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MIDDLE EAST DAILY BULLETIN
18 JULY 2013
NO: 1603
1.
IRAQ ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Kobler praises settling Iraq, Kuwait pending issues .....................................................................3
U.N.: Iraq may be headed down violent path ..............................................................................3
Emergency parliamentary session to discuss Diyala crisis ...........................................................4
Allawi warns of displacement in Diyala ........................................................................................4
Sunni Waqf/endowment/condemns terrorist attacks on worshipers in Diyala province ...........5
New Labor Law under discussion .................................................................................................5
Atroshi denies smuggling oil by KR...............................................................................................6
IS MP calls to adopt open-slate system in parliamentary elections.............................................7
Hakeem discusses with Emir of Qatar bilateral relations, events in the area..............................7
Allawi discusses with the Italian ambassador the situation in Iraq and the region .....................7
Iran agency publishes Ahmadinezhad's Iraq visit schedule (ISNA) ..............................................8
Iran rebuffs Iraq's claim on sending weapons to Syria (MEHR News Agency) .............................8
Iranian VP Hails Trade Transactions with Iraq..............................................................................9
Officials: Attacks kill 10 people in Iraq (AP) ............................................................................... 10
Bomb attack kills 7 in northern Iraq tea house-polce, medics .................................................. 10
7 killed in suicide bombing at coffee shop in Iraq's Mosul ....................................................... 11
Explosion targets a swimming pool for children in Diyala ........................................................ 12
2 policemen killed, one wounded south of Mosul .................................................................... 12
One million dollars to release kidnapped oil engineer ............................................................. 13
Minister of Labour looking with international official into laws and regulations relating to
employment and labor in Iraq ........................................................................................................... 13
Nijaifi, Acting Head of CBI discuss controlling exchange rate ................................................... 14
CoM: Local governments to provide items of Ration Card ....................................................... 14
Siheil, Energy Committee discuss electric crisis in Iraq ............................................................. 15
Anbar gears up for first fuel-steam electric power station ....................................................... 15
Thursday announced as holiday in Maysan, Dhi-Qar ................................................................ 16
MoH, Global Health Organization to prepare joint work plan .................................................. 17
2. IRAN ....................................................................................................................................17
3.
FM: Iran to Continue Talks with G5+1 ....................................................................................... 17
Spokesman Rejects Reports on Iranian Delegation’s Visit to Egypt .......................................... 18
Iran, Armenia Sign Trade Pact in Yerevan ................................................................................. 19
Iran strategic partner for Tajikistan: Tajik foreign minister ...................................................... 21
Iran Army to unveil new military vehicles, simulation systems ................................................ 22
Iran-Oman relations bring stability to region: Larijani .............................................................. 23
Iran, Venezuela to up economic ties ......................................................................................... 24
ISRAEL - PALESTINE ..............................................................................................................25
Hamas rejects reconciliation deadline ...................................................................................... 25
Worshipers confront Israel deputy FM on Aqsa visit ................................................................ 26
5 Palestinian journalists injured at Qalandia protest ................................................................ 26
Sayfa 1
4.
PLO Welcomes EU Guidelines Banning Dealings with Israeli Settlements................................ 27
Israeli Forces Suppress Pro-Bedouin Protest near Bethlehem.................................................. 28
Palestinians close to resuming peace talks ............................................................................... 28
Israel says manned aircraft prevent civilian casualties ............................................................. 30
Samantha Power: US will push for Israeli seat on UNSC ........................................................... 34
AFRICA and EGYPT ...............................................................................................................35
5.
Bouteflika returns to Algeria ..................................................................................................... 35
Libya security remains precarious ............................................................................................. 37
Egypt's Brotherhood says EU has no offer for crisis.................................................................. 39
Kerry says no U.S. rush to judgment on Egypt coup question .................................................. 39
Sinai: Calm by day, dangerous by night..................................................................................... 40
Presidency: We may contact the Brotherhood in a week ......................................................... 41
Ashton, Brotherhood talks reach no resolution to Egypt crisis................................................. 41
Egypt’s Morsi supporters hold ‘million-man march’ Wednesday ............................................. 42
April 6 rejects Mubarak-era ministers in new Cabinet.............................................................. 44
JORDAN and LEBANON.........................................................................................................44
6.
Beqaa residents worry after bombing....................................................................................... 44
The politics of a term extension ................................................................................................ 47
Hezbollah-PSP meeting backs unity government...................................................................... 50
Suleiman’s dialogue call prompts mixed reactions ................................................................... 51
U.S. renews offer to help end Lebanon, Israel EEZ dispute ...................................................... 53
Sleiman rules out civil war in Lebanon ...................................................................................... 54
SYRIA ...................................................................................................................................55
7.
Iran rejects claims about sending arms to Syria ........................................................................ 55
Syrian Army Arrests Tens of Turkmen Armed Rebels in Aleppo ............................................... 56
Jihadists expelled from flashpoint Kurdish Syrian town: Activists ............................................ 57
London: Syria no-fly-zone would be going to war..................................................................... 58
ARABIAN PENINSULA AND THE GULF OF BASRA ....................................................................59
8.
Bahrain rattled by bombing near royal palaces ........................................................................ 59
Gulf states agree to blacklist Hezbollah as terrorist group ....................................................... 60
Al-Qaeda in Yemen confirms second-in-command killed by drone .......................................... 60
AFGHANISTAN - PAKISTAN ...................................................................................................61
Brother Of Afghan National Security Adviser Shot Dead .......................................................... 61
Based on reporting by AFP and RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan ............................................ 62
US-led operations kill 13 in eastern Afghanistan ...................................................................... 63
Afghan Interpreter Blames U.S. Commandos For Killings, Torture ........................................... 63
British Foreign Secretary visits Islamabad ................................................................................. 64
Karzai endorses election commission formation, duties and authorities ................................. 65
Afghan election body starts telephone hotline to answer poll queries .................................... 66
Today's Afghan News headlines ................................................................................................ 67
Sayfa 2
1. IRAQ
U.N.: Iraq may be headed down
violent path
Kobler praises settling Iraq, Kuwait
pending issues
UNITED NATIONS, July 17 (UPI) -- Iraq can
either head toward the path of prosperity
17 July 2013
Baghdad
or descend into widespread political and
(AIN)
–The
Special
Representative of the UN's Secretary
sectarian conflict, the U.N. special envoy
to Iraq said.
General to Iraq, Martin Kobler, praised
settling the pending issues between Iraq
At least 40 people were killed in bomb and
and Kuwait.
gun attacks across Iraq in weekend
violence. The United Nations said at least
The Kuwaiti KUNA news Agency quoted
7,000 people were injured and another
Kobler while reporting UNAMI's repot to
3,000 were killed in similar attacks across
the UN Security Council, as saying "I am
the country in the first four months of
very satisfied over settling the pending
2013.
issues between Iraq and Kuwait and we
call them to start a new phase of the
U.N. special envoy to Iraq Martin Kobler
mutual relations that involve the peoples
told the Security Council the country was
of the two countries, the MPs, the Youth
at a critical juncture.
Assemblies and the Football teams not
only the politicians," noting that "It is the
"[Iraq] can continue to make important
suitable time for this phase after relieving
strides
in
deepening
Iraq from the Seventh Chapter of the UN's
democracy,
pursuing
Charter."
embracing diversity as well as improving
the
roots
reforms
of
and
its stature in the international community
http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.ph
or it can go down a dangerous path,
p?option=com_content&view=article&id=
foretold
37889:kobler-praises-settling-iraq-kuwait-
sectarian violence at each turn leading to
pending-issues-
increased instability," he said Tuesday.
with
political
impasse
and
&catid=35:political&Itemid=2
Sayfa 3
Kobler
welcomed
renewed
Nujaifi received today a number of Diyala
diplomatic relationship with its neighbors
MPs, where it was stressed that the
and stressed the importance of ongoing
current crisis facing Miqdadiya city will
dialogue between central government
affect the province, as a whole, as well as
figures
on other areas of the country.
and
semiautonomous
Iraq's
those
from
Kurdistan
the
Regional
Government.
The statement added that tomorrow's
session will try "to find suitable solutions
"Fear, frustration, helplessness," however,
for the violations faced by the city daily".
were the dominant emotions expressed
by Iraqis who grew up in the wake of the
Nujaifi added that "terrorism is benefiting
U.S.-led invasion in 2003, he said.
from the deteriorating "security, political
and tribal situation".
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2
013/07/17/UN-Iraq-may-be-headed-
"The crisis should be terminated and
down-violent-path/UPI-77461374070762/
reaching a state of balance inside the
province", he pointed out.
Emergency parliamentary session to
discuss Diyala crisis
For the last few weeks, Diyala is facing
escalated tensions and attacks against
17 July 2013
public places, Shiite and Sunni mosques
BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: Parliament
and mourning ceremonies, as well as
speaker Usama Nujaifi called for holding
political and tribal personalities.
an emergency session tomorrow to
discuss the deteriorating security affairs in
Cases of expelling some people from their
Diyala province.
residences were also reported, following
killing threats.
The session will tackle deterring the
(Aswat al-Iraq)
terrorists and minimizing the effects of the
crisis, as reported in a statement, copy
received by Aswat al-Iraq.
Allawi warns of displacement in
Diyala
Sayfa 4
17 July 2013
Baghdad (AIN) –The head of the Iraqiya
Slate, Ayad Allawi, warned from the
Sunni Waqf/endowment/condemns
terrorist attacks on worshipers in
Diyala province
displacement of the citizens in Diyala
province.
17 July 2013
Baghdad/ NINA /--Sunni / Waqf/ Religious
A statement by Allawi received by AIN
cited "The return of the extremism and
displacing the citizens in Diyala province
will result in the sectarian conflict and
destroying the social texture in Iraq."
Endowment condemned terrorist armed
attacks against worshipers in Muthanna
bin Haritha Mosque of Muqdadiyah
district north of Diyala province as they
were going out of the mosque after
performing Taraweeh prayers last night by
"The weak governmental performance
and the accurate mechanism of the
bombing the mosque which led to kill and
injured many of worshipers.
Ministry of Interior to deal with the
situation in addition to the lack of the
national accord and the real partnership,
are the main reasons behind the unstable
security situation and the increase of the
terrorist attacks in Ramadan," he added.
Sunni Waqf said in a statement today:
"disregarding the sanctity of the holy
month of Ramadan, where man multiply
the good farewell and doubled Favors, The
enemies of humanity reaffirmed their
criminality behaviors as they targeting the
"While condemning displacing the citizens
worshipers during performing prayers.
in Diyala and the other provinces, we call
the government to show its stance over
this dangerous issue and to exert efforts
http://www.ninanews.com/english/News
_Details.asp?ar95_VQ=GIMHFK
to improve it," he concluded.
New Labor Law under discussion
17 July 2013
37896:allawi-warns-from-displacement-in-
Baghdad (AIN) –The Minister of Work and
diyala-&catid=35:political&Itemid=2
Social Affairs, Nasar al-Rubayi, reported
that the new Labor Law and the law of
Sayfa 5
Syndicates
Organization
are
being
17 July 2013
discussed currently in order to be
Baghdad (AIN) –MP, Furhad al-Atroshi, of
endorsed.
the Kurdistani Alliance criticized the
accusations of the Deputy
Premier,
The Media Office of the Ministry reported
Hussein al-Shihristani, against KR over
in statement received by AIN ''The
smuggling oil.
Minister of Work and Social Affairs
discussed with the Secretary General of
In a press conference held at the
the Industries World Federation, Kamal
parliament, he said "We are surprised
Ozcan, the legislations related to workers
over Shihristani's accusations especially
and labor in addition to the Syndicates
after being failed in providing the services
organization and its appropriateness with
to the citizens," noting that "Whenever he
the international standards.''
fails in providing services to the citizens,
he creates a crisis."
''The
Minister
offered
a
detailed
explanation over the exerted efforts to
"We hoped Shihristani to settle the crisis
complete the work prospects through
of the electricity that is unsettled eight
cooperating with the Labors Syndicates
years ago," he added, noting that "If
General Union and the Iraqi Industries
Shihristani think that the oil companies
Union as well as other associations and
that are working in are participating in
unions in Baghdad and the provinces,'' the
smuggling the oil, why would he deal with
statement added
them?"
"The oil is a wealth and it does not belong
to a single person," he concluded.
37888:new-labor-law-underdiscussion&catid=39:genral-
news&Itemid=48
37895:atroshi-denies-smuggling-oil-by-
Atroshi denies smuggling oil by KR
kr&catid=35:political&Itemid=2
Sayfa 6
IS MP calls to adopt open-slate
system in parliamentary elections
Hakeem discusses with Emir of Qatar
bilateral relations, events in the area
17 July 2013
17 July 2013
Baghdad (AIN) –MP, Etab al-Dori, of the
Baghdad (NINA) – Leader of the Supreme
Iraqiya Slate called the political blocs to
Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC), Ammar al-
adopt the Open-slate system during the
Hakeem, discussed on Wednesday, July
next parliamentary elections.
17, with Qatar's new Emir Tamim Bin
Khalifa, the relations between Iraq and
In a press statement received by AIN, she
Qatar.
said "Adopting the Close-slate system will
make the citizens to lose their rights and
A statement issued by the SIIC said that
the political blocs to achieve their
Hakeem met with the Emir of Qatar, on
interests.
the invitation extended to him, discussing
relations between the two countries, as
"The next parliament term will witness
well as development in the area.
unqualified MPs who will lead Iraq, if the
Close-slate system is adopted," she added.
_Details.asp?ar95_VQ=GIMIEF
She called "The parliament chairmanship
and the political blocs to vote on the
elections law and adopt the Open-slate
system
in
the
next
Allawi discusses with the Italian
ambassador the situation in Iraq and
the region
parliamentary
elections."
17 July 2013
37878:is-mp-calls-to-adopt-open-slatesystem-in-parliamentary-elections&catid=35:political&Itemid=2
Baghdad/ NINA /--General-Secretary of
the Iraqi National Accord Movement, Iyad
Allawi, touched in a meeting held today
with the Italian ambassador in Iraq
Massimo Maruti political situation in Iraq
and the region.
Sayfa 7
A statement by the movement said:
On the evening of 17 July Ahmadinezhad
"During the meeting, the two men
will confer with Unity of Iraq Coalition at
discussed the political situation in Iraq and
the dinner, after which he will set for the
the region and the role that should be
religious town of Al-Kazimiyah on the
played by the EU in establishing peace and
same day, according to the report.
stability in the Middle East.
On 18 July Mahmud Ahmadinezhad will
visit Shi'i religious centres in Najaf and
_Details.asp?ar95_VQ=GIMHJE
Karbala. However, he does not plan to
meet any Shi'i senior clerics (sources of
Iran agency publishes
Ahmadinezhad's Iraq visit schedule
(ISNA)
emulation), the report added.
ISNA website, Tehran, in Persian 17 Jul 13
ISNA website, Tehran, in Persian 17 Jul 13
Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA)
published the programme of President
Iran rebuffs Iraq's claim on sending
weapons to Syria (MEHR News
Agency)
Mahmud Ahmadinezhad's visit to Iraq,
scheduled on 17-18 July.
Source: Mehr news agency, Tehran, in
Persian 17 Jul 2013
According to ISNA report, although invited
by President Jalal Talabani, Ahmadinezhad
Tehran, 17 July: Asked about the remarks
will be received by Iraqi Vice-President
made by Iraqi Foreign Minister [Hoshyar
Khudayyir al-Khaza'i, as Talabani is not
Zebari] regarding the possibility of Iran
currently in Baghdad due to health
sending weapons to Syria through Iraqi
problems.
airspace, Foreign Ministry Spokesman
[Seyyed Abbas Araqchi] said: The Iraqi
He will also meet Prime Minister Nuri al-
government has engaged in unannounced
Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar
inspection of several Iranian planes
Zebari, the report said.
heading for Syria so far and in all cases, it
was announced that those planes had
been destitute of any military equipments.
Sayfa 8
Wednesday underlined that the value of
According to Mehr news agency, Araqchi
trade transactions between Tehran and
said: So far, The Iraqi government has
Baghdad
inspected several Iranian planes heading
growth, adding that the country's trade
for Syria unannounced and in all cases, it
balance with Iraq currently exceeds
was officially announced that those planes
$13bln.
were
not
carrying
any
have
witnessed
remarkable
military
equipments. In some cases, they said that
Saeedlou assessed the value of trade
[the planes] were only carrying food and
balance between Iran and Iraq at the
medical aide. This was announced by high-
highest level, adding that great efforts are
profile Iraqi officials and the inspection
made by the two sides to expand trade
team several times.
transactions and economic ties.
The foreign ministry spokesman added:
The Iranian vice-president added that,
The baseless claims of Iran sending
presently, Iraq is importing over 25 billion
weapons to Syria are made by those who
cubic meters of gas from Iran, adding that
train and arm terrorists and outlaws in
officials of the two countries have also
Syria
discussed export of Iran's electricity to
against
the
people
and
administration of that country and with
Iraq.
their support for war and bloodshed in
Syria, create barriers against the will of
Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties
the international community, which is
ever since the overthrow of the former
pursuing a political solution.
Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, during the
2003 US invasion of the Muslim country.
Source: Mehr news agency, Tehran, in
Persian 17 Jul 2013
Meantime, Iran's President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad is slated to visit Iraqi capital
Iranian VP Hails Trade Transactions
with Iraq
of Baghdad to talk with Iraqi officials to
expand bilateral ties between the two
Muslim states, Saeedlou said on Tuesday.
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Vice-President for
International
Affairs
Ali
Saeedlou
Sayfa 9
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.asp
neighborhood of Azamiyah, killing one
x?nn=13920426001006
person
and
wounding
six
others,
according to security officials.
Officials: Attacks kill 10 people in Iraq
(AP)
In many Iraqi cities, cafes where people
gather at night have become frequent
By SAMEER N. YACOUB Associated Press
targets of militants.
BAGHDAD, July 17 (AP) -- Attacks in Iraq
targeting
diners
and
Hours earlier, police said a bomb exploded
swimmers in a stream killed at least 10
near a group of people who were
people on Wednesday, as violence surges
swimming in a stream in Wajihiya, a town
during
80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of
the
in
Muslim
two
holy
cafes
month
of
Ramadan.
Baghdad, killing two swimmers and two
passers-by. The swimmers were trying to
Violence in Iraq is now at its deadliest
escape the summer heat.
level in half a decade, raising fears the
country is returning to the widespread
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/
bloodshed that pushed the country to the
ML_IRAQ?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME&T
edge of civil war. More than 2,800 people
EMPLATE=DEFAULT
have been killed since the start of April.
The deadlier of the two attacks took place
Bomb attack kills 7 in northern Iraq
tea house-polce, medics
late at night when a bomb went off inside
a cafe packed with people in the restive
MOSUL, Iraq, July 17 (Reuters) - A bomb
city of Mosul, killing five and wounding 14.
blast in a teahouse in the northern Iraqi
city of Mosul killed at least seven people
Mosul, a former al-Qaida stronghold, is
on Wednesday, police and medics said.
360 kilometers (225 miles) northwest of
Baghdad.
The violence is part of a sustained
campaign of militant attacks this year that
Shortly before midnight, a bomb exploded
has prompted fears of wider conflict in a
inside a cafe in Baghdad's northern
country where ethnic Kurds and Shi'ite
Sayfa 10
and Sunni Muslims have yet to find a
carnage of 2006-07 when monthly death
stable power-sharing compromise.
tolls sometimes topped 3,000.
Medics said they had received the corpses
http://www.trust.org/item/20130717210
of six men and one child following the
511-k82xp/?source=hpbreaking
attack in the Bab Laqash neighbourhood
of Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of the
capital Baghdad.
7 killed in suicide bombing at coffee
shop in Iraq's Mosul
"We used to go to this teahouse after
MOSUL, Iraq, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Seven
prayers. Tonight when we got close to it
people were killed and some 21 wounded
we heard a big explosion inside. At first we
in a suicide bomb attack at a coffee shop
thought it was a gas cylinder, but police
in central the Iraqi northern city of Mosul
told us it was an explosion. We saw smoke
Wednesday evening, a local police source
and flames coming out," 45-year-old
told Xinhua.
witness Haj Hassan said.
The attack occurred after sunset when a
It was not clear who was behind the
suicide bomber blew up his explosive vest
attack, but Sunni Islamist insurgents,
at a coffee shop in Bab Lagash in the
including the al Qaeda-affiliated Islamic
central part of Mosul, some 400 km north
State of Iraq, have been regaining strength
of the capital Baghdad, the source said on
in recent months, security sources say.
condition of anonymity.
Some 460 people have been killed in
One child was among the killed and two
militant attacks so far in July, according to
policemen were among the wounded, the
violence-monitoring
source said.
group
Iraq
Body
Count.
The predominantly Sunni Arab city of
Increasing bloodshed has stoked fears that
Mosul has long been a stronghold for
Iraq is sliding back into all-out conflict,
insurgent
though it has yet to match the sectarian
which fight U. S. troops and Iraqi security
groups,
including
al-Qaida,
forces, since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
Sayfa 11
The high heat of summer obliges boys and
Violence and sporadic high-profile bomb
young people in Diyala province to swim
attacks remain common in Iraqi cities
in rivers and agriculture streams.
despite the dramatic decrease of violence
over the past few years.
Targeting rivers of swimming is considered
the first incident of its kind after armed
(Xinhua)
attacks hit all the amenities of life in
Diyala , houses of worship, stadiums and
Explosion targets a swimming pool for
children in Diyala
cafes.
The armed attacks caused during the
17 July 2013
current year in Diyala , the fall of more
Shafaq News / Three boys were killed on
than 500 people some were killed and
Wednesday in an explosion that targeted
others were injured .
a swimming pool in Diyala province, a
local official said.
Shafaq News
“A bomb exploded near a river for
2 policemen killed, one wounded
south of Mosul
swimming in Soele village, about 6 km
western Wajihiya sub-district targeting
boys who were swimming there,” The
17 July 2013
head of Wajihiya sub-district , Wees
Mosul (NINA) – Two policemen killed and
Zaidan al-Tamimi told “Shafaq News”.
one wounded on Wednesday, July 17,
when an improvised explosive device
He said the explosion left 3 dead boys and
went off south of Mosul, Niniveh province.
4 wounded.
Police
source
told
NINA
that
an
He stressed that the security services and
improvised explosive device went off on
the
an
Wednesday afternoon, against a police
and
patrol in Hamam al-Aleel district, south of
local
investigation
administrative
into
the
opened
causes
circumstances of the incident.
Mosul,
killing
two
policemen
and
wounding one.
Sayfa 12
him,” the source who asked for anonymity
He is taken to hospital; no more details
told “Shafaq News”.
given.
“The attacking group took the kidnapped
(NINA)
and the car in which he was traveling to
an unknown destination, leaving three
One million dollars to release
kidnapped oil engineer
people who were in the car free,” the
17 July 2013
http://www.shafaaq.com/en/index.php?o
Shafaq News / A close source to the
ption=com_content&view=article&id=667
kidnapped oil engineer in Kirkuk said that
2:one-million-dollars-to-release-
the kidnappers demanded the family of
kidnapped-oil-engineer-
the kidnapped engineer of one million
&catid=50:security&Itemid=76
source added.
dollars for his release.
Unidentified men kidnapped two days ago
radiography the official in Hamrin oil field.
“The
group
that
carried
out
the
kidnapping send a message to the family
of the kidnapped , asking them to pay one
million dollars to release the hostage,” the
source said.
Minister of Labour looking with
international official into laws and
regulations relating to employment
and labor in Iraq
17 July 2013
Baghdad/ NINA /--Labour Minister Nassar
al-Rubaie touched with the Assistant of
the General-Secretary of the World
Federation of Industries Kemal Ozkan laws
and regulations relating to work, and
The source did not give any other details.
“The armed group stopped the car that
was carrying the radiography group’s
official in developing Hamrin project of oil
field (about 60 years old) and kidnapped
workers as well as to trade union
organization and the extent to which Iraqi
legislation to international standards.
(NINA)
Sayfa 13
Nijaifi, Acting Head of CBI discuss
controlling exchange rate
lifting the US protection to the Iraqi
17 July 2013
Baghdad (AIN) –The parliament Speaker,
Osama al-Nijaifi, discussed with the Acting
37884:nijaifi-calls-to-hold-urgent-session-
Head of the Central Bank of Iraq, Abdul
to-discuss-security-situation-in-diyala-
Basit Turki, the means of controlling the
&catid=35:political&Itemid=2
funds," the statement concluded.
exchange rate and the actions against the
violating banks.
CoM: Local governments to provide
items of Ration Card
A statement by Nijaifi's office received by
AIN cited "Nijaifi and Turki discussed the
17 July 2013
means of reducing the effects of the
Baghdad (AIN) –The Council of Ministers
banking policies and transferring them to
decided to make the local governments to
the judiciary."
provide the items of the Ration Card.
"Nijaifi expressed the readiness of the
During its session held on Tuesday, the
parliament to support the CBI and its
CoM decided that the local governments
current administration to control the
will provide the items of the Ration Card
exchange rate and serve the citizens," the
instead of the Ministry of Trade where
statement added, noting that "The two
only the Flour and Wheat will be provided
sides have also discussed the procedures
by the MoT.
that the CBI will follow after relieving Iraq
from the Seventh Chapter of the UN's
Charter and lifting the US protection to
the Iraqi funds."
37886:com-local-governments-to-provideitems-of-ration-
"Nijaifi called to form a committee to
follow
up
the
procedures
of
card&catid=35:political&Itemid=2
the
indebtedness of the Iraqi funds after
Sayfa 14
Construction work is under way on a 1,640
Siheil, Energy Committee discuss
electric crisis in Iraq
megawatt electric power station in Anbar,
the first in the province powered by both
17 July 2013
gas and thermal units.
Baghdad (AIN) –The First Deputy Speaker,
Qusaiy
al-Siheil,
discussed
with
the
"With continuous support from the
Parliamentary Oil and Energy Committee
Ministry of Electricity, the Greek company
the electric crisis in Iraq.
Metka began construction work on the
Anbar electric power station," said Mizher
A statement by Siheil's office received by
al-Mulla, chairman of the investment
AIN cited "Siheil headed the meeting of
committee at the Anbar provincial council.
the Energy Committee where he discussed
the electric crisis in Iraq and the reasons
The station "will have a capacity of about
behind the lack of the electricity in Iraq in
1,640 megawatts and will incorporate the
addition to some delayed law drafts."
latest specifications and designs", he said.
The energy and investment committee at
He called "The Energy Committee to
the Anbar provincial office will oversee
follow up providing the electricity in Iraq
the project.
and diagnoses the reasons behind its
continuous lack."
"The
local
Anbar
government
has
allocated a big plot of land for the
construction of the electricity station in al-
Khamsa Kilo, western Ramadi," al-Mulla
37887:siheil-energy-committee-discuss-
said, "and it has devoted all efforts to
electric-crisis-in-
supporting the Greek company to ensure
iraq&catid=35:political&Itemid=2
the project is completed within the
specified period of 33 months."
Anbar gears up for first fuel-steam
electric power station
The $1 billion Anbar project will comprise
outer service buildings, as well as gas and
2013-07-17 By Saif Ahmed in Anbar
thermal stations incorporated within the
Sayfa 15
broader gas-operated electricity station,
http://mawtani.al-
he said.
shorfa.com/en_GB/articles/iii/features/20
13/07/17/feature-01
The Anbar electric power station is one of
the most important and advanced projects
currently under way, and there is hope
Thursday announced as holiday in
Maysan, Dhi-Qar
that once the station begins operating, it
will help solve the problem of electric
17 July 2013
power blackouts on the national network,
Maysan, Ammara (AIN) –The Provincial
he added.
Councils of Maysan and Dhi-Qar provinces
announced Thursday as a formal holiday
Hossam al-Mafraj, deputy chairman of the
due to the high temperatures.
energy committee at the Anbar provincial
government, also praised the project.
The Iraqi cities suffer a big increase in
temperature during Summer and since the
"It is the first station in Iraq that operates
beginning of the holy month of Ramadan a
with four gas units and two thermal units,
heat
which gives the station its high production
coinciding with the lack in the electric
capacity
power.
and
high-precision
wave
controlled
the
weather
specifications," he said.
According to the Iraqi Law, the Secretariat
Project work will include connecting
General of the Council of Ministers has the
national
right to announce the day as an official
electric
power
transmission
towers, and working to distribute power
holiday if the temperature reached 50 C°.
across Anbari cities equitably, in such a
way as to reduce blackouts, al-Mafraj said,
adding that supplemental power will come
from other state-owned stations.
37883:thursday-announced-holiday-inmaysan-dhi-qar&catid=39:genralnews&Itemid=48
Sayfa 16
MoH, Global Health Organization to
prepare joint work plan
2. IRAN
FM: Iran to Continue Talks with G5+1
17 July 2013
Baghdad (AIN) –The Ministry of Health
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister
discussed
Health
Ali Akbar Salehi expressed confidence that
Organization the preparation for a joint
Tehran's talks with the world powers will
work plan.
continue, and said a new team to be
with
the
Global
appointed
by
President-elect
Hassan
The Ministry of Health reported in
Rouhani will be assigned to resume
statement received by AIN ''The Technical
negotiations with the Group 5+1 (US,
Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Star
Russia, France, China and Britain plus
al-Saedi, met the Director of the Iraqi
Germany).
program of Global Health Organization, ''
noting that ''The meeting was attended by
"The negotiations will certainly continue
the Director General of Planning and
and we are waiting for Mr. Rouhani to
Resources Development Directorate.''
take charge officially and then assign a
negotiating team and they (the world
''During the meeting the two sides agreed
powers)
upon continuing their meetings in order to
preparedness to resume negotiations,"
enhance and develop the medical services
Salehi told reporters in Tehran on
provided for Iraqi citizens,'' the statement
Wednesday.
have
also
announced
added.
Asked if Rouhani's team has invited him to
join the new group of negotiators with the
G5+1, he said, "They haven’t talked with
37885:moh-global-health-organization-to-
me about this issue."
prepare-joint-work-plan&catid=39:genralnews&Itemid=48
In April, Iran and the G5+1 wrapped up
two days and four rounds of intensive
negotiations
delegations
in
of
Almaty
the
after
world
the
powers
Sayfa 17
demanded further consultations with their
Iranian officials have always shrugged off
capitals.
the sanctions, saying that pressures make
them strong and reinvigorate their resolve
The Iranian team was led by Iran's top
to further move towards self-sufficiency.
negotiator Saeed Jalili and the G5+1's
representatives were presided by EU
Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton.
x?nn=13920426000761
Western media raised some speculations
Spokesman Rejects Reports on Iranian
Delegation’s Visit to Egypt
that the continuation of talks would
depend on the presidential election in
Iran, and that nothing substantial would
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Ministry
take place under the conditions then.
Spokesman
Seyed
Abbas
Araqchi
categorically denied the news reports by
Iran has so far ruled out halting or limiting
some foreign media alleging that the
its nuclear work in exchange for trade and
Islamic Republic has recently sent a
other incentives, saying that renouncing
ranking security delegation to Egypt.
its rights under the Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT) would encourage the world
Some foreign media outlets have claimed
powers to put further pressure on the
that Iran’s Supreme National Security
country and would not lead to a change in
Council (SNSC)
the West's hardline stance on Tehran.
delegation to Egypt to discuss the fate of
has sent
a ranking
ousted President Mohamed Mursi and the
Iran is under four rounds of UN Security
Muslim Brotherhood Party.
Council sanctions for turning down west's
calls to give up its right of uranium
enrichment. The United States and the
European Union have ratcheted up their
sanctions on Iran this year to force it to
curb its nuclear program.
Sayfa 18
Many people have been killed in violent
“No consultations have taken place
clashes
involving
supporters
and
between our country’s Supreme National
opponents of Mursi and security forces
Security Council and Egyptian officials on
over the past few days, with more than 80
the fate of Mursi or Muslim Brotherhood
deaths reported on July 8 alone.
and no delegation representing the
council has been sent to Egypt to be
returned from mid-way and we deny the
x?nn=13920426001171
report,” Araqchi said on Wednesday.
He further reiterated that Iran has and will
Iran, Armenia Sign Trade Pact in
Yerevan
not interfere in Egypt's internal affairs.
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian and Armenian
Egypt plunged into violence after the
trade officials in a meeting in Yerevan on
country’s
Wednesday signed a trade agreement.
army
Mohammed
ousted
Mursi,
President
suspended
the
constitution, and dissolved the parliament
The trade agreement was signed by the
on July 3. The military overthrow followed
chairmen of the chambers of commerce of
days of mass protests against Mursi.
Tehran and Yerevan in the Armenian
capital today.
The army also declared chief justice of
Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court,
Head of Tehran’s Chamber of Commerce
Adly Mansour, as interim president.
Yahya Al-e Eshaq, heading a ranking trade
delegation, is in Armenia to discuss
Egyptian
bilateral
Prosecutor General ordered the arrest of
officials.
Earlier
this
month,
the
ties
with
senior
Armenian
Muslim Brotherhood leaders, including
the
supreme
leader of the
group,
Mohammed Badie, on charges of inciting
violence.
Sayfa 19
He pointed to the establishment of a
copyright free regime between Iran and
Armenia as a very important problem, and
said, “As far as I know the Islamic Republic
does not have any problem with this
regime and these are the Armenian
officials who should decide about the
At the meeting, Head of Yerevan’s
establishment of such a regime in their
Chamber
economic relations with Iran.”
of
Commerce
Robert
Haratounyan pointed to the current IranArmenia relations, and said the Iranian
“The second problem pertains to the 20 to
delegation’s visit to Armenia provides the
30 percent rate of customs tariffs which is
two sides with a good opportunity for
too high for Armenia which is a member
boosting mutual cooperation between the
of the World Trade Organization (WTO),”
two countries.
Al-e Eshaq said.
Earlier in the day, Al-e Eshaq called for the
Last month, Armenian Ambassador to
further expansion of trade ties between
Tehran Grigor Arakelyan urged Tehran and
Iran and Armenia, saying that the Islamic
Yerevan to further broaden their relations
Republic can open new horizons to its
in different areas.
Northern neighbor.
Arakelyan made the call in a meeting with
“Iran can open the doors to Armenia for
Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s
the transit of goods to 14 neighboring
National Security and Foreign Relations
countries,” Al-e Eshaq told Armen Press
Commission
new agency.
Tehran.
The Iranian official noted that if certain
“I hope that during the presidency of
problems between the two countries are
Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani,
settled, the two countries’ economic
Iran and Armenia will further expand their
Alaeddin
Boroujerdi
in
relations will improve.
Sayfa 20
relations in all fields,” the Armenian
ambassador said.
In recent years, Iran and its Northern
neighbor
Armenia
cooperation,
energy
have
signed
cooperation
boosted
agreements
and
agreed
on
to
cooperate in technology and research and
to enhance ties
in commerce and
economy.
Addressing a press conference in the Tajik
capital of Dushanbe on Wednesday,
Hamrokhon Zarifi said Iran is a strategic
partner for Tajikistan as the two countries
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
and his Armenian counterpart pledged in
share the commonalities of language,
religion and culture.
December 2011 to further expand "highlevel relations" between their nations and,
in particular, give new impetus to the
implementation of joint energy projects
that have fallen behind schedule.
x?nn=13920426001283
He said Tehran-Tajikistan ties will continue
to develop in political, economic and
cultural arenas.
Trade transactions between the two
countries reached USD 210 in 2012, said
the top diplomat, adding the Islamic
Republic was Tajikistan’s third largest
Iran strategic partner for Tajikistan:
Tajik foreign minister
economic partner after Russia and China.
Over the past 20 years, Iran and Tajikistan
Tajikistan's Foreign Minister says Iran is a
have signed more than 150 memoranda of
strategic partner for his country, adding
understanding on economic, trade and
that both sides should continue to work
cultural cooperation, most of which have
together closely on various fronts.
been implemented, he said.
The Tajik official underlined that TehranDushanbe
economic
and
cultural
Sayfa 21
cooperation has witnessed a growth,
A senior Iranian commander says the
particularly over the past eight years
Army is set to unveil optimized Scorpion
during
armored personnel carriers and simulation
Iranian
President
Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad’s tenure.
systems in the Iranian calendar month of
Azar (November 22 - December 21, 2013).
He also hailed the high voter turnout in
Iran’s June 14 presidential poll and said
the election was held in a totally
transparent and democratic climate.
Hassan Rohani won the election in Iran
with 18,613,329 votes, or 50.7 percent of
a total of 36,704,156 ballots counted.
Nearly 50.5 million Iranians, including
more than 1.6 million first-time voters,
were
eligible to
participate
in the
presidential election. The voter turnout in
the election was 72.7 percent, according
to the Interior Ministry.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/07/18/
314375/iran-strategic-partner-fortajikistan/
Commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground
Forces Brigadier General Ahmad-Reza
Pourdastan made the remarks on the
sidelines of a Wednesday ceremony to
commemorate Lieutenant General Ali
Sayyad-Shirazi.
The Iranian commander further stated
that the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces
plan to stage drills involving infantry and
artillery regiments in the southeastern
Iran Army to unveil new military
vehicles, simulation systems
part of the country in the Iranian month of
Over the past years, Iran has made
Over the past years, Iran has made
important breakthroughs in its defense
important breakthroughs in its defense
sector and attained self-sufficiency in
sector and attained self-sufficiency in
producing important military equipment
producing important military equipment
and systems."
and systems.
Aban (October 23 - November 21, 2013).
Sayfa 22
The Islamic Republic has repeatedly
The Omani ambassador, for his part, said
assured other nations, especially its
that
neighbors, that its military might poses no
importance to developing relations and
threat to other countries, insisting that its
cooperation with Iran.
Sultan
Qaboos
attaches
great
defense doctrine is based on deterrence.
Director
of
Iran
Trade
Promotion
Organization for Persian Gulf, Farzad
314315/iran-army-to-unveil-new-military-
Piltan, said on June 16 that the volume of
vehicles/
trade transactions between Tehran and
Muscat stands at $250 million.
Iran-Oman relations bring stability to
region: Larijani
Iran’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has
underlined the
importance
of close
relations between Iran and Oman, noting
that ties between the two countries in
diverse areas influence regional stability.
He added that Iran’s exports to the
In a meeting with Omani Ambassador to
Persian Gulf kingdom stand at $170
Iran Sheikh Yahya Abdullah Salim al-Fana
million, while imports from the Arab state
al-Araimy on Wednesday, Larijani praised
are worth $80 million.
Tehran-Muscat relations as very good and
Piltan also lauded the current level of Iran-
strong.
Oman trade ties, calling on businessmen
“Relations between Iran and Oman are
improving
in
various
political,
parliamentary and economic domains, and
and trade companies to make efforts and
further
enhance
economic
relations
between the two countries.
such ties can affect stability in the region,”
the senior Iranian official stated.
Iran and Oman commemorated the 40th
anniversary of the establishment of
Sayfa 23
bilateral relations during a ceremony at
the Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran on
At a Wednesday meeting with Venezuelan
May 28.
Ambassador to Iran Amenhotep Zambrano
in the Iranian capital city, Tehran, Mesri
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi,
denounced the sanctions imposed by
Under-Secretary of the Omani Foreign
Western
Ministry for Diplomatic Affairs Ahmed bin
Venezuela as “fruitless.”
powers
against
Iran
and
Yousef bin Obaid al-Harthy, Iranian Deputy
Foreign Minister for Arab and African
“Mutual economic and commercial
Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and a
cooperation between the two countries
number of other Iranian and Omani
can meet the interests of the two nations
officials attended the event.
and improve their international position,”
he added.
314298/iranoman-ties-serve-regional-
He also expressed the full preparedness of
stability/
Iran’s Majlis and the members of the IranVenezuela
Iran, Venezuela to up economic ties
Parliamentary
Friendship
Group to promote bilateral ties with the
Venezuelan parliament.
Head of the Iran-Venezuela Parliamentary
Friendship Group Abdolreza Mesri has
Zambrano, for his part, expressed Caracas’
underscored the importance of enhancing
willingness to cement ties with Tehran in
economic ties between the two countries
all economic, industrial and commercial
as a means to promote the global status of
fields and described the two countries’
both states.
scientific achievements.
The Venezuelan ambassador also praised
the high turnout in Iran’s June 14th
presidential election as ‘unparalleled in
the world’ and described Iran as a stable
country with enormous political power.
Sayfa 24
government on Aug. 14, following the
Nearly 50.5 million Iranians, including
resignation
of
Prime
more than 1.6 million first-time voters,
Hamdallah in June.
Minister
Rami
were eligible to participate in the June 14
presidential election. The Interior Ministry
Yousef Rizqa, the political adviser to
put the voter turnout at 72.7 percent.
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh,
swiftly dismissed the deadline.
Hassan Rohani, who won 50.7 percent of
the vote to secure an outright victory in
"Shtayyeh's statements on reconciliation
the
are worthless," Rizqa told Ma'an.
election,
will
succeed
Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Rizqa
said
there
had
been
no
communication between the leaders of
314293/iran-venezuela-to-up-economic-
Hamas and Fatah, noting that Abbas is
ties/
"busy in meetings with US Secretary of
State John Kerry" and has not been
available to discuss national unity.
3. ISRAEL - PALESTINE
Hamas rejects reconciliation deadline
GAZA
CITY
(Ma'an)
--
Hamas
on
Wednesday rejected Fatah's deadline for
reconciliation and criticized its rival's
"selectivity" in implementing national
unity.
On Tuesday, Fatah official Mohammad
Shtayyeh said Aug. 14 was Hamas' "last
chance" for reconciliation. Fatah leader
President Mahmoud Abbas is set to
reform
the
Palestinian
Authority
At a meeting in Cairo on May 14, Fatah
and Hamas agreed on a three-month
deadline
for
establishing
a
unity
government of technocrats and setting an
elections date.
Sayfa 25
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said
that Fatah had not met its obligations in
The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and
the latest reconciliation deal.
Heritage said Israeli deputy FM Zeev Elkin
entered the compound through the
"August 14 is meaningless unless Fatah
Moroccan gate accompanied by a group of
takes the initiative and really commits to
settlers and armed Israeli forces.
doing its part in all the files," Abu Zuhri
said.
Minutes after arriving in the compound
Elkin was surrounded by worshipers,
Abbas dissolved the last unity government
students and mosque guards, pressuring
in June 2007. Since then, Fatah has
him to leave.
dominated the Palestinian Authority in the
West Bank and Hamas has led a separate
Worshipers also chanted 'Allah Akbar', or
government in Gaza.
'God is Great,' at the senior Israeli official.
Repeated
rounds
of
talks
and
Some 30 minutes after the incident a
reconciliation agreements have failed to
group of 50 settlers entered the area,
reunite the Palestinians under a single
including Likud official Yehuda Glick.
government.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDeta
ils.aspx?ID=614688
ils.aspx?ID=614763
Worshipers confront Israel deputy FM
on Aqsa visit
5 Palestinian journalists injured at
Qalandia protest
RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Five Palestinian
JERUSALEM
Palestinian
journalists were injured on Wednesday as
worshipers and guards confronted the
Israeli forces dispersed a protest at
Israeli deputy foreign minister during a
Qalandiya checkpoint.
visit
to
the
(Ma'an)
Al-Aqsa
--
compound
in
Jerusalem's Old City on Wednesday, a
local foundation said.
Sayfa 26
PLO Welcomes EU Guidelines Banning
Dealings with Israeli Settlements
RAMALLAH, July 16, 2013 (WAFA) – The
Palestine Liberation Organization Tuesday
welcomed European Union guidelines
banning dealings with Israeli settlements,
describing this step as a “significant
Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel
move.”
bullets and stun grenades while dispersing
a protest by the Israeli military checkpoint,
PLO Executive Committee member Hanan
injuring Nida Younis, Naela Araj, Mufeed
Ashrawi said in a statement that “We
Abu
and
welcome this significant move that calls
chairman of the Palestinian Journalist's
for all EU projects to be conducted within
Syndicate Abdel Nasser Najjar.
pre-1967 lines and not in East Jerusalem,
Hasna,
Omar
Abdul-Raziq,
the West Bank or Golan Heights.”
The head of the syndicate, Muhammad
Lahham, said that Israeli forces fired tear
This includes the prohibition of funding,
gas at peaceful demonstrators.
cooperation and research funding, among
other
things,
to
any
individual
or
The protests were part of a worldwide
institution in the illegal settlements, it
campaign
said.
calling
for
freedom
of
movement for Palestinian journalists,
Lahham said.
“The EU has moved from the level of
statements,
declarations
and
An Israeli military spokesman told Ma'an
denunciations to effective policy decisions
that around 70 Palestinians hurled rocks
and concrete steps which constitute a
at Israeli forces, who "responded with riot
qualitative shift that will have a positive
dispersal means."
impact on the chances of peace,” said
Ashrawi.
ils.aspx?ID=614740
Sayfa 27
“The Israeli occupation must be held to
http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=
account, and Israel must comply with
detail&id=22818
international and humanitarian law and
the requirements for justice and peace,”
she stressed.
Palestinians close to resuming peace
talks
http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=
After meeting with Kerry, Abbas to bring
detail&id=22827
latest terms to PLO for a decision;
Netanyahu said ready to partially freeze
Israeli Forces Suppress Pro-Bedouin
Protest near Bethlehem
settlements
By Lazar Berman July 18, 2013, 10:08 am 1
BETHLEHEM, July 15, 2013 (WAFA) –
Share 2
Israeli forces Monday suppressed a
peaceful demonstration in the village of
Israel and the Palestinians appear to be
Hosan, west of Bethlehem, against Israeli
drawing closer to the negotiations table,
policy which aims at emptying Naqab
during the US secretary of state’s sixth
desert in the south of Israel of its Bedouin
visit to the region since taking office
residents, according to a local source.
earlier this year. According to a Lebanese
report, the Palestinians were leaning
Coordinator of the National Committee
toward announcing Thursday that they’re
against the Wall and Settlements in
ready to resume talks with Israel.
Bethlehem, Hassan Brijiyeh, told WAFA
that forces attacked the protesters and
Gaps between the Israeli and Palestinian
prevented them from continuing in their
positions have narrowed substantially
demonstration.
after US Secretary of State John Kerry met
with PA President Mahmoud Abbas
Soldiers used sound waves dispersal
Wednesday in Jordan, a senior Palestinian
methods, which causes severe pain in the
Authority official told the newspaper Al-
ears, causing a temporarily hearing loss to
Mustaqbal. The official said that Prime
several protesters.
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed
to a partial settlement freeze and is willing
Sayfa 28
to negotiate on the basis of the 1967 lines.
to refuse to come to the table. He also
The freeze would not apply to Jerusalem
demanded a yes or no answer from Abbas
and the major settlement blocs, the report
as to whether he would negotiate with
said.
Netanyahu when all the outstanding
issues are up for discussion, while
Abbas was to present Kerry’s outline for
informing him that the Israeli prime
the talks to the PLO leadership in
minister had agreed to negotiate over the
Ramallah
1967 lines, and would announce this
on
Thursday.
The
senior
Palestinian official said there was a very
publicly.
good chance the plan would be approved.
Kerry has been spearheading an intensive
In addition, it is likely that the Palestinians
American effort to revive peace talks,
will commit to not taking action against
which last broke down in 2010.
Israel at the United Nations, while Israel
will
release
dozens
of
prisoners
Thus far, Abbas has refused to negotiate
incarcerated before the Oslo Accords in
unless Israel halts all construction in West
1993, many of whom have blood on their
Bank settlements, which it last did in
hands.
2009.
Recently,
Israel
has
rejected
Palestinian demands for a blanket freeze,
“When
saying
resume
months ago, there were very wide gaps,
without the imposition of Palestinian
very significant gaps between the two
preconditions. Kerry has offered the
sides,” Kerry said in Jordan. “Through hard
Palestinians a package of economic
and deliberate, patient work, and most
incentives worth $4 billion to restart the
importantly through quiet work we have
talks.
been able to narrow those gaps very
negotiations
should
this
process
started
several
significantly.”
Reportedly, the US upped pressure on the
Palestinians to agree to talks during the
“We continue to get closer and I continue
five-hour dinner meeting, with Kerry
to remain hopeful that the sides will soon
threatening
American
be able to come to sit at the same table,”
economic aid to the PA if Abbas continued
he said. “There are still some elements,
to
hold
up
Sayfa 29
some language that needs to be agreed
upon and worked out. This is normal.”
“Israel needs to look hard at this initiative,
which promises Israel peace with 22 Arab
While in Jordan, Kerry also met with
nations and 35 Muslim nations — a total
representatives of the Arab League and
of 57 nations that are standing and
nine of its members who support a
waiting for the possibility of making peace
comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace plan
with Israel,” Kerry said from Amman.
proposed by Saudi Arabia. Kerry won Arab
League backing for his effort to restart
Indications of a return to negotiations
talks, raising hopes for a resumption of
come against the backdrop of new
the stalled negotiations.
pressure on Israel over its settlements.
The European Union issued a new
Kerry himself said significant progress had
directive, made public Tuesday, that
been made in narrowing gaps between
denies
the two sides but declined to elaborate. In
cooperation with, Israeli institutions based
a statement released after the meeting,
or operating over the Green Line, and
the Arab delegates said they supported
stipulates that all future agreements
Kerry’s initiative.
between Israel and the EU to include a
clause
European
funding
to,
and
in which Israel accepts
“The Arab delegates believe Kerry’s ideas
European
proposed
territory over the Green Line does not
to
the
committee
today
constitute a good basis and suitable
environment
for
restarting
Union’s
position
that
the
all
belong to Israel.
the
negotiations, especially the new and
http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian
important political, economic and security
s-close-to-resuming-peace-talks/
elements,” the statement said.
The statement was significant because it
Israel says manned aircraft prevent
civilian casualties
could give Abbas the political cover he
would need to sell a return to negotiations
'Hummingbird' gives real-time intelligence
to a skeptical Palestinian public.
from Gaza and Lebanon, as manned
Sayfa 30
aircrafts continue to dominate IAF, IDF
intelligence gathering. In one film take
operations
one year ago, Israeli fighter jets drop small
bombs on homes in the Gaza Strip to
Sde Dov Air Force Base, Tel Aviv – While
encourage civilians to leave the area.
more and more armies around the world
Small black figures are seen running out of
are using unmanned aerial vehicles
the buildings. Only then does the bomber
(UAVs),
attack the target, believed to be a
or
drones,
for
intelligence
gathering, Israel, itself a leader in drone
Palestinian arms factory.
technology and a leading source of UAVs
to other countries, continues to use
Another video shows Israel’s assassination
manned aircraft for many of its missions.
of Hamas military leader Ahmed Ja’abari
last November. Israel says Ja’abari was
“Drones are susceptible to wind, rain and
behind the 2006 abduction of Israeli
clouds but manned flights can operate in
soldier Gilad Shalit who was freed in a
all weather,” Captain Omri, 27, the “Flying
prisoner exchange deal with Hamas more
Camel Squadron” operations officer told
than five years after being taken captive.
The Media Line. “Manned vehicles can fly
four times as fast as drones, and people
The video shows Ja’abari’s car driving
can provide the best visual intelligence.”
down a main street in Gaza with
According to army security regulations, his
pedestrians and other traffic. Only once
last name cannot be used.
the car turns off onto a side street does
the attack that kills Ja’abari and his son
Flying Camel, the squadron responsible for
occur.
intelligence operations, is the nation’s
oldest, formed in 1947, even before the
“We tracked Ja’abari for eight years,”
creation of the state of Israel.
Omri says. “And an hour before we struck
we were about to carry out the attack, but
At a briefing at the Sde Dov Air Force base
then we saw a lot of civilians in the area
in Tel Aviv, Omri, with his sunglasses
and we aborted. We are doing everything
pushed up on his head, showed video
possible to minimize civilian casualties.”
demonstrating the squadron’s successful
Sayfa 31
Avoiding what is euphemistically called
identified as combatant or civilian. Omri
“collateral damage” is especially difficult
says that out of the 1,500 targets in Gaza
in the densely populated Gaza Strip,
that Israel attacked during the fighting,
where 1.5 million Palestinians live in an
700 were cleared by his squadron after
area of 139 square miles. Israeli officials
ensuring that there were no civilians in
say that the Hamas and Islamic Jihad
the area.
terrorist organizations have purposely
planted rocket launchers in the midst of
The intelligence-gathering aircraft itself,
civilian areas in order to maximize civilian
nicknamed
casualties
squadron, is a Beechcraft 11-seater plane
when
Israeli
preventative
strikes or reprisals take place.
“Hummingbird”
by
the
manufactured in Wichita, Kansas. Once
the planes arrive in Israel they are
Omri says the manned reconnaissance
equipped with an advanced multi-sensor
flights have contributed significantly to
payload system called AMPS, state-of-the-
the lessening of civilian casualties. In
art electro-optic systems. Inside the
Operation Cast Lead that began in
aircraft, the mission commander sits in
December 2008, according to the Israeli
the back. In front of him are two “scouts”
human rights organization B’tselem, Israeli
responsible for gathering the intelligence.
security forces killed 1,387 Palestinians
Their computer screens show the feed
during the course of the three-week
from the cameras – one a close-up view
operation. Of these, 773 were not
and one a wider view.
involved in the fighting, including 320
minors and 109 women over the age of
“Some of the aerial scouts are from the air
18. Palestinians killed 9 Israelis during the
force and others are from the intelligence
operation.
corps,” Omri said. “They are in charge of
analyzing and understanding what we are
In contrast, during Operation Pillar of
Defense
including
in
87
2012,
167
civilians
looking at.”
Palestinians,
were
killed.
The planes are used to monitor both Gaza
According to B'Tselem, 69 were defined as
and southern Lebanon. Although they do
“combatants” and 11 could not be
not cross into Lebanese airspace, Omri
Sayfa 32
says they can monitor several miles across
account when we contemplate force
the border.
building. For this reason, as well as others,
over the years there has been a constant
Since the Pillar of Defense Operation last
increase in the amount of unmanned flight
year, the number of rockets fired into
hours,” Israeli army spokesman Captain
Israel from the Gaza Strip has been
Eytan Buchman told The Media Line. “It is
drastically reduced.
also important to bear in mind that in
many instances, these flights do not
“Hamas has an interest in keeping the
necessarily replace manned flights. As
border with Israel calm and they are doing
more
their utmost to curb the radical Salifis,”
implemented in the military, the scope
Guy Bechor, the director of the Middle
and depth of missions the aircraft are
East program at IDC, the Interdisciplinary
capable of performing increases as well.”
tools
and
technologies
are
Center in Herzliya, told The Media Line.
“Hamas has a so-called country with a
Yet, Omri says drones will never be able to
civilian population to take care of. They
completely replace manned intelligence
need to continue to receive food aid from
reconnaissance.
Israel and want the situation to remain
stable.”
“The bigger the plane, the heavier the
equipment, and the better the resolution
Along with its manned aerial flights, Israel
details so our optic systems are better
operates a network of unmanned drones,
than the drones,” Omri said. “In addition,
which are cheaper to operate and can
when you send a plane, it’s autonomous. I
remain airborne for up to 36-hours.
don’t need radio communication, or any
Israel’s army is currently undertaking
communication with the crew on the
budget cuts and it is likely that the
ground.”
percentage of drone flights, today about
50 percent, will increase.
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L4406618,00.html
“I can confirm that a reduced budget is
one of the primary factors taken into
Sayfa 33
Samantha Power: US will push for
Israeli seat on UNSC
admitted as a representative of the
Obama's nominee for UN ambassador,
"The Security Council seat is one that has
whose past remarks on Israeli-Palestinian
eluded
conflict raised concerns in Jerusalem, tells
contributions across the years, and I
Senate
commit to you wholeheartedly to go on
hearing
she
will
combat
'unacceptable bias' against Jewish state
Western European group of countries.
Israel,
despite
its
many
offense, as well as playing defense on the
legitimation of Israel, and we'll make
WASHINGTON
–
President
Barack
every effort to secure greater integration
Obama's decision to appoint Samantha
of Israeli public servants in the UN
Power as the American ambassador to the
system."
UN has raised concerns in Jerusalem due
to her past statements on the Israeli-
Speaking
Palestinian conflict, but during her Senate
Committee, Power also expressed support
confirmation
Wednesday
for increasing pressure on Iran and
Power said "The United States has no
maintaining the option of military force to
greater friend in the world than the State
deter its development of a nuclear
of Israel" and pledged to combat the
weapons program.
hearing
on
before
Foreign
Relations
"unacceptable bias" against Israel at the
global body.
"Israel—not Iran, not Sudan, not North
Korea—is the one country with a fixed
"Just as I have done as President Obama's
place on the Human Rights Council's
UN adviser at the White House, I will
agenda. Israel's legitimacy should be
stand up for Israel and work tirelessly to
beyond dispute, and its security must be
defend it,” she said.
beyond doubt," Power said in her
testimony.
Power also promised to fight to help Israel
obtain a nonpermanent seat on the UN
During a 2002 discussion at the University
Security Council. Israel, which has never
of California-Berkeley about the Israeli-
sat on the Security Council, wants to be
Palestinian conflict, Power recommended
Sayfa 34
that the US divest its support from Israel's
Security Council to respond to the
military
slaughter in Syria - a disgrace that history
and
devote
billions
to
"a
mammoth protection force” in order to
will judge harshly."
create a "meaningful military presence" in
Israel.
Power, 42, a human-rights advocate and
former journalist, took a leave from
"Putting something on the line might
Harvard University’s Carr Center for
mean alienating a domestic constituency
Human Rights Policy to work as a foreign
of tremendous political and financial
policy adviser in Obama’s Senate office.
import,” Power said at the time, in an
She joined his 2008 presidential campaign
oblique reference to the pro-Israel lobby
and served on his National Security
in the US.
Council until earlier this year.
During the nomination hearing, Sen.
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-
Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) pressed her on
4406613,00.html
these comments. Power responded by
saying they were part of "a long, rambling
4. AFRICA and EGYPT
and remarkably incoherent response to a
hypothetical question that I should never
Bouteflika returns to Algeria
have answered."
By Nazim Fethi in Algiers for Magharebia –
17/07/2013
"There is no shortcut" to a negotiated
settlement
conflict,
"Unilateral
of
she
the
told
Israeli-Palestinian
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
the
committee.
returned home on Tuesday (July 16th)
statehood
from Paris after a stay of almost three
Palestinian
measures just won’t work." Power said
months in hospital, AFP reported.
the US needs to "deter" such unilateral
efforts.
The president's office confirmed the
information by releasing a statement an
Power also addressed the civil war in
hour
Syria, saying "We see the failure of the UN
statement said that the president had
after
Bouteflika
landed.
The
Sayfa 35
returned "after completing the period of
On the streets of Algiers, his return was
treatment and rehabilitation", but also
greeted
confirmed that the president would
compassion for a sick elderly man. Citizens
"continue
interviewed by Magharebia were far more
a
period
of
rest
and
with
indifference
if
not
rehabilitation".
concerned about their lives and futures.
After the president's hospital plane
"Oh, he's back! What next?" joked Kamel
touched down discreetly at Boufarik
Samrani, an electronics engineer, who
military airport, he was met by a small
feels that "the president has been ill since
welcoming party made up of the prime
2005. We're used to living without him, so
minister, the speakers of both chambers
whether he's here or in Paris, it makes no
of Parliament, the chairman of the
difference."
Constitutional Council and the chief of
staff of the army. It was a far cry from the
Rym Hendel, a teacher, felt sorry for the
usual welcoming ceremonies that used to
sick president: "I saw him on TV and felt
be held for President Bouteflika.
sad." But she also feels that "it's time for
him to step down with dignity. He can't
Two hours after he got off the plane, the
govern any more, that's obvious."
first pictures of him were broadcast on
public television. They showed a greatly
Politicians' reactions have been equally
weakened
mixed.
president
sitting
in
a
wheelchair in the VIP lounge at Boufarik
airport and showing the effects of his
The Workers' Party commented that "the
stroke.
Algerian people expect him to take
important economic and social decisions
The return of the 76-year-old Bouteflika
and measures, and for that to happen,
ends a period of rumour and speculation,
people know that he needs to fully regain
but also leaves the door wide open for
his strength."
someone to succeed him.
Sayfa 36
Abdellah Djaballah, the president of El
But that view was not shared by the whole
Adala, wants more details about the
of the profession. MBC journalist Ahmed
president's condition.
Harzallah said that "neither of these two
things will happen. Unless he dies before
"First of all, we need to know if President
April 2014, he will remain in post."
Bouteflika is well. If he is, we can expect
many things from him," he said, adding
http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/a
that if not, "the president's return will
wi/features/2013/07/17/feature-01
have no political impact on the country."
Libya security remains precarious
With nine months to go before the next
By
presidential election, many in the press
Magharebia – 17/07/2013
Essam
Mohamed
in
Tripoli
for
are speculating about Bouteflika's political
fate. Writing for Tout sur l'Algérie, Samir
Security in Libya continues to be a serious
Allam opined that Algerians were weary of
issue, despite the interim governments'
the status quo and did not wish to see a
repeated efforts to disarm militias and
fourth term for the ailing president.
establish a professional army and police
force.
"He has one final job to do: to try to lead
Algeria towards a peaceful transition and
Four vehicles belonging to members of the
prevent the country from losing another
military police were blown up by IEDs
15 or 20 years for nothing," Allam
Tuesday (July 16th) morning in Tripoli,
editorialised.
newly-appointed government spokesman
Abdussalam Sabri Sharief said.
Hamid Ghomrassa, who writes for El
Khabar, ventured on Facebook that the
One of the targeted vehicles carried the
constitutional
medical
military police's logo, while the other
incapacity could be invoked or the
three belonged to citizens working for the
president could resign.
military police.
article
about
Sayfa 37
"This criminal act is contrary to law,
A security source in Benghazi added that it
morals and principles of Islam," Sharief
was the same vehicle that was used in the
said.
assassination of a Derna judge. Last
month, gunmen killed appeals court judge
People
should
show
a
spirit
of
responsibility and restraint, allowing the
Mohammed Ibrahim Houidi, president of
the local criminal division.
competent authorities to do their duty
according to the law, Sharief said,
"We hope that the army will be activated
"especially that now we are in the month
and that the police will play their role,"
of mercy and forgiveness".
39-year old journalist Miftah Belaid said.
"We hear a lot about training missions
In another attack Monday night in Derna,
abroad and at home, and therefore, we're
unknown assailants killed Libyan Air Force
waiting for these forces to be activated to
Colonel Fathi Ali al-Ammami.
impose their control on the ground.
Gunmen fired at the victim, who headed
"Violators must be punished, and cases
the search and rescue division, as he
must be investigated and covered by the
opened his store.
media so they may be a lesson for others,"
he added.
In turn, Tripoli citizen Leila said that "in
spite of what's happening in Derna, we
don't hear that there are investigations
into such cases. We also hear that people
get killed while security forces have no
presence; something that makes gunmen
proceed with their operations because
Witnesses said the shots were fired from a
there are no deterrents."
black Chevrolet Optra car, Libya Herald
reported. Al-Ammami had survived a
previous assassination attempt.
"The strange thing is that such blasts took
place
using military
police
vehicles;
Sayfa 38
something which shows that this is an act
of revenge in a clear absence of security,"
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton
22-year
held a 45-minute meeting with Amr
old
medical
student
Emad
Solayman said.
Darrag and other Muslim Brotherhood
leaders, as well as Morsy's prime minister,
"As
to
Derna,
the
government
is
Hisham Kandil.
demanding more money to execute
development and infrastructure projects
Asked whether he was disappointed that
there. It looks as if the state wants to
the
create security through projects, and that
Brotherhood, Darrag said: "We are not
it fears having a presence there," he said.
expecting support from anybody. We are
EU
was
not
supporting
the
relying only on ourselves."
http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/a
wi/features/2013/07/17/feature-02
http://www.egyptindependent.com/news
/egypt-s-brotherhood-says-eu-has-no-
Egypt's Brotherhood says EU has no
offer for crisis
offer-crisis
Kerry says no U.S. rush to judgment
on Egypt coup question
A senior figure in ousted President
Mohamed Morsy's Muslim Brotherhood
met the European Union's foreign affairs
AMMAN - Secretary of State John Kerry
chief in Cairo on Wednesday and said
said on Wednesday there would be no
Brussels had offered no proposal that
hasty U.S. decision on whether Egyptian
could resolve Egypt's political crisis.
President
Mohamed
Morsy's
ouster
Sayfa 39
constituted a coup, a determination that
Central Security Forces camp, all with
would affect U.S. aid for Cairo.
heavy weapons, mortars, and RPGs.
"On the issue of a coup, this is obviously
Armed clashes erupted between the
an extremely complex and very difficult
attackers and the Egyptian army, with
situation," Kerry told a news conference in
Apache helicopters hovering over the area
Amman, where he held talks with Arab
until the attackers fled, leaving 14 people
officials.
wounded.
"The fact is we need to take the time
Security sources told the German DPA
necessary because of the complexity of
news agency that 10 of the wounded were
the situation to evaluate what has taken
from the army.
place ... So that's exactly what we are
doing right now, and I'm not going to rush
A similar attack took place Wednesday on
to judgment on it," he said.
army checkpoints and a Central Security
Forces camp in Rafah, with the same
scenario repeated.
/kerry-says-no-us-rush-judgment-egyptcoup-question
Eyewitnesses saw the unidentified masked
men in their SUVs opening fire on the
Sinai: Calm by day, dangerous by
night
checkpoints then escaping into the desert.
The next morning, calm prevailed again,
For more than a week since the beginning
and the Egyptian army began to demolish
of the month of Ramadan, calm has been
the tunnels on the border with Gaza.
prevailing in the daytime in Sinai, then
turns into hell at night.
On Wednesday, the Egyptian authorities
opened the Rafah border crossing with
This is what happened on Tuesday, when
Gaza on an exceptional basis for a period
gunmen attacked checkpoints in the Rafah
of four hours, for Palestinian patients and
Safa and Ahrash districts, as well as the
pilgrims to cross.
Sayfa 40
Ashton, Brotherhood talks reach no
resolution to Egypt crisis
/sinai-calm-day-dangerous-night
European Union (EU) High Representative
Catherine Ashton told state news agency
Presidency: We may contact the
Brotherhood in a week
MENA Wednesday that during talks with
Egyptian political figures she expressed
Presidential Advisor for Political Affairs
wishes to see Egypt hold elections within a
Mostafa
few months.
Hegazy
has
said
that the
presidency may contact the Brotherhood
and other political parties in a week, in the
"My message was clear that the European
context of national reconciliation.
Union largely supports the Egyptian
people and would like Egypt to see a
At
a
press
conference
from
the
presidential palace on Wednesday, Hegazy
smooth transition to democracy," she
added.
said that the presidency's focus was on
the roadmap for the future, pointing out
Ashton met with representatives of anti-
that the first step is to amend the
Morsi petition drive 'Rebel' as well as
Constitution through a committee, the
representatives
work of which is to be reviewed by
Brotherhood - the group from which
another committee of 50 members
deposed president Mohamed Morsi hails.
of
the
Muslim
representing all facets of Egyptian society.
Earlier
on Wednesday, Ashton held
He also said that there is a need for
meetings
national reconciliation and for explaining
including Egypt's temporary President
the meaning and value of the constitution
Adly Mansour, Vice President Mohamed
to the people.
ElBaradei, Defence Minister Abdel-Fattah
with
government
officials
El-Sisi and Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy.
/presidency-we-may-contact-
Following the 45-minute meeting with
brotherhood-week
Brotherhood
representatives,
senior
Brotherhood figure Amr Darrag told
Sayfa 41
Reuters that Ashton did not offer a
solution that could resolve the current
The campaign's founders asserted to
crisis.
Ashton that what happened following the
30 June nationwide anti-Morsi protests
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood remains
was not a military coup d'etat but a
adamant on rejecting the current military-
"popular revolt," the campaign said in a
backed roadmap as "illegitimate" and said
statement released after Wednesday's
it will not take part in any negotiations
meeting.
until Morsi – who was removed in a
popularly-backed military overthrow - is
"We have affirmed to Ashton that we will
reinstated.
only respect those who respect the will of
the Egyptian people and that the any
Ex-prime minister Hisham Qandil and key
[foreign entity] that stands against the
Brotherhood figure and former minister
people's revolution will come out a loser,
under Morsi Mohamed Ali Bishr attended
especially that the EU has common
the meeting with Ashton, along with
political and economic interests [with
Darrag.
Egypt]," the campaign added.
Ashton also added that she would have
The EU had reportedly attempted to
liked to meet Morsi – currently held by the
broker a consensus deal between Egypt's
military - during her visit to Cairo.
rival political forces a few months ago, but
the proposed measures were turned
"I have received confirmation that he is
down by Morsi, according to Reuters.
well. I believe he should be released," she
told reporters.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent
/1/64/76735/Egypt/Politics-/Ashton,-
'Rebel' campaign co-founders Mahmoud
Brotherhood-talks-reach-no-resolution-to-
Badr and Mohamed Abdel-Aziz declined to
E.aspx
comment after their meeting with Ashton
and only said the campaign will issue a
statement shortly.
Egypt’s Morsi supporters hold
‘million-man march’ Wednesday
Sayfa 42
Morsi supporters march in Cairo on
Two marches will leave from Al-Istiqama
Wednesday of 'determination' to continue
Mosque in Giza and Al-Asad Ibn El-Furat
their call for deposed president Mohamed
Mosque in Cairo's Dokki district and will
Morsi's reinstatement
head to Giza's Nahda Square.
Egypt's Freedom and Justice Party has
Al-Jazeera Mubashir Misr reported that
announced that it will hold a million-man
another march is on its way to the High
march on Wednesday after Tarawih, night
Constitutional Court in Cairo's Maadi
prayers during the month of Ramadan,
district.
which ends between 10pm and 11pm.
Earlier on Wednesday, minor scuffles
The marches, dubbed as a day of
were reported in front of the cabinet
"determination" and calling for the release
building in downtown Cairo after Morsi
and reinstatement of deposed president
supporters marched there to denounce
Mohamed Morsi, will kick off from several
the newly-appointed government officials.
locations in Egypt's capital.
Pro-Morsi protesters have been staging
One march will move from Rabaa Al-
sit-ins and demonstrations around Cairo
Adawiya Mosque in Cairo's Nasr City,
over the past week calling for Morsi's
where Islamists have been staging a sit-in
reinstatement.
for almost 18 days, to the nearby
Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo’s
On Monday, seven people were killed and
the Nasr City district.
261 injured in overnight clashes between
Egyptian
police
and
pro-Morsi
Last week, a confrontation between
demonstrators in downtown Cairo and
military
Giza.
personnel
and
pro-Morsi
demonstrators outside the Republican
Guard building left over 50 protesters
The violence reportedly broke out late on
killed.
Monday after police forces fired teargas at
Morsi supporters who had blocked the 6
Sayfa 43
October Bridge and Ramses Street in
The appointments included figures who
downtown Cairo.
were once members in the policies
committee in the Mubarak National
On Tuesday, the Muslim Brotherhood
Democratic Party such as the new minister
issued a statement in response to the
of information Dorreya Sharaf El-Din.
clashes, accusing the police of returning to
its brutal practices prior to Egypt's January
Maher also demanded that the presidency
25 revolution. The statement further
announce the recently-formed Cabinet's
warned of a possible return to a
plan to achieve transparency.
"dictatorship police state" after the
"bloody coup d’etat."
The political activist said that the April 6
Youth
Movement
will
monitor
the
performance of the Cabinet and will
/1/64/76754/Egypt/Politics-
expose any attempts that compromise the
/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Morsi-supporters-
Egyptian revolution's goals.
hold-%E2%80%98millionmanmarch%E2%80%99-W.aspx
/1/64/76713/Egypt/Politics-/April--
April 6 rejects Mubarak-era ministers
in new Cabinet
Egypt's April 6 Youth Movement says it
will monitor performance of recentlyformed Cabinet and expose any action
rejects-Mubarakera-ministers-in-newCabinet.aspx
5. JORDAN and LEBANON
Beqaa residents worry after bombing
that comprises goals of revolution
A kilometer away from the town of Majdal
"How will those ministers achieve the
goals of a revolution that was against their
regime," said the group's founder Ahmed
Maher
in
Wednesday.
a
press
statement
on
Anjar in the eastern Beqaa Valley, a few
yards of scorched land were the only
indication that, less than 24 hours before,
one man had been killed and three others
wounded
when
their
convoy
was
Sayfa 44
ambushed. On Tuesday afternoon, while
“We heard it from here,” a gas station
two SUVs with fake license plates were
worker in Masnaa, 5 kilometers away from
heading toward the Masnaa border
the bombing location, told NOW. “Of
crossing, located just a few kilometers
course, people are scared. But now
away, an explosion shook the entire
everything is normal. There is no security
region.
measure taken, as you can see. The army
came only yesterday after the bombing.
There is no official information on who
They closed the road and investigated for
was targeted, but media reports quoting
around four hours, from around 2:30 PM
anonymous security sources say that the
until 7:00 PM, but that was all. They
two vans were transporting Hezbollah
always come after the bombings, but
officials to Syria. The wounded were
there is no safety patrol,” he explained.
initially transported to the public hospital
in Chtaura, but were later moved to a
Majdal Anjar is also one of the locations in
private hospital in Riyak (in the Baalbek
the Beqaa Valley where the Lebanese
region).
the
Army has been attacked by Salafist groups
Military Court Judge, Saqr Saqr, tasked the
in the past, in altercations unrelated to
military police and forensic experts to
the Syrian conflict. But after Hezbollah
investigate Tuesday’s Majdal Anjar blast.
officially announced its involvement in the
However, by the time NOW arrived at the
Syrian conflict alongside the Assad regime,
scene, the area was completely deserted.
Syrian rebel factions bombed the Party of
State
Commissioner
to
God’s positions in Hermel, and several
The Majdal Anjar bomb was placed
Hezbollah convoys were targeted on the
carefully in the road drainage channel – in
highway that links Beirut to the Syrian
an uninhabited area – and at a safe
border.
distance from the three gas stations
located in the region. According to local
On June 28, two blasts targeted a
witnesses, the explosion did not damage
Hezbollah convoy comprised of three
anything else but the convoy it targeted.
SUVs on the highway near Zahle. Earlier
that month, a roadside bomb exploded
near a van and BMW sedan on the same
Sayfa 45
highway on the outskirts of Taanayel, in
few hours, and then they all vanished into
the Beqaa Valley. In July this year, twin
thin air, as usual. The other bombings
roadside bombs – detonated minutes
were also far from here, in Hermel and in
apart – wounded a woman and two
Taanayel.” The woman continued, “But
soldiers
Hezbollah-controlled
you know what? We’re not afraid of
Hermel region. Even after all this activity,
bombings. We know they are not meant
no army patrol was found on the main
to kill bystanders. But they are killing us
highway in the Beqaa Valley. Local
economically,” she complains.
in
the
residents also noted that there were
never any safety patrols since the
Anjar, a predominantly Armenian town in
explosions in June.
the Beqaa Valley, located a few kilometers
away from the highway, was a popular
The owner of a sandwich shop located
tourist attraction in the region as it hosts
around 200 meters away from the
the ruins of a stronghold built by the
location of the recent explosion in Majdal
Umayyads. “We’re out of work in Anjar
Anjar
now. No tourists venture to see it
expressed
concern:
“We
are
definitely scared. Thank God it did not
anymore
because
of
this
security
explode here,” he said, after making sure
situation. We’re poor people, and poor
his name would not be mentioned. “Look
people always pay for everything,” she
at the traffic today, everything is normal.
complained angrily.
We’re just afraid of a confrontation, when
they might cut the road and start
On the same highway in Taanayel, an old
shooting,” he explained.
farmer displayed his potato crop for sale
in the exact spot where Tuesday’s bomb
A middle aged woman who says she owns
went off. When asked, the farmer was
a shopping center in Anjar was more
surprised to hear that a bomb exploded in
courageous in providing information.
the exact same location the day before. “I
However, she also refused to share her
came here yesterday from my village. I
name. “This was nothing,” she said. “Just a
know there was a bomb further away on
small bombing. It’s between them. The
the highway, but not here,” he said.
army came a little bit, investigated for a
Sayfa 46
The location of the explosion is also away
from
any
inhabited
area,
and
the
From a strictly legal perspective, there’s
improvised bomb was placed in the
no reason parliament cannot meet to
vicinity of the road. A few meters away,
extend the mandate of Army Commander
on the field that seems to be the town’s
General Jean Qahwaji, who is set to retire
demolition waste landfill, a group of
in September. The problem is entirely
nomads set up camp. “We came here two
political and may extend beyond Qahwaji.
days ago, we have no idea of any bomb.
Nobody warned us of anything,” one
Constitutional law expert Marwan Saqr
woman explains.
explained that the National Defense Law
stipulates a mandatory retirement age for
A Tanaayel resident also explains that
security officials. When Qahwaji turns 60
most people are quite scared in his town
in just over two months, he will legally
because they don’t see any security
have to leave office. The age ranges based
measures
on rank, and Saqr said that extending
to
protect
the
civilian
population. “What reassures us for the
Qahwaji’s
term
requires
parliament
moment is that they don’t seem to target
amending the law, which will also bestow
civilians and the bombs are small. They
extended terms on all security officials.
put them in the roadside ditches. I think
they are meant to scare people, not to kill
Convening parliament to do so, however,
them.”
is proving nearly impossible.
https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/reportsfea
According to article 69 of Lebanon’s
tures/beqaa-residents-worry-after-
constitution,
bombing
collapses (as it did in late March), the
when
the
government
parliament “is automatically considered in
The politics of a term extension
extraordinary
session
until
a
new
government has been formed and has
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji is
gained
the
parliament’s
confidence.”
at the center of a particularly fierce
Article 33, which defines an extraordinary
political storm
Sayfa 47
session, says nothing of the legislature
expressing opinions and rubber stamping
only discussing “urgent” draft laws.
[cabinet decisions].”
With this as his legal basis, Speaker Nabih
Indeed, Miqati and March 14’s argument
Berri has twice this month tried to bring
is that since the resigned government is in
parliament together but boycotts by
an
caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, the
capacity, parliament’s wings should be
March 14 coalition, and Michel Aoun’s
equally clipped. Berri, however, won’t
Free Patriotic Movement prevented the
budge and insists on having a normal
legislature from convening. Miqati and
session. Indeed, he is apparently even
March 14 argue parliament can only meet
searching for ways to avoid parliament all
to discuss urgent issues in the absence of
together.
essentially
powerless
caretaker
a government. Berri wants to discuss 45
draft laws.
Despite both sides appealing to the
constitution to justify their arguments, in
Saqr told NOW that “there’s nothing in
truth the fight over parliament’s agenda is
the legislation” stipulating parliament’s
about “tradition.” Since the end of the
powers when there is no government.
civil war, whenever Lebanon has been
without a government, parliament has
That said, Lebanon is a land governed by
been paralyzed. If Berri bucks that
both law and “tradition” (arf).
tradition now, a precedent is set, and it’s a
precedent that strengthens parliament at
Hilal Khashan, a political science professor
the expense of the cabinet. Imagine a
at the American University of Beirut,
future
explained that the 1989 Taif Accord, which
government is no longer a big deal
ended
because parliament continues humming
Lebanon’s
civil
war,
limited
parliament’s power and expanded the role
where
having
a
caretaker
along as if nothing is amiss.
of the cabinet.
On top of that, there’s the sectarian
“The cabinet is the true legislature,” he
dimension. Cabinet is the center of Sunni
said. “The parliament is a forum for
Sayfa 48
power whereas Parliament is the Shiite
Ashraf Rifi is re-instated. This, both
domain.
Khashan and Hanna said, seems to be a
belated acknowledgement of anger in the
Complicating matters are disagreements
Sunni community over the army’s crushing
over the actual extension of Qahwaji’s
of sheikh Ahmad al-Assir in Sidon and the
term.
alleged role of Hezbollah in helping the
Aoun
completely
rejects
the
extension. In fact, he wants Qahwaji
army.
replaced with his son-in-law who currently
heads
the
army’s
elite
commando
regiment.
“I don’t know if it was a political mistake
or not” for Future Movement leader Saad
Hariri to have initially supported the
Retired General Elias Hanna, who now
extension unconditionally only to later
teaches political science at several local
demand Rifi’s re-instatement, Khashan
universities, told NOW that avoiding a
said. “But knowing how Saad Hariri
fight with Aoun over Qahwaji’s successor
operates, his short political career is
is likely one of the reasons that all major
marked by an inundation of political
political parties except the FPM supports
mistakes. This fits the pattern of his
the extension, even if the March 14
political history.”
Christians are lukewarm to the idea.
It’s unclear whether or not Future’s move
is a subtle way of backtracking on
Qahwaji’s
extension,
knowing
their
opponents will never accept Rifi’s return.
Finally, President Michel Suleiman has
been curiously silent throughout this
debate. He hasn’t publically offered an
The Future Movement initially supported
an extension but then announced that
they would only vote for the extension if
retired Internal Security Forces chief
opinion on the extension. For Fadia Kiwan
– head of the political science department
at Université Saint-Joseph – Suleiman’s
silence is telling.
Sayfa 49
Sources told As-Safir newspaper on
“I think there is something more than the
Thursday
that
the
meeting
at
the
issue of Qahwaji’s mandate,” she said. “I
residence of Hezbollah minister Hussein
think there is a new reshaping of the
Haj Hassan included PSP ministers Ghazi
domestic political arena.”
Aridi, Wael Abu Faour and Alaaeddine
Terro and MP Akram Shehayeb, as well as
Kiwan thinks the Patriarch of the Maronite
Hezbollah ministers Mohammad Fneish
Church, in conjunction with the president,
and Hassan, in addition to MP Hassan
is pushing for more coordination among
Fadlallah.
the leading Christian political parties.
Recognizing
the
particularly
hateful
According to the report, the meeting
relationship between the Lebanese Forces
focused on the necessity of expediting the
and the FPM, she said the major parties
formation of a new national unity
“will never come to a consensus, but they
government
can be more cooperative – under the
anyone.”
“that
wouldn’t
exclude
auspices of the Patriarch – and agree on
redlines. This is a moment when the
It added that the meeting also highlighted
Christians can consolidate their positions
the importance of preserving security and
by being more autonomous [vis-à-vis their
stability in Lebanon and protecting the
non-Christian allies].”
Lebanese Armed Forces.
https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/reportsfea
The report also said that the two parties
tures/the-politics-of-a-term-extension
agreed to limit their differences over the
Syrian crisis and to prevent them from
Hezbollah-PSP meeting backs unity
government
causing negative repercussions.
“This could become a model that could be
Hezbollah and Progressive Socialist Party
replicated across Lebanon to prevent the
officials held a meeting to discuss issues
country
surrounding the formation of the new
disagreements over reactions to what is
government, a report said.
taking place in Syria,” the sources said.
from
sliding
into
internal
Sayfa 50
The PSP-Hezbollah meeting was preceded
Suleiman’s dialogue call prompts
mixed reactions
by a meeting that reportedly took place
between Free Patriotic Movement leader
Lebanese lawmakers reacted to the
MP Michel Aoun and Hezbollah Secretary
remarks
General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to
Suleiman in which he called for new
resolve differences that emerged recently
rounds of national dialogue.
made
by
President
Michel
over internal political stances, but also
over the involvement of Hezbollah in the
March 14 MP Boutros Harb said that
Syrian crisis.
dialogue should be attended by parties
who intend to engage wholeheartedly in
Lebanon is still awaiting the formation of a
it.
new government by Prime Ministerdesignate Tammam Salam after the
“The first rule is that those who attend
resignation
dialogue should be truthful, and that they
of
the
government
of
should sit at the table to engage in
caretaker PM Najib Miqati.
dialogue and not in maneuvering,” Harb
Hezbollah and the FPM are objecting to
said
in
remarks
published
by
Salam’s proposal, which is based on giving
Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday.
Al-
a third share to the opposing political
blocks – March 14 and March 8, and a
“So far, Hezbollah has attended the
third share to centrist powers. The two
national dialogue not to engage in
parties are requesting a ministerial share
dialogue but to impose its point of view.”
that
reflects
their
parliamentary
representation proportion.
The MP also voiced support for the call
made by Suleiman. He, however, called on
https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/lebanonne
the president to meet with Hezbollah
ws/hezbollah-psp-meeting-backs-unity-
prior to dialogue and discuss the latter’s
government
readiness to abide by the decisions that
might emerge from the dialogue sessions.
Sayfa 51
Another pro-March 14 lawmaker, Future
bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat told the daily that
Meanwhile, Lebanese Forces MP Fadi
dialogue was “essential” but should be
Karam
preceded by the formation of a new
effectiveness of dialogue.
voiced
pessimism
over
the
government.
“Maintaining
“[We
have]
no
preconditions
for
dialogue.”
contact
with
Hezbollah
through national dialogue has proven
through the years to be a waste of time,”
Karam said in remarks published by Al-
Kataeb bloc MP Samer Saadeh also
Joumhouria.
commented on Suleiman’s dialogue call,
saying in remarks published by the Beirut
He added that dialogue should only follow
daily that previous dialogue sessions have
the formation of a new government and
proven to be a failure.
the appointments that “would reactivate
the
He also criticized Hezbollah’s attitude
work
of
the
state
and
the
government.”
toward national dialogue, especially to the
provisions related to its weapons.
In turn, Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP
Kamel Rifai voiced hope that “the
“One of the conditions of dialogue is that
opposing party” will attend the dialogue
Hezbollah shows openness to discussions
session “without preconditions.”
and their results, and that it recognize that
the nation is for all and not for one party
“Preconditions and the imposition of a
and that the existence of weapons outside
certain methodology do not help in
the framework of the state should enjoy
launching dialogue,” the MP told the daily.
national consensus.”
In a speech delivered at the Baabda
The Kataeb MP, however, added that his
Presidential Palace during an Iftar dinner
party would not be “a stumbling block in
on Tuesday, Suleiman said that he was
the way of the initiative launched by the
willing to call for new national dialogue
president.”
sessions.
Sayfa 52
wealth,” a statement by Sleiman’s office
Lebanon’s national dialogue sessions that
said.
had been held repeatedly to discuss the
thorny issue of Hezbollah’s arsenal as well
“[The U.S. official] also expressed his
as the country’s defense strategy were
country’s desires to help Lebanon develop
interrupted after the March 14 coalition
its sector through the experience of U.S.
decided
[oil and gas] companies,” it added.
to
dominated
boycott
the
government
Hezbollah-
of
caretaker
Prime Minister Najib Miqati.
Hochstein is expected to hold a joint news
conference with Energy Minister Gebran
https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/lebanonne
Bassil after a meeting scheduled later this
ws/suleimans-dialogue-call-prompts-
afternoon.
mixed-mps-reactions
Lebanon and Israel both lay claim to
U.S. renews offer to help end
Lebanon, Israel EEZ dispute
roughly 850 square kilometers of sea that
is said to be rich in natural gas resources.
The U.S. has said it will help resolve the
BEIRUT: A senior U.S. diplomat has
issue.
renewed his government’s offer to help
mediate a dispute between Lebanon and
Bassil has raised the alarm over the past
Israel over an 850 kilometer offshore
weeks over Israel’s potential ability to
border area, Grand Serail sources said.
siphon
hydrocarbon
resources
from
Lebanon after the Jewish state made large
President Michel Sleiman and caretaker
gas discoveries in close proximity to
Prime Minister Najib Mikati met Deputy
Lebanon.
Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy
Amos J Hochstein Wednesday.
Following a visit by Hochstein in March,
the U.S. Embassy in Beirut said the official
“Hochstein
conveyed
his
country’s
renewed
support
for
the
Lebanese
support and readiness to help Lebanon,
government’s efforts to implement fair
praising what has been achieved already
and transparent regulations for Lebanon’s
[by Lebanon] regarding its oil and gas
Sayfa 53
energy sector and discussed Lebanon’s
“At the end, everyone sat at the [National]
maritime exclusive economic zone during
Dialogue table, but it was too late,”
meetings held with Parliament Speaker
Sleiman recalled.
Nabih Berri and Mikati
“Today, we are reminding everyone that
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Business/Leb
of the disastrous outcome [of war],” he
anon/2013/Jul-17/224008-us-renews-
warned, stressing the need to hold
offer-to-help-end-lebanon-israel-eez-
Dialogue sessions as soon as possible to
dispute.ashx#axzz2ZNnPySxj
ward off sectarian strife “during these
fateful moments.”
Sleiman rules out civil war in Lebanon
Sleiman, however, said a new government
BEIRUT: There are no signs of civil war in
must be formed before the all-party talks.
Lebanon despite ongoing violence in
neighboring
Sleiman
said
Syria,
in
President
remarks
Michel
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam
published
has been struggling since April to form a
Thursday.
new Cabinet which appears to be
growingly difficult given conditions and
"The question of a conflict and civil war in
counter-conditions set by the rival political
Lebanon is unlikely due to several
sides.
factors,” Sleiman told the local Beirut daily
Ad-Diyar.
On the Syrian crisis, Sleiman reiterated the
need for Lebanon to stay away from the
Among the factors he cited were the
Syria unrest.
awareness by the Lebanese that war
would only bring destruction, the price of
“The Syrian crisis went beyond Syrian
destruction and the lessons learned from
boundaries,” he said. “It has been
the 1975-90 Lebanese Civil War.
regionalized and internationalized.”
Addressing the various political parties in
Lebanon,
Sleiman
warned
that
“no
Sayfa 54
Lebanese can change the balance of
“So
far, the Iraqi government has
power established by the major powers.”
conducted intrusive inspections of some
Iranian planes bound for Syria, and in all
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politic
cases it was officially announced that
s/2013/Jul-18/224108-sleiman-rules-out-
these planes were not carrying military
civil-war-in-lebanon.ashx#axzz2ZNnPySxj
equipment, while in some cases they [Iraqi
officials] said [the planes] were carrying
6. SYRIA
food and medicine,” Araqchi said on
Wednesday.
Iran rejects claims about sending arms
to Syria
Araqchi said high-ranking Iraqi officials
and the inspection team have repeatedly
In October 2012, Iraq forced a Damascus-
said the same thing about Iranian planes
bound IranAir cargo plane from Tehran to
heading for Syria.
land and searched it for weapons, but
allowed it to continue as no prohibited
In an interview published by the London-
items were found onboard."
based Asharq al-Awsat on June 13, the
Iraqi minister said Baghdad started to
Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas
inspect Iranian and Syrian planes at
Araqchi has dismissed reports quoting
random last September, adding, “We have
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari as
found
saying that Tehran may be sending
equipment, medicine and food.”
non-lethal
materials,
like
weapons to Syria through Iraq’s airspace.
However, Zebari claimed, “Those planes
might be carrying other stuff, but we have
neither the deterrent means, nor the air
defenses and fighter jets to prevent ...
arms shipments.”
Sayfa 55
Under pressure from the United States,
Baghdad has searched several Syria-bound
Tens of Turkmen terrorists have been
Iranian planes.
arrested by the Syrian army troops in
different parts of Aleppo, the country’s
In April, Baghdad checked Iranian aircrafts
second largest city, Jahineh news website
for three consecutive days. The searches,
quoted an informed source as saying.
however, found nothing but humanitarian
aid and commercial goods.
A Salafi group named Marateb is in charge
of
recruiting
Salafi
elements
from
In October 2012, Iraq forced a Damascus-
Turkmenistan and other former Soviet
bound IranAir cargo plane from Tehran to
Union republics and dispatching them to
land and searched it for weapons, but
Northern Syria to join armed rebels in
allowed it to continue as no prohibited
those areas, the source said.
items were found onboard.
“And now the Syrian army has managed to
The foreign-sponsored unrest in Syria has
arrest tens of these Salafi elements,
taken its toll on the lives of many people,
including Roshan Gazakov,” he added.
including large numbers of Syrian soldiers
and security personnel, since March 2011.
The source explained that Gazakov, along
with his wife and five children, arrived in
Syria several months ago and as he was
314308/iran-rejects-sending-arms-to-
recruited by Marateb.
syria/
In June, the Russian television channels
Syrian Army Arrests Tens of Turkmen
Armed Rebels in Aleppo
showed that Syrian forces had arrested
Roshan Gazakov nicknamed Abu Abdollah,
the ringleader of an al-Qaeda-linked
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian army has
terrorist group who claimed to be a
arrested a large number of Turkmen
Turkmen national.
nationals fighting alongside the al-Qaeda
terrorists against President Bashar alAssad’s government, media reports said.
Sayfa 56
Gazakov said that he travelled from
Kurdish fighters "have taken near-total
Turkmenistan to Istanbul and then to
control of Ras al-Ain after fierce battles
borders with Syria where in an al-Qaeda
raged since (Tuesday) evening, pitting
camp he was trained on how to
(Kurds) against Al-Nusra Front, the Islamic
professionally make bombs by trainers
State of Iraq and Syria and other groups",
from former Soviet union, Europe, Jordan
said the Syrian Observatory for Human
and Qatar.
Rights.
Gazakov noted that he had a choice to
Ras al-Ain is home to a majority Kurdish
make between two terrorist groups of
population and is of strategic importance
Lava Ahrar al-Sham and Katibeh al-
given its location close to Turkey.
Mohajerin.
Its fighters are trying to ensure neither the
“The Syrian troops have gained access to
regime of President Bashar al-Assad nor
videos showing Gazakov training his young
the opposition takes control of its areas.
child on how to use Kalashnikov rifle and
also planting bombs in a car to be used
The clashes between Kurdish fighters and
later in suicide attacks,” the source added.
jihadists broke out after Al-Nusra Front
attacked a convoy of Kurdish women
fighters, said Observatory director Rami
x?nn=13920426001057
Abdel Rahman.
Jihadists expelled from flashpoint
Kurdish Syrian town: Activists
Nine jihadists and two Kurdish fighters
have been killed since battles erupted in
Ras al-Ain Tuesday, said the Observatory.
BEIRUT: Kurdish fighters have expelled
jihadists
from
the
Syrian
flashpoint
Activists in Ras al-Ain said members of the
frontier town of Ras al-Ain near Turkey,
jihadist groups had taken advantage of the
activists said Wednesday, adding that only
Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which
the border crossing remains under the
began last week, to try to impose their
extremists' control.
extreme version of Islam.
Sayfa 57
In the early days of the Syrian conflict,
But in his interview with the Telegraph,
when opponents of the Assad regime
general David Richards said: "If you
were desperate for assistance from any
wanted to have the material impact on
quarter, jihadist fighters were welcomed
the Syrian regime's calculations that some
but a spate of abuses has fuelled a major
people seek, a no-fly zone per se is
backlash.
insufficient.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middl
"You have to be able, as we did
e-East/2013/Jul-17/223986-syria-kurds-
successfully in Libya, to hit ground targets.
expel-jihadists-from-flashpoint-border-
You have to take out their air defences."
town-activists.ashx#axzz2ZNnPySxj
Richards stressed that a "ground control
London: Syria no-fly-zone would be
going to war
zone" would need to be established and
that tanks and armoured personnel
carriers would have to be "taken out".
British army boss warns attempts to
impose no-fly zone over Syria requires
"If you want to have the material effect
ground control.
that people seek you have to be able to hit
ground targets and so you would be going
LONDON - Britain's outgoing army chief
to war if that is what you want to do," he
has warned that attempts to impose a no-
added.
fly zone over Syria would be unsuccessful
without establishing ground control, in an
A lack of international consensus and the
interview published in Thursday's Daily
splintered nature of rebel forces made it
Telegraph.
difficult to forge a military solution, the
61-year-old general added.
Britain is at the forefront of international
efforts to topple the regime of President
Richards retires on Thursday after a
Bashar al-Assad, and has promised to
military career spanning more than 40
supply rebels with equipment to protect
years.
them against chemical weapons attacks.
Sayfa 58
prompting
authorities
and
main
British Foreign Secretary William Hague
opposition groups in the violence-wracked
has
Gulf kingdom to denounce the attack.
promised
lawmakers
government would seek
that
the
parliament's
consent before deciding to arm the rebels.
No one was injured in the blast, which
struck late Wednesday in the mosque
There has been concern that the weapons
parking lot during evening prayers. But it
could fall into the hands of radical Islamist
was a rare explosion near the site of the
opposition groups.
royal residences, pointing to widening
attacks by militant factions as part of the
Prime Minister David Cameron said last
29-month unrest.
month, however, that the government
reserved the right to intervene in Syria if it
Bahrain's majority Shiites are seeking a
felt Britain's national interests were under
greater political voice in the strategic
threat.
Sunni-ruled nation, home to the U.S.
Navy's 5th Fleet.
More than 100,000 people have been
killed since the uprising against Assad
The recent rise in bombings suggests
erupted in March 2011, according to the
breakaway militant factions now operate
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
outside the main Shiite political blocs.
http://www.middle-east-
The largest Shiite political group Al Wefaq
online.com/english/?id=60175
"condemned" the attack on Thursday.
Security officials called it a "terrorist" act.
7. ARABIAN PENINSULA AND THE
GULF OF BASRA
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middl
e-East/2013/Jul-18/224123-bahrain-
Bahrain rattled by bombing near
royal palaces
rattled-by-bombing-near-royalpalaces.ashx#axzz2ZNnPySxj
MANAMA: A bombing outside a mosque
near the royal palaces has rattled Bahrain,
Sayfa 59
Gulf states agree to blacklist
Hezbollah as terrorist group
left
at
least
93,000
people
killed,
The Arab Gulf countries have agreed to
Dhafir al-Ajmi, executive director of the
blacklist Hezbollah as a terrorist group,
Gulf Monitoring Group, said GCC should
but they are still studying ways to do that,
differentiate between Lebanese citizens
undersecretary of Bahrain’s Ministry of
who are sympathetic to Hezbollah and the
Foreign Affairs Hamad al-Amir told Al
group’s actual followers. He said the Gulf
Arabiya on Wednesday.
States’ action against Hezbollah may
according to U.N. report in June.
convince the group that “what is doing is
Gulf Cooperation Countries, which include
wrong and could affect a big portion of
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and
the Lebanese people.”
Oman were studying “correct measures”
on how to officially blacklist Hezbollah,
GCC has previously deported Lebanese
Amir said.
citizens under suspicion that they were
aiding Hezbollah.
Bahrain blacklisted Hezbollah in April,
becoming the first Arab state to do so
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/mid
after accusing the Lebanese group of
dle-east/2013/07/17/Gulf-states-agree-to-
backing and training radical Shiite groups
blacklist-Hezbollah-as-terrorist-group.html
working against Manama.
The decision by other Gulf countries came
after
Hezbollah
openly
declared
Al-Qaeda in Yemen confirms secondin-command killed by drone
its
military involvement in Syria, helping the
The second-in-command of al-Qaeda in
army of President Bashar al-Assad retake
the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has been
the town of Qusayr from rebel forces.
confirmed
dead,
AQAP
said
on
Wednesday.
The Syrian conflict started with peaceful
protests more than two years ago against
Said al-Shehri was killed in a U.S.-led
Assad but morphed into a civil war which
drone strike in Yemen, senior AQAP
official Ibrahim al-Rubaish said in a video
Sayfa 60
statement posted online, according to
the 2008 bombing of the U.S. embassy in
Reuters.
Yemen.
He did not say when the strike occurred.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/mid
dle-east/2013/07/17/Al-Qaeda-in-Yemen-
If the news is confirmed, Shehri would be
says-deputy-chief-killed-by-U-S-drone-
one of the highest ranking al-Qaeda
strike.html
officials in AQAP to be killed since the
organization first emerged.
This is believed to be the fourth time
Shehri, of Saudi origin, has been reported
8. AFGHANISTAN - PAKISTAN
Brother Of Afghan National Security
Adviser Shot Dead
killed.
Rangin Dadfar Spanta
Shehri was last reported killed in January
2013. The news was issued by the Yemeni
July 17, 2013
government and its state news agency,
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
and was confirmed by Mohammed alBasha, a spokesman for the Yemeni
Ahmad
Wali
Jaan,
the
brother
of
embassy in Washington, according to
Afghanistan's national security adviser,
Foreign Policy Magazine.
Rangin Dadfar Spanta, has been shot dead
in western province of Herat.
In 2009 it was announced that he was
killed by an American cruise missile and in
Regional police spokesman Abdul Rauf
September 2012, Yemeni news sites
Ahmadi told the AFP news agency that
reported he was eliminated by a U.S.
Jaan was attacked by two gunmen on a
drone strike.
motorbike as he came out of a public bath
in the small town of Karukh early on July
Shehri is reported to have been involved
17.
in the kidnapping of foreigners in Yemen
and was allegedly the mastermind behind
He said that the attackers escaped from
the scene.
Sayfa 61
took place at around 11:00 a.m. local
There was
no immediate
claim of
time," spokesman Rohullah Sammon told
responsibility.
Xinhua.
Wali was a public prosecutor in Karukh,
He said no member of police units were
which is close to Afghanistan's western
harmed in the incident in the city 100 km
border with Iran.
south of national capital Kabul.
Spanta served as Afghanistan's foreign
The Taliban-led insurgency has been
minister from 2006 until 2010 before
rampant since the militant group launched
becoming the national security adviser to
annual rebel offensive in April against
President Hamid Karzai.
Afghan government forces and about
98,000 NATO-led troops stationed in the
http://www.aopnews.com/today.html
country.
Based on reporting by AFP and
RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan
The Taliban urged civilians to stay away
from official gatherings, military convoys
and centers regarded as the legitimate
Twine blasts wound 12 in E. Afghanistan
targets by militants, besides warning
people not to support the government
GARDEZ, Afghanistan, July 17 (Xinhua) -Twelve
civilians
were
and foreign troops.
wounded
Wednesday morning in two successive
Earlier on Wednesday, the brother of
blasts in the eastern Afghan province of
Afghan National Security Council Chief,
Paktiya, said a provincial government
who serves as a district prosecutor, was
spokesman.
killed in a drive-by shooting in the western
province of Herat, 640 km west of Kabul.
"Two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
were detonated back-to- back when two
Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman,
police mobile were passing by Ghanzi-line
recently said that Taliban will step up their
and Khost- line areas of the provincial
capital Gardez city. The first explosion
Sayfa 62
attacks through the Muslim fasting month
of Ramadan staring from July 10.
On Sunday night, 12 people were also
been killed in an airstrike on Zarmat city in
Paktia province.
US-led operations kill 13 in eastern
Afghanistan
At least two people were killed and one
more injured on July 6, when US forces
launched an airborne assault on the city of
Press TV
Gardez, situated some 100 kilometers (62
July 17, 2013
miles) south of Kabul.
At least thirteen people have been killed
Reports say many people in Kunar
in two separate operations by the US-led
Province of eastern Afghanistan have left
forces in eastern Afghanistan, Press TV
their villages and sought refuge in other
reports.
provinces due to the rise in the number of
airstrikes by US-led forces.
An Afghan woman was shot dead on
Wednesday in a US-led military operation
The United States and its allies invaded
in the Gillan district in the country’s
Afghanistan in October 2001 as part of
Ghazni province, local officials said.
Washington’s so-called war on terror.
A probe has been launched into the US
The offensive removed the Taliban from
forces’ civilian killing.
power, but insecurity continues to rise
across the country, despite the presence
Meanwhile, reports said at least 12 people
of thousands of US-led troops.
were killed in a US airstrike on a village in
Logar province last night.
The airstrike came after a similar attack by
Afghan Interpreter Blames U.S.
Commandos For Killings, Torture
US-led forces killed ten people in the
Khogiani district of Ghazni province on
Monday.
July 16, 2013
Sayfa 63
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
An Afghan interpreter for U.S. Special
Forces who has been arrested by Afghan
authorities for killing and torturing Afghan
civilians has denied the allegations against
him.
British Foreign Secretary visits
Islamabad
Zakeria
ISLAMABAD, July 17 (Xinhua) -- British
Kandahari six weeks ago amid allegations
Foreign Secretary William Hague arrived in
he was involved in atrocities against
Wednesday for a two-day visit to discuss
civilians in the Nerkh district of Wardak
bilateral and regional issues, with anti-
Province, a strategically important area to
terror cooperation and Afghanistan high
the west of Kabul.
on the agenda, Pakistani state media
Afghan
authorities
detained
reported.
But, according to records being prepared
by Afghan investigators, Kandahari claims
The British Secretary of State will hold
he always acted on orders from the U.S.
official talks with the Adviser to the Prime
soldiers he worked with.
Minister on National Security and Foreign
Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
He also linked three U.S. commandoes to
the killings of Afghan civilians in Wardak
Radio Pakistan reported that the post-
Province in February.
withdrawal
Afghanistan
scenario,
engagements with Taliban and other
In the past, the Afghan government
militant groups, and measures to curb
described
terrorism in the region will be discussed.
Kandahari
as
an
Afghan-
American, although his exact background
remains unclear.
Afghanistan will be one of the important
issues to be discussed during Hague's visit.
The U.S. military says he is not a U.S.
citizen.
Britain and Pakistan have drawn a sixmonth program to promote reconciliation
Sayfa 64
in Afghanistan in a trilateral summit in
Khaama Press
London in February, which was also
attended by Afghan President Hamid
Afghan
president
Hamid
Karzai
on
Karzai.
Wednesday endorsed the Afghanistan
election commission formation, duties and
Hague arrived in Pakistan just two weeks
after
British
Prime
Minister
authorities.
David
Cameron's visit to country.
Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, Afghan parliament
house speaker on Wednesday said that
Cameron had promised Prime Minister
president Hamid Karzai has assured
Nawaz Sharif during his visit that Britain
regarding the endorsement of the election
will "stand together" with Pakistan in the
commission
formation,
fight against terrorism.
authorities
following
duties
a
and
telephone
conversation.
The British prime minister had also urged
Pakistan to cooperate in creating a stable
The parliament of Afghanistan on Monday
Afghanistan, as a prosperous, peaceful
approved the bill for Afghanistan election
and
law
democratic
Afghanistan
is
in
Pakistan's interest.
following
controversies
which
continued for several days. The law was
approved
by
joint
after
parliamentarian
Nawaz Sharif had assured Cameron that
commissions
differences
were
Pakistan will work together with President
resolved in the committee and was sent to
Karzai and Britain towards peace in
president Hamid Karzai for endorsement.
Afghanistan.
Head of the parliamentarian commission
on election law and lawmaker Asadulah
Sadati said that the controversial points of
Karzai endorses election commission
formation, duties and authorities
the electoral law included election of ten
nomad
representatives
in
Afghan
parliament, one representative of Hindus
By GHANIZADA - Wed Jul 17, 1:52 pm
and Sikhs and the number of women
Sayfa 65
representatives in provincial and district
“The Commission, based on the provisions
council.
of the law, is obliged and committed to
provide facilities for the participation of all
He said the controversial points were
people who are eligible to vote in the
resolved after eliminating the dedicated
electoral process,” added the IEC.
seat for Hindus, approving seats for
Nomads and accepting 20 percent seats
The IEC spokesperson, Noor Mohammad
for the women in provincial council.
Noor, said 30 staff members would be on
hand at the centre to respond to inquiries
in the Dari and Pashto languages from
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day.
Afghan election body starts telephone
hotline to answer poll queries
The call centre has been “one of our
biggest operations” in the lead up to
UNAMA
elections
since
the
country’s
first
presidential elections in 2004, said Mr.
17 July 2013 – The Independent Election
Noor.
Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan started a
toll-free telephone hotline in the capital,
At the height of the campaigning ahead of
Kabul, on Tuesday, to provide “correct
the 2009 presidential elections, similar
information” to the Afghan public on next
election hotline received up to 25,000
year’s Presidential and Provincial Council
calls a week.
elections, according to an IEC news
release.
Afghanistan
is
slated
Presidential
and
to
hold
Provincial
the
Council
IEC said the establishment of the call
elections on 5 April 2014. The United
centre is one of “various programs for
Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
different groups of the [Afghan] society in
(UNAMA) is mandated to support – at the
order to inform them of the voter
request of the Afghan authorities – the
registration process and of future phases
organization of the elections as well as to
of forthcoming elections.”
strengthen,
in
support
of
the
Sayfa 66
Government’s
own
efforts,
the
Anyone seeking information on the
sustainability, integrity and inclusiveness
electoral process can reach the call centre
of the electoral process and provide
by dialing the tell-number “190” from
capacity building and technical assistance
within Afghanistan.
to the Afghan institutions involved in this
process.
As well, the ELECT II (Enhancing Legal and
Today's Afghan News headlines
Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow II) project
of the UN Development Programme
UNAMA
(UNDP) has been providing long-term
assistance
to
the
IEC, focusing on
17 July 2013 - Karzai asks Saudi King to
institutional strengthening and capacity
help Afg, Pak government jointly fight
development,
overarching
terrorism; US has not responded Afghan
objective of supporting the national
pre-conditions for signing BSA - Khuram;
electoral institutions to plan and conduct
Sayaaf to run for presidency - source;
credible elections with minimal external
Secrete killing of women on rise in Herat;
support, and to better ensure the integrity
IEC welcomes approval of Election Law,
of the process.
but
with
an
calls
its
implementation
"problematic"; President’s Chief of Staff
UN officials have said in the past that a
accuses US and Pakistan of seeking to
smooth transfer of power through a
divide Afghanistan; End of Afghan crisis
transparent,
hinges on peaceful political transition -
election
next
credible
year
and
is
inclusive
critical
to
Afghanistan’s future. In a statement
Dobbins; Senators at odds over Loya Jirga
on BSA.
issued earlier this week, UNAMA said that
Afghan-led and Afghan-managed 2014
AFGHAN PRINT NTEWS
elections are central to Afghanistan's
“stable
and
sustainable
political
Pajhwok Afghan News
transition.”
Sayfa 67
Renowned Jihadi leader, Abdul Rab
On Tuesday, an association of 30 civil
Rassoul
society groups announced its presence in
Sayyaf,
would
contest
the
presidential vote, with Mohammad Qasim
Farah province.
Fahim and Mohammad Muhaqiq named
as his running mates, said a well-placed
During a press conference in Kabul, Rural
source. The decision was taken at a
Rehabilitation and Development, Wais
meeting of the National Coalition of
Barmak,
Afghanistan at the residence of Fahim on
international partners had vowed to fund
Monday
the ministry’s project until 2016.
evening.
The
meeting
was
said
that
Afghanistan’s
attended by Water and Energy Minister
Esmaeil Khan, Abdullah Abdullah, Yunus
Hasht-e-Subh Daily
Qanuni and other Jihadi leaders. The
nomination of Sayyaf was finalized and
Family of a victim publicly shot dead a
Fahim and Muhaqiq named as his
man after a ruling by a Taliban court in
deputies. Dr Abdullah and Qanuni were
Helmand province found him guilty over
asked to support the nominations, said a
murdering a local. The incident took place
member of the coalition on condition of
in a bazaar in Baaghran district. Locals
anonymity. But aides to Sayyaf and
confirmed that the man was involved in
Muhaqiq said that they were unaware of
several murder cases.
the decision. Abdullah refused to accept
the decision and said it had to be
Mandegar Daily
endorsed by the coalition, said the source.
The government with the support of ISAF,
Balkh Governor, Atta Mohammad Noor,
foiled
an
on Tuesday said that the approval of a
President Karzai. An international criminal
draft Law of Registration of Population
group consisted of 15 members which
Information was not acceptable for him,
wanted
adding that mention of ethnicity was the
detained. Members of the group include
right of every Afghan.
Chechen, Daghistan, Tajik, Pakistani and
to
assassination
assassinate
attempt
Karzai
on
were
Afghan nationals. A Rassuian military
official told a Russian news agency, RIA
Sayfa 68
Novosti that his country’s intelligence had
added that US side says that the above-
provided
in
mentioned Afghan conditions require an
relation to the terrorist group to the
annual approval by the US Congress. “The
Afghan Government.
US has explicitly told us that it does not
preliminary
information
guarantee
Anis Daily
to
fulfill
our
two
main
demands, which include ensuring security
and financial assistance. So far the
President Karzai sent a letter to Saudi
Americans have not told us if they can
King, asking him to guide Afghan and Pak
provide a specific amount of cash to us
governments to join hands in fight against
once the BSA is signed. But they insist that
terrorism so that peace and stability
they are sure that the Congress will
would be restored in both countries and in
approve it. But our question is that what
the region.
will happen if the Congress does not
approve it,” said Khuram. “The reason we
Radio Azadi, Dari page
want to sign the BSA with the US is that
we will not be attacked by any foreign
Officials at the Presidential Palace said
country and that the security of our
that so far the United States has not
people will be ensured inside the country.
guaranteed the restoration of stability in
If a foreign country fires rockets into our
the country and continuation of its
territory or drops bombs on us, if sending
assistance beyond 2014. On Tuesday, the
suicide bombers for killing our people
Chief of Staff of President Karzai’s Office,
continues, then we will not benefit from
Abdul Karim Khuram, told Radio Azadi that
signing such an agreement” , He added:
Afghanistan would not sign the Bilateral
Security Agreement (BSA) with the United
Voice of America, Dari page
States until it [the US] does not accept
Afghanistan’s
described
conditions.
restoration
peace
The provincial chief prosecutor in Herat,
and
Maria Bashir, said that an increase in
continuation of US’s financial assistance to
secrete killing of women in the province
Afghanistan’s
over
as
of
Khuram
Kabul’s
main
preconditions for signing the BSA. He
the
past
four
months
was
unprecedented. Bashir said that since the
Sayfa 69
beginning of the Afghan year in March,
hoped that the Saudi King will play a good
they had registered 11 women murder
role to this end by forcing Pakistan to
cases.
effectively fight against terrorism and
pushing it [Pakistan] to support the
State media editorials
Afghan peace process.
Hewad Daily
Private Media Editorials
President Karzai appealed to the Saudi
Mandegar Daily
Arabia’s King to encourage Pakistan to
effectively fight against terrorism and
Pointing to differences over use of
cooperate with Afghanistan in the peace
linguistic terminologies, the daily blames
talks. The appeal comes at a time when
the government for not making efforts to
unfair efforts by Pakistan and others
reduce
resulted in closure of the Taliban’s office
attempts for creating division among the
in Qatar, while Pakistan still trains
people. There is no need for questioning
terrorists and other militants to achieve its
why government’s policies are ethnical
goals. Pakistan has stepped up its efforts
dominated? However, the Parliament as a
as a result of which all Afghan peace
lawmaking and law defender institution
efforts were continuously failed as it has
[approving
been pushing the Taliban to not hold any
Population Information that includes no
talks with the Afghan Government. Under
appearance of ethnicity in the E-Tazkira]
the name of Afghan peace, Pakistan along
acted against the demands of the people.
with the Taliban and the US started a deal
Some lawmakers may think that rising of
in Qatar which was aimed at dividing
such issues may deepen distances among
Afghanistan, but the plot was thwarted
the ethnics in the country, but can identity
very quickly. The Saudi King can effectively
and ethnical disputes be resolved through
mediate
such mechanism or logics. Avoiding of
the
Afghan peace
process.
these
ethnical
Law
disputes,
of
tensions
Registration
instead
of
and
of
Afghan Government, from early stages,
these
finding
desired that instead of Qatar, Saudi Arabia
solutions, would mean fueling ethnical
would mediate the peace efforts. It is
discords. In the parliament those who are
Sayfa 70
affiliated with President Karzai tries to
assure government’s interests. It is not
important
for
them
that
lack
Outlook Afghanistan
of
appearance of ethnicity in the E-Tazkira
Majority
of
our
educated
and
will create a huge problem in the future
representative Afghans are also of the
and can increase ethnical distrusts.
view that ethnic differences should not be
much deepened and we all should be
Cheragh Daily
proud of being an Afghan, instead of
Pashtun, Tajik, Uzbek, Hazara or others.
The thing that has clearly existed during
Such a wise and mature thinking would
crisis in the country was the national
ensure a long term unity among the
consensus
country’s
different ethnicities of the country and it
occupation. Afghans have always proven
is hoped that our parliamentarians and
their courage for safeguarding their
leaders would also try to look at the
country’s territorial and national values
situation from the same angle.
against
the
and for giving good lessons to Pakistan for
its invisible interference in the country.
AFGHAN TV NEWS
Unfortunately, foreign forces, by trusting
Pakistan’s honesty in the fight against
Tolo TV Headlines
terrorism, have made Afghans motiveless
against Pakistan’s double policies in
On Tuesday, an official from the Ministry
Afghanistan. This has paved the way for
of mines suggested that nearly 1,400 small
Pakistan to take the control of peace and
and large mines throughout the country
war initiatives in Afghanistan and also
are being illegally operated by elites who
enabled it to again create discord among
act as though they are above the law. The
Afghans through its previous channels in
Minister added that anti-government
order to revenge it past defeat. Therefore,
armed oppositions and terrorist groups
the country’s leadership should learn
are benefiting from such illegal activities
lessons from the past and allow the
and in some cases police officials are also
people to remain united and to rebuild
involved. The Minister said that it had
their country.
submitted a list of those involved in illegal
Sayfa 71
mining to law enforcement groups three
months
ago.
The
Interior
Ministry
Sahar Gul, a 16-year-old child bride who
said:
“Based
on
the
was tortured by her in-laws, is seeking
information provided to this ministry,
justice from President Karzai. Sahar Gul
police have taken preventive measures in
accused
any
against
observing justice in her case. Last week
offenders.” Recently, the chief of audits at
the Kabul Appeal Court released those
the Ministry of Mines accused some MPs,
who were jailed for torturing Sahar Gul.
senators and local authorities of being
This was followed by harsh responses
involved in illegal mining, however the
from women’s rights institutions. The
ministry’s chief of staff said the assertions
head of Kabul Appeals Court said that
only reflected the personal views of the
their ruling on the Sahar Gul’s case was
chief auditor.
not the final word and that the Supreme
spokesperson
region
or
provinces
the
Appeals Court
of not
Court would issue the final verdict. “The
On Tuesday, the Independent Election
judge must consider how much pain I
Commission
the
faced, he should think if his own daughter
completion of the Election Law and the
was in my situation,” said Sahar Gul, who
Law governing the IEC. The head of the IEC
is currently living in a women’s shelter in
said that the new laws could create
Kabul.
(IEC)
welcomed
challenges to their activates, adding that
the body would arrange its remaining
On Tuesday, the Attorney General’s
activities in accordance to the new law
Office, in response to the punishment
once it is endorsed by the president and
announced by the Kabul Appeals Court for
published in the official gazette. UNAMA
Abdul Samad, the brother of Senator
urged President Karzai to rapidly endorse
Fawzia Sadat, said that a 20 years jail term
these laws. The spokesperson of the
was not adequate and that he actually
Ministry of Sate on Parliamentary Affairs
deserved
said that so far it had not received the
Samad, along with three others, had been
draft
UNAMA
charged with kidnapping and murder.
spokesperson urged “a rapid presidential
Officials of the Attorney General's office
endorsement and enactment of the laws.”
asked the court to render the toughest
electoral
laws.
A
capital
punishment.
Abdul
Sayfa 72
punishment possible for Samad. An official
two commissions, no solution has been
from the Attorney General's office said,
forecasted in the law,” said the Fazel
"The Attorney General believes that a 20
Ahmad Manawi, the IEC chairman. In the
year jail term for the convict is insufficient
meantime, some political parties urged
and it demands capital punishment for
President Karzai to endorse the laws as
him." The Supreme Court has started
soon as possible.
reassessing the judgments of the Primary
and Appellate Courts and is expected to
President Karzai’s Chief of Staff, Abdul
announce its final judgment soon.
Karim Khuram, accused Pakistan and the
United States of a conspiracy to divide
On Tuesday, a number of senators said
Afghanistan into two parts. Karim Khuram
that convening a Loya Jirga to ratify a
said that the Taliban office in Qatar was a
Bilateral
(BSA)
conspiracy and that the United States and
between Kabul and Washington was illegal
Pakistan were involved in the plot. He said
and would usurp the role of the National
that the United States had prepared a new
Assembly. They said that this Jirga should
plan for Afghanistan, but did not provide
not be held and called on President Karzai
any details. Khuram said that US plans in
to share national issues with the National
the past ten years in Afghanistan had
Assembly. Other Senators support the
failed and differences between the Afghan
Jirga.
Government and US officials had risen
Security
Agreement
even more than the past. Khuram added
1TV Headlines
that the US wanted to have permanent
military bases in Afghanistan, but it wants
The Independent Election Commission
the Afghan Government to officially
(IEC) welcomed the approval of the
request it through the Bilateral Security
Election Laws, saying there would be
Agreement
problems in implementation of the law.
Washington.
The IEC chairman said that, in the Election
Government was 100 per cent committed
Law, the Electoral Complaints Commission
to holding the upcoming presidential
(ECC) was considered a higher body than
election, but he expressed concern over
IEC. “If any problem arises between the
foreign meddling in the election.
(BSA)between
Khuram
Kabul
and
that
the
said
Sayfa 73
Development (MRRD) Wais Barmak said
The United States Special Envoy for
that in the past six months his ministry
Afghanistan and Pakistan, James Dobbins,
had spent 44 per cent of its development
said that if the political transition in
budget. He added that his ministry is
Afghanistan goes peacefully, the county’s
working on a new US$ 70 million
crisis would automatically end. He said
programme to continue or development
that the US would support a democratic
projects
Afghanistan. Dobbins reiterated that the
Reconstruction
people of Afghanistan need international
withdrawn.
aid and want to see terrorism defeated
development projects are underway in
and a strong US presence in their country.
nearly
He added that Washington would stay in
country.
in
250
areas
where
Teams
Barmak
districts
Provincial
have
said
already
that
3,206
throughout
the
Afghanistan to completely dismantle alQaeda.
The union of university teachers accused
certain foreign circles of interfering in the
Some civil society groups said that not
country’s higher education system. It also
mentioning
of
asked the Lower House of Parliament to
individuals on electronic ID cards was
quickly approve the Higher Education Law.
the
ethnic
identity
unconstitutional. These groups called the
Lower House's decision inhuman and a
A number of Kabul University teachers
violation of human rights.
again warned that they would again
resume their protests if the one-month
Shamshad TV Headlines
deadline set by President Karzai for
addressing
MPs opposing a Loya Jirga said that if the
teachers’
demands
ends
without bearing results.
Government wants to have people’s views
then it should consult senators and MPs
The Federation of Civil Society Institutions
since they were elected by the people.
asked the Attorney-General’s Office and
the
Afghanistan
Investment
Support
Speaking at a press conference, the
Agency (AISA) to solve the legal problems
Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and
that
have
arisen
between
Afghan
Sayfa 74
companies and the Supreme Group, a
foreign logistics company. Members of the
federation warned that they would stage
civil and peaceful demonstrations across
the country if Supreme Group does pay
what it allegedly owes, US$ 22 million.
Provincial
officials
and
farmers
of
50 per cent increase in their wheat
harvests.
Officials of the Afghanistan Independent
Rights
Commission
in
Middle East Research Assistant Nebahat
Tanrıverdi O Yaşar. It covers news and
commentaries as reported by the national
Helmand province said there has been a
Human
*This media summary is prepared by ORSAM
the
country’s north said that due to rampant
corruption the level of violence against
women has risen in northern provinces.
Officials of provincial judiciary institutions
in Kandahar rejected a recent report
media sources publishing in the Middle
Eastern countries. The views expressed are not
those of ORSAM and their inclusion does not
imply factual accuracy.
*Bu
bülten
ORSAM
Ortadoğu
Uzman
Yardımcısı Nebahat Tanrıverdi O Yaşar
tarafından hazırlanmaktadır. Bülten Ortadoğu
ülkelerinin
yerel
derlenmektedir.
haber
Belirtilen
kaynaklarından
görüşler
bölge
ülkelerinin haber kaynaklarına ve ismi geçen
yazarlara
ait
olup
ORSAM’ın
görüşünü
yansıtmamaktadır.
released by Transparency International
which said that Afghans view their judges
as the most corrupt officials in the land.
Two local policemen were killed by Taliban
in Kunduz province.
Sayfa 75

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