Islam who has now translated the popular hadith collection of al-Nawawi into German, elaborates on this particular source in the following interview:
Mr. Schöller, what is a hadith?
After Bhutto
By John Esposito
The world will long remember Benazir Bhutto as a modern Muslim woman who served two terms as Pakistan's first woman prime minister: bright, attractive, articulate, talented, courageous, charismatic, an astute politician and political leader who called for a secular democratic Pakistan. Benazir was all of these, but – like her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and a number of other Pakistani political leaders – she also left a flawed political track record that both reflected and contributed to many of Pakistan's problems.
France confirms letter from Hamas PM to Sarkozy
By KUNA
Paris : France confirmed on Thursday that Former Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has sent a letter to President Nicolas Sarkozy but officials here said this changed nothing with regards to the French position on Hamas.
The letter is believed to have arrived sometime around last weekend and to have contained proposals from Haniyeh on how to end the stand-off between the international community and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and which ousted its rival Fatah organization from power there last June.
Parliamentary polls in Bangladesh before 2008-end: official
By KUNA
New Delhi : The military-backed caretaker government in Bangladesh has stressed that Parliamentary election would be conducted before 2008-end as per the roadmap declared earlier.
Chief Adviser to the caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed has said that the Bangladesh Election Commission was preparing to hold elections within the announced timeframe.
"There is no reason that the polls will not be held on time," United News of Bangladesh reported Thursday quoting Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades attack Israeli position with mortar fire
By KUNA
Gaza : Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement said on Thursday it bombed an Israeli military site with mortar fire.
The Brigades said in a statement that its fighters fired three mortar shells towards the zionist military Migen near Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip.
According to the statement, the attack was carried out despite the presence of intense enemy planes in the Gaza Strip's skies. The zionist artillery fired back at the location, adding that the fighters have returned to their bases unharmed.
Al-Qassam Brigades attacks several Israeli positions
By KUNA
Gaza : Izzidine Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement on Thursday claimed its responsibility for launching several armed attacks against several Israeli positions south of the Gaza Strip.
The Brigades said in a statement that one of its groups launched today 23 mortar shells towards a gathering of Israeli occupation forces' heavy vehicles stationed near Karam Abu Salem crossing east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Bungled suicide blast injures civilian in Afghanistan
By KUNA
Kabul : Only a civilian was injured in a botched up suicide attack in southern Afghanistan while six members of a family were killed as roof of their house collapsed due to heavy rains and snowfall in the eastern zone of the country on Thursday.
In the first incident, a suicide bomber blew up the explosives fastened to his body in Qalat, capital of the country's Zabul province, police officials and local said.
Lawyers across Pakistan hold protest demonstrations
By KUNA
Islamabad : The lawyers Thursday held demonstrations across Pakistan and boycott courts to protest suicide blast outside High Court building in eastern Lahore city and demanded independence of judiciary.
The protest demonstrations were held in Southern Karachi port city, Quetta, Peshawar and other small cities and towns.
Grand Mufti of Syria to address European Parliament
By KUNA
Brussels : The Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Bader Hassoun, will address a formal sitting of the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg on Tuesday in the context of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue was launched in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Tuesday by Slovene Prime Minister Janez Jana and European Parliament President and Hans-Gert Pottering.
Slovenia holds the current EU Presidency.
The aim of the Dialogue is to promote interaction between cultures and closer ties between nationalities and religions.
Palestinian president says he is satisfied at outcome of talks with Bush
By KUNA
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, emerging from a meeting with US President George W Bush at his headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Thursday, expressed satisfaction at outcome of the discussions.
Abbas expressed hope that the talks with the Americans and the Israelis would conclude with an end to the occupation and establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
US air strikes hit 40 targets south of Baghdad
By SPA
Baghdad : U.S. warplanes dropped 40,000 pounds of bombs on more than 40 targets on Baghdad's southern outskirts on Thursday in a major strike on al Qaeda targets, Reuters quoted the military as saying in a statement.
The U.S. Air Force dispatched two B-1 bombers and four F-16 fighter jets, aiming at three large target areas in Arab Jabour.
3K Marines may be Afghanistan bound
By SPA
Washington : The United States might send an additional 3,000 Marines to Afghanistan to reinforce the NATO force, UPI reported.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is expected to take up the request beginning Friday, Navytimes.com reported Wednesday. Gates' press secretary, Geoff Morrell, said the secretary is not expected to reach a decision hastily, the Web site reported.
Bomb in Pakistan’s Lahore kills at least 20
By Xinhua
Islamabad : A suicide bomb blasted in eastern Pakistan on Thursday, killing 20 people, mostly police officers, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported.
The blast occurred near Lahore High Court in Punjab province also wounded 57 others, mostly police officers, in the city's main commercial district, said the report, quoting a local police officer.
Islamabad : A suicide bomb blasted in eastern Pakistan on Thursday, killing 20 people, mostly police officers, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported.
The blast occurred near Lahore High Court in Punjab province also wounded 57 others, mostly police officers, in the city's main commercial district, said the report, quoting a local police officer.
Persian Gulf is authenticated internationally, UK daily reminded
By IRNA
London : The Iranian Embassy in London has reminded a leading British daily that Persian Gulf is authenticated internationally and not a mere colloquial name for the strategic waterway.
In an article on Monday, the Times newspaper explicitly suggested that the name of the waterway was only known in Iran as the Persian Gulf.
"The fact is that Iran is not the sole party which insists that this strategic waterway maintain its true identity," the embassy said.
Bush urges Israel, Palestinians to resolve differences over core issues
By Xinhua
Ramallah : U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday urged the Israelis and the Palestinians to resolve their differences over the core issues.
Bush made the remarks while holding a joint news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after their meeting at the headquarters of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).
Bush made the remarks while holding a joint news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after their meeting at the headquarters of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).
Iran’s state TV station airs video of Hormuz ship incident
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iran's state television station on Thursday aired a video released by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) of an incident of confrontation between U.S. and Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz four days ago.
The footage, which lasted for about four minutes, showed an Iranian commander in a speedboat contacting a U.S. sailor via radio, asking him to identify the U.S. vessels.
Abbas: Mideast peace starts from Holy Land in Palestine
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday that the peace in the Middle East starts from "the Holy Land in Palestine."
In a joint news conference with visiting U.S. President George W. Bush in Ramallah, Abbas called on Israel to fulfill its commitments to a Mideast peace plan, saying he hopes "this will be the year for the creation of peace."
Bush: Hamas delivers nothing but misery in Gaza
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Visiting U.S. President George W. Bush said on Thursday that the Islamic Hamas in the Gaza has delivered nothing but misery.
Bush made the remarks at a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
But he said that he doesn't know whether the West Bank government installed by President Abbas can resolve the situation within the year.
Bush believes peace treaty to be signed before he leaves office
By Xinhua
Ramallah : U.S. President George W. Bush said on Thursday that he believes an Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty will be signed before he leaves office.
Bush made the remarks while holding a joint news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after their meeting at the headquarters of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The U.S. president said he's here to nudge the peace process between the two sides forward, stressing that the Israelis are help but not a hinder during the process.
Abu Dhabi to host World Future Energy Summit
By IANS
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) would host the World Future Energy Summit here from Jan 21-23, WAM news agency reported Thursday.
The summit, which would discuss future energy solutions, would be attended by a number of heads of state, ministers, scientists and venture capitalists as well as representatives of government and non-government agencies concerned with the environment and alternative energy sources.
US aircraft strike 40 Al Qaeda targets near Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : US warplanes have struck at least 40 suspected Al Qaeda targets, dropping at least 40,000 pounds of explosives Thursday, the US military said.
Two B-1 bomber and four F-16 fighter jets struck targets in the Arab Jabour area, an Al Qaeda stronghold south of the capital, a military statement said.
Thirty-eight bombs were dropped within the first ten minutes, weighing 40,000 pounds, it said.
Abbas calls for Palestinian state during Bush term
By DPA
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday called for the creation of a Palestinian state by the end of US President George W. Bush's term in office.
"We would like to end these peace negotiations during your term in office," he told a joint news conference in Ramallah with Bush, the first US president to officially visit the central West Bank city.
"We are starting with you a new year, hoping that this will be the year of the creation of peace," Abbas said.
Afghanistan urges Iran to suspend refugees’ expulsion
By Xinhua
Kabul : Afghanistan Thursday urged Iran to review its decision to expel Afghan refugees taking shelter there.
"We are hopeful that the Islamic Republic of Iran will review its policy with regard to refugees expulsion, particularly in this harsh winter," Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmad Baheen said at a press briefing.
"We have very cordial and friendly relations with Iran and hope that our bilateral relations would further expand," Baheen said.
Iran presents own video of Persian Gulf incident
By DPA
Tehran : Iran presented Thursday its own video of the encounter between an Iranian speedboat belonging to the Revolutionary Guards and US vessels in the Persian Gulf.
According to the 5.5-minute Iranian version, available on the website of the English news network Press TV, the Iranian forces first identified among each other in Persian the number of one the vessels as warship 73.
One of the Guards in the boat then asked the US vessel in English via radio for identification, course and purpose.
Terror strikes Pakistan again, 25 die in Lahore blast
By IANS
Lahore : At least 25 people were killed and more than 80 injured Thursday when a massive blast ripped through the busy high court area near Mall Road here, in Pakistan's second major terror attack in less than two weeks.
There was panic in this cultural capital of the country as the deafening explosion, which occurred around 11.40 a.m., shook the Lahore High Court and Supreme Court Registry buildings.
People could be seen lying motionless on the street; mangled cars and blood lay spattered around the blast site.
Terror strikes Pakistan again, 20 killed in Lahore
By IANS
Lahore : A powerful blast ripped through the crowded high court area near Mall Road here Thursday, killing up to 20 people and injuring scores of people, in Pakistan's second major terror attack in less than two weeks.
There was panic in this cultural capital of the country as the deafening blast, which occurred around 11.40 a.m., shook the Lahore High Court and Supreme Court Registry buildings.
People could be seen lying motionless on the street; mangled cars and blood lay spattered around the blast site.
Pakistan seeks to curb cyber crimes
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan is contemplating promulgating an ordinance to curb rising cyber crimes. But critics feel the government's real aim is to restrict information flow.
According to the proposed law, taking anybody's picture without consent and sending unscrupulous material or messages through mobile telephones or Internet or obtaining information on arms and ammunition will be punishable offences.
"The law proposes seven-year imprisonment or 300,000 (Pakistani) rupees fine or both," said a government official.
U.S. airstrikes hit 40 al-Qaida targets in S Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : U.S. warplanes bombarded 40 targets of suspected al-Qaida safe havens, dropping 40,000 pounds of explosives during ten minutes on Thursday morning, the U.S. military said.
A military statement said that two B-1 bomber and four F-16 fighter jets struck targets in the Arab Jabour area, which is a stronghold for al-Qaida in Iraq militants in south of the capital.
"Thirty-eight bombs were dropped within the first ten minutes, with a total tonnage of 40,000 pounds," the statement said.
Palestinian militants attack American school in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : Three unidentified gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at an American school in Gaza before dawn Thursday, hitting the art hall on the second floor, witnesses said.
The school's principal Ribhi Salem told reporters that the gunmen asked the school guards to leave after they broke into the school and then fired a RPG from zero range destroying the hall's contents.
Peace road should go through Arab, int’l legitimacy
By Xinhua
Ramallah : The road to the peace should go through the Arab and international legitimacy and initiatives, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' spokesman said Thursday as Abbas started meeting with his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush.
"An independent Palestinian statehood must come into being and east Jerusalem must be the capital of the upcoming statehood and prisoners must be released... this is the way and these are our only hopes," the spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdineh, told Voice of Palestine radio.
Blast outside Lahore high court kills 20
By IANS
Lahore : At least 20 people, mostly policemen, were killed and scores injured here Thursday when a powerful blast rocked the high court building near the busy Mall Road area, Pakistan's second major terror attack in less than two weeks.
Television channels reported that the toll could go up. People could be seen lying motionless on the street; mangled cars and blood lay spattered around the blast site.
Bush holds talks with Abbas upon arrival in Ramallah
By Xinhua
Ramallah : U.S. President George W. Bush arrived here on Thursday morning and held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at al-Muqara'a, headquarters of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in Ramallah.
Palestinian Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh told reporters that President Abbas is meeting President Bush, during which many issues related to the peace process, such as the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks and the Israeli expansion of settlements, would be discussed.
At least 13 killed in blast in Lahore
By IANS
Lahore : At least 13 people were killed and many injured here Thursday in a powerful blast outside the high court building, the second major terror attack to rock Pakistan in less than two weeks.
Television channels reported that the toll could go up. Mangled cars and blood lay spattered around the blast site near the busy Mall Road area.
Initial reports said that several policemen and lawyers were among the dead. The police immediately blocked all roads leading to the building.
Rain-drenched Bush”s motorcade arrives at Abbas” headquarters
By KUNA
Gaza : US President George W. Bush arrived in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Thursday for scheduled talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, it was officially declared.
Bush upon arrival in front of Abbas' headquarters was warmly welcomed by the Palestinian president, while honorary guards greeted the senior guest, despite stormy weather and torrential rain.
Several Palestinian politicians and clergymen welcomed Bush before he and Abbas entered the presidential headquarters.
Abbas-Bush talks decisive to push ahead peace efforts — spokesman
By KUNA
Gaza : The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Thursday highlighted the importance of the talks due on Thursday in Ramallah between President Mahmoud Abbas and US President George W. Bush for the Middle East peace process.
"The Palestinian side needs to see signals that what has been agreed upon in the Annapolis and Paris conferences is coming shape on the ground," Nabil Abu Redina told Voice of Palestine radio.
Suicide blast in Lahore kills over 17, wounds over 70
By Amena Khokhar, KUNA
Islamabad : At least 17 persons including 15 policemen were killed and over 70 critically wounded in a suicide blast in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Thursday, police said.
A suicide bomber, disguised as a policeman, blew himself up outside the High Court (HC) building in Lahore, about 370 kilometers southeast of Islamabad, while the HC Bar Association meeting was underway and lawyers were about to hold a rally, police sources and a journalist from the city told KUNA.
Suicide blast in Lahore kills over 10
By KUNA
Islamabad : At least ten persons including seven policemen were killed and over a dozen critically wounded in a suicide blast in an eastern Pakistani city on Thursday, said police.
Gunmen attack school with guns apparently to vent anger at Bush”s tour!!
By KUNA
Gaza : Gunmen burst into building of the American School in the north of Gaza early on Thursday and opened fire in it before disappearing, according to local radio stations.
The gunmen, upon arrival at the school, compelled the porter to stay in his room, before storming the main building and opening fire in the rooms with automatic guns and rocket-propelled grenades, causing extensive damage.
NATO soldier killed, another injured in Afghanistan blast
By KUNA
Kabul : A NATO soldier was killed and another sustained injuries in a roadside bomb explosion in southern Afghanistan, the military said on Thursday.
A statement issued by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters said the soldiers' vehicle was involved in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan yesterday.
It did not give more details about the exact location of the blast and the nationalities of the soldiers killed and injured.
Olmert says no peace with Palestinians but after cessation of terrorism
By KUNA
Ramallah : US President Bush and Olmet said they discussed the Iranian nuclear program and exchanged views over it.
Bush said Iran has been threatening international peace and the international community must stop it.
If a country is capable of enriching uranium for civil purposes then it can develop it for military methods to build a nuclear bomb, said Bush, citing iranian missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
He said Iran was not transparent regarding its nuclear program.
MP appeals to President Bush to release Kuwaiti detainees in Guantanamo
By KUNA
Kuwait : Chairman of the Human Rights Committee at the National Assembly Saleh al-Fadhala appealed in a press statement on Wednesday to US President George Bush to release Kuwaiti detainees in Guantanamo.
On the occasion of the upcoming visit to Kuwait by President Bush, Al-Fadhala said it was incumbent on Kuwait to invest its close ties with the US government to work for the release of the Kuwaiti detaninees in Guantanamo.
Olmert says no peace with Palestinians but after cessation of terrorism
By KUNA
Ramallah : There will be no peace with the Palestinians but after the cessation of terrorism, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday.
"We made it clear to the Palestinians during meetings with them that as long as there is terrorism from Gaza it will be difficult to reach an understanding with them," Olmert told a joint news conference with visiting US President George Bush.
Olmert, talking in details about rockets launched by the Palestinian militants from Gaza at Sderot, said these missiles posed a serious problem against the Jewish state.
Two Palestinians killed in Israeli raid in Gaza – witnesses
By KUNA
Gaza : Two palestinians were killed and six were injured in an Israeli air raid in the town of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza Strip, eyewitnesses said.
They added in press remarks that Israeli warplanes unleashed a rocket at an apartment building killing the two and injuring the six others.
Khedra Wahdan, 30, and Mohammad Kafarneh, 22, were killed in the air strike, they added.
Bush meets Israeli PM
By KUNA
Ramallah : Visiting US President George W. Bush met on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem city.
Earlier, Bush met with Israeli President Shimon Perez and he is scheduled to meet tomorrow with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
This three-day-long first leg of Bush's tour will be followed by visits to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Israel Army Kills Three Palestinians
By Prensa Latina
Gaza : At least three Palestinians died and 11 were wounded by Israeli shots in Gaza strip, where a thousand people joined a protest of the visit of US President George W. Bush.
Two of the mortal victims, one a woman, were identified as civilians and died after their house was shot by a missile that was launched from an Israeli plane on the refugee camp in Bei Hanun, Gaza northern, described witnesses.
Two of the mortal victims, one a woman, were identified as civilians and died after their house was shot by a missile that was launched from an Israeli plane on the refugee camp in Bei Hanun, Gaza northern, described witnesses.
Sudan Denies Attack on UN/AU Mission
By Prensa Latina
United Nations : Sudan rejected allegations Wednesday that its troops attacked a caravan of the United Nations-African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
"The attack was not launched by government troops," asserted Sudanese Ambassador to the UN Abdelmahmoud Abdelhalim Mohamed during a brief meeting with press at the end of a Security Council meeting.
Tuesday an official UN spokesman said "a clearly identified UNAMID caravan was attacked on Monday by members of the Sudanese Armed Forces as it moved from Um Baru to Tine, in western Darfur."
N Iraq Resistance Weakens US Forces
By Prensa Latina
Baghdad : The resistance killed another three US soldiers and wounded two others in clashes in north Iraq, military sources informed on Wednesday.
According to the military report, three soldiers died on Monday when insurgents attacked a US contingent carrying out an anti-rebel operation in the province of Salaheddin, while another two were wounded in the same territory on Tuesday.
UN Security Council protests attack on peace force in Darfur
By SPA
New York : UN Security Council members on Wednesday criticized Sudanese troops for shooting at a UN-African Union supply convoy in Darfur, the first such an attack since the joint force's deployment to try to end the ethnic conflict in that region.
Jean-Marie Guehenno, UN undersecretary general for peacekeeping operations, told a closed-door session of the 15-nation that a local Sudanese commander took responsibility for the shooting on Monday, which critically injured a driver of the convoy.