30 January 2015
MIDDLE EAST DAILY BULLETIN 30 JANUARY 2015 NO: 1881 1. IRAQ, .................................................................................................................................... 4 Parliament adjourns session till February 10th ............................................................................4 Kurdish MP: Blocs settle disputes over Budget law .....................................................................4 Hamoudi: Crises unified Iraqi people ...........................................................................................4 Damaluji accuses SLC of hindering budget endorsement ............................................................4 MEA resumes flights to Baghdad Airport .....................................................................................5 Parliament approves financial budgets allocated for Parliament, SJC .........................................5 Iran resumes talks over its nuclear program in Istanbul ..............................................................5 Parliament votes for employees national savings system ...........................................................5 Parliament approves budget law draft.........................................................................................6 International Coalition launches 19 new raids on ISIS .................................................................6 Audio message by the Japanese hostage demands releasing Rishawi otherwise Kasasbeh would be killed .....................................................................................................................................6 British report: ISIS will continue as long as there is no unified plan to defeat it .........................6 Parliamentary consensus to pass the budget at today's meeting ...............................................7 Jubouri: Three dispute points among the various blocs solved and the budget will be approved today ....................................................................................................................................7 More than 20 ISIL terrorists killed in Hamrin hills ........................................................................7 Over 20,000 foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq .............................................................................8 Top ISIL commander, aides killed in Iraq’s Salahuddin ................................................................8 Kurdish blocs meet to discuss vote on budget .............................................................................8 Council of Ministers meeting postponed .....................................................................................8 Iraq’s Parliament Approves 2015 Budget Following Oil Price Debate .........................................9 IS destroys 10 Saddam-era palaces in Iraq ...................................................................................9 Iraq government vows to investigate Diyala massacre ................................................................9 2. SYRIA ...................................................................................................................................10 Syria opposition embassy in Qatar renews passports............................................................... 10 Raqqa: 'It is a very sad life under ISIL' ....................................................................................... 10 Syria Kurds kill 22 militants around Kobane .............................................................................. 10 US Has Drastically Reduced Funding for Syrian Rebels: Daily Beast ......................................... 11 Both Sides in Moscow-Hosted Syria Talks Agree To Meet Again .............................................. 11 EU steps up humanitarian assistance to Syria crisis .................................................................. 11 Belgium Conducts Anti-Terror Raids, Detains 4 Suspected Of Recruiting Jihadists For Syria ... 12 ISIS shoots down Syria warplane ............................................................................................... 12 Syria talks end with agreement to meet again.......................................................................... 12 IRAN ....................................................................................................................................13 New Iran U.N. envoy expected to get U.S. visa: sources........................................................... 13 FM: Iran-Afghanistan Relations to Benefit Regional Security ................................................... 13 Iran-Russia cooperation over Syria fruitful ............................................................................... 13 Iranian President Stresses Further Expansion of Ties with Greece ........................................... 13 3. Sayfa 1 4. Dublin Eager to Broaden Ties with Tehran................................................................................ 14 No sign of progress in talks ....................................................................................................... 14 Iran has to reach new horizons in space technology ................................................................ 14 Iran’s status at SCO to improve ................................................................................................. 14 ISRAEL – PALESTINE..............................................................................................................15 Netanyahu warns Hezbollah will pay 'full price' ....................................................................... 15 Hezbollah sends message to Israel ‘conflict is over’ ................................................................. 15 Israel reduces energy supplies to Palestinians .......................................................................... 15 Spain: Israeli fire killed peacekeeper in south Lebanon ............................................................ 15 Israel to build 430 new West Bank settler homes..................................................................... 16 Israel reduces energy supplies to Palestinians .......................................................................... 16 NGO: Israel to build 430 new West Bank settler homes ........................................................... 16 Senators pledge not to support Palestinian aid until US reviews ICC bid ................................. 16 'Israeli who joined Syria al-Qaida group was urged to return and carry out attacks on Jewish state' .................................................................................................................................................. 17 Israel halts program to end night-time arrests of children ....................................................... 17 Hamas official demands opening of Gaza seaport .................................................................... 17 Japan grants $100,000 to Bethlehem Water Network Rehabilitation ...................................... 17 Kerem Shalom opened to allow goods into Gaza Strip ............................................................. 18 EU Delegation Hails PA’s Accession to Rome Statue................................................................. 18 5. JORDAN and LEBANON.........................................................................................................18 IS issues new deadline to kill Jordanian pilot if demand not met ............................................. 18 Jordan wants to see proof pilot alive before exchange ............................................................ 18 Japan, Jordan working closely on fate of hostage ..................................................................... 19 Jordan insists on proof of life before any swap to free IS-held pilot ........................................ 19 Jordan celebrates King’s birthday ............................................................................................. 19 Lawmakers call for ‘firm collective stand’ to abort IS’ ploy ...................................................... 19 Border guards receive 45 new Syrian refugees ......................................................................... 20 Lebanon to lodge complaint over Israel's deadly border shelling ............................................ 20 Iranian commander visited Lebanon to honor Qunaitra victims .............................................. 20 Hezbollah-Future dialogue tackles Resistance Brigades ........................................................... 20 ARABIAN PENINSULA AND THE GULF OF BASRA ....................................................................21 Kuwait online activists arrested 'over Saudi criticism' .............................................................. 21 New Saudi king announces sweeping cabinet shake-up ........................................................... 21 Spain’s former king in Riyadh to express condolences ............................................................. 21 Yemen’s Houthi rebels detain student protestors .................................................................... 21 Saudi King Salman issues major royal orders ............................................................................ 22 Al-Qaeda Militants Kill 2 Yemeni Soldiers in Marib ................................................................... 22 New US envoy committed to boosting ‘vital partnership’ with Bahrain .................................. 22 New Saudi king announces major government shake-up ......................................................... 23 EGYPT ..................................................................................................................................23 Women protest against Egypt police after fatal shooting ........................................................ 23 Deadly Sinai attacks force Sisi to cut short overseas trip .......................................................... 23 Egypt women protest killing of Shaima Sabbagh ...................................................................... 24 6. 7. Sayfa 2 Two Children Killed in Sinai Clashes a Day After Deadly Wave of Attacks ................................ 24 At least 26 killed, more than 100 wounded in North Sinai rocket attack ................................. 24 Sisi cuts short AU visit following Sinai attack ............................................................................ 25 Egypt expresses 'utter surprise' over UN criticism .................................................................... 25 Egyptian Islamic State group affiliate claims deadly Sinai attacks: AFP .................................... 25 HEC to accept applications for Egypt parliament candidacy starting 8 February ..................... 25 Minister: Egypt considers cutting fuel subsidies by LE20 bln next year.................................... 26 US condemns deadly attacks in Egypt's North Sinai ................................................................. 26 NORTH AFRICA.....................................................................................................................26 Libyan airline suspends flights ................................................................................................... 26 Libya rivals to join peace talks if held on home soil .................................................................. 26 Libya: 'We're fed up with fighting' ............................................................................................ 27 Tripoli's GNC to Take Part in UN Peace Talks "if Held in Libya" ................................................ 27 AU backs political solution for Libya ......................................................................................... 27 Tunisia dismantles terror network ............................................................................................ 28 Islamic finance forum opens in Morocco .................................................................................. 28 "Dialogue, only way to find solution to Libyan crisis" (FM Hamdi) ........................................... 28 Tunisia to host two African institutions .................................................................................... 28 Caid Essebsi arrives in Addis Ababa to take part in AU Summit................................................ 29 AFGHANISTAN – PAKISTAN ..................................................................................................29 8. 9. Police arrest suspected target killer in Karachi ......................................................................... 29 Three US contractors killed in "insider attack" in Afghanistan ................................................. 29 Altaf Hussain University belongs to all Pakistanis: MQM supremo .......................................... 30 Security situation has improved in Karachi, says PM ................................................................ 30 Electoral Reform Proposed from Outside IEC not Acceptable: Barmak.................................... 30 Provincial Councils Warn of Nationwide Protest Because of Election Law ............................... 30 Taliban Attack in Ghazni Leaves 11 Residents Dead ................................................................. 31 10. TURKEY AND THE MIDDLE EAST ............................................................................................31 Lebanon, Turkey Resume Baghdad Flights After Shooting Incident ......................................... 31 EU3 set to begin nuclear talks in Turkey ................................................................................... 31 Turkey extends a helping hand to Turkmens ............................................................................ 32 Sayfa 3 1. IRAQ, Parliament adjourns session till February 10th The Iraqi Parliament adjourned its regular session of Thursday after approving the 2015 budget law draft till next February 10th. More Details: http://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/urgent-parliament-adjourns-session-till-february-10th/ Kurdish MP: Blocs settle disputes over Budget law Kurdish MP, Majid Shinkali, revealed that the political blocs settled the disputes over the Budget Law of 2015. Speaking to AIN, he said "Blocs settled the disputes over the oil exports through Kurdistan Region, allocations for the volunteers who fight ISIL and the funds for the National Reconciliation Project." More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/63807-kurdish-mp-blocs-settle-disputesover-budget-law.html Hamoudi: Crises unified Iraqi people The First Deputy Speaker, Humam Hamoudi, assured that the crises in Iraq unified the Iraqi people. A statement by Hamoudi's office received by AIN cited "Hamoudi received a UN delegation in Baghdad where they discussed the latest security and political updates in Iraq and the region." More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/63790-hamoudi-crises-unified-iraqipeople.html Damaluji accuses SLC of hindering budget endorsement MP, Maysoun al-Damaluji, of the National Bloc accused some sides within the State of Law Coalition of hindering the endorsement of the Budget law of 2015. She stated to AIN "The National Alliance is adherent to the oil agreement between the Central Government and Kurdistan Region where the SLC aims at hindering this agreement to foil the new government." More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/63785-damaluji-accuses-slc-of-hinderingbudget-endorsement.html Sayfa 4 MEA resumes flights to Baghdad Airport Informed source confirmed to Alforat News Agency that Middle East Airlines resumed its flights to Baghdad International Airport on Thursday. More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/63800-mea-resumes-flights-to-baghdadairport.html Parliament approves financial budgets allocated for Parliament, SJC Parliament approved the financial budgets allocated for parliament and the Supreme Judicial Council within the Budget Law of 2015. More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/63812-parliament-approves-financialbudgets-allocated-for-parliament-sjc.html Iran resumes talks over its nuclear program in Istanbul Iran's nuclear negotiations team resumed talks with three European Union (EU) countries in Istanbul Thursday. According to IRNA, the talks are conducted at deputy and expert levels with representatives of Germany, France and the UK. Iranian Foreign Ministry Deputies for International Affairs Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht Ravanchi are to hold talks with their British, French and German counterparts Simon Gass, Nicolas Dorier and Hans-Dieter Lucas respectively. Director of the Political and International Security Department of the Foreign Ministry Hamid Baeedinejad, Foreign Minister's Advisor Davood Mahammadnia as well as two officials from Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Amiri and Pejman Rahimian are other members of the Iranian negotiating team. More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/63802-iran-resumes-talks-over-itsnuclear-program-in-istanbul-.html Parliament votes for employees national savings system The Iraqi Parliament voted for the item enlisted within the budget law draft related to participation of the employees of the state in supporting the security forces in their war against terrorism through adopting The National Savings System for the employees of the state to be issued by the Council of Ministers. More Details: Sayfa 5 http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/63824-urgent-parliament-votes-foremployees-national-savings-system-.html Parliament approves budget law draft The Iraqi Parliament approved on Thursday evening the 2015 budget law draft with IQD 119 Trillion value and a deficit of IQD 25 trillion. The law draft included 60 articles. More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/63827-urgent-parliament-approvesbudget-law-draft-.html International Coalition launches 19 new raids on ISIS US-led international coalition forces launched 19 new air strikes on sites of the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria “ISIS” organization over the past 24 hours . The joint command of the operation said in a statement that the fighter and unmanned aircraft launched 13 raids in Syria and six raids in Iraq. In Syria raids centered on (Kobanî) border city with Iraq, targeting 12 tactical units , a vehicle and destroyed nine combat positions in addition to the destruction of buildings belonging to ISIS organization . More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/13070-international-coalition-launches-19-new-raidson-isis Audio message by the Japanese hostage demands releasing Rishawi otherwise Kasasbeh would be killed An audio message attributed to the Japanese hostage , Kenji Goto said that the Jordanian pilot who is being held by ISIS terrorist organization will be killed if the Iraqi prisoner is not released by the Jordanian authorities before sunset on Thursday. It was not possible to ensure the authenticity of the letter, which was published early Thursday. While the spokesman of the Japanese Prime Minister , Shinzo Abe said that the government is analyzing the audio recording. More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/13071-audio-message-by-the-japanese-hostagedemands-releasing-rishawi-otherwise-kasasbeh-would-be-killed British report: ISIS will continue as long as there is no unified plan to defeat it The Independent British newspaper believed on Thursday, that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria “ISIS” terrorist organization will continue in Iraq and Syria, "as long as its enemies failed to reach a Sayfa 6 common plan" to eliminate it. The report says that ISIS organization remained steadfast despite attempts to tackle it and still controls large land in Iraq, Syria, areas larger than the size of Britain." More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/13072-british-report-isis-will-continue-as-long-asthere-is-no-unified-plan-to-defeat-it Parliamentary consensus to pass the budget at today's meeting A parliamentary source said on Thursday, that all parliamentary blocs have assembled to pass the financial budget law for the current year at the meeting, which will be held today. The source told “Shafaq News", that "The blocs affiliated to the National Alliance, Kurdish blocs, the National Forces Alliance and other blocs will vote on the budget." More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/13076-parliamentary-consensus-to-pass-the-budgetat-today-s-meeting Jubouri: Three dispute points among the various blocs solved and the budget will be approved today The Speaker of the Parliament , Saleem al-Jubouri announced on Thursday, that the three contention points among the parliamentary blocs on the approval of the financial budget for the current year have been solved. Jubouri said in a joint press conference with Minister of Interior , Mohammed Salem al-Ghaban attended by "Shafaq News", that "There are three points of dispute in the budget and I can say that they have been resolved among the various blocs, leaving only the formulation of writing those points." More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/13083-jubouri-three-dispute-points-among-thevarious-blocs-solved-and-the-budget-will-be-approved-today More than 20 ISIL terrorists killed in Hamrin hills Dijla Operations Commander Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir al-Zaidi, announced the killing of 21 terrorists belonging to the so called the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in clashes in the hills of Hamrin, northeast of Baquba. Zaidi said in a statement posted on the Interior Ministry site said that violent clashes broke out between the army and the Armed Volunteers with ISIL terrorists in Hamrin hills northeast of Baquba and resulted in killing 21 of the terrorists. More Details: Sayfa 7 http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=28404 Over 20,000 foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq The number of foreign fighters who went to Iraq and Syria has reached around 20,000, according King’s College London. A report prepared by ICSR, the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, at King’s College London said that more than 20,000 foreigners went to fight in Iraq and Syria, including about 4,000 from Western Europe and about 3,000 from former Soviet Union countries. Fifty countries were monitored during the research. The number of foreign fighters who travelled to Iraq and Syria is estimated to be 20,730, including about 11,000 people from the Middle East, according to ICSR director Peter Neumann. More Details: http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=28405 Top ISIL commander, aides killed in Iraq’s Salahuddin A senior commander of the ISIL Takfiri militant group has been killed together with a dozen of his comrades during a missile strike carried out by the Iraqi army in the troubled northern province of Salahuddin. “The Army’s intelligence forces have confirmed the death of the ISIL military commander of al-Sharqat and al-Alam areas, identified as Abu Qatada, during a missile strike that targeted the headquarters of the ISIL group in Salahuddin Province,” Iraqi News website cited a statement released by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense on Wednesday. More Details: http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=28406 Kurdish blocs meet to discuss vote on budget Kurdish blocs in the Council of Representatives began meeting on today to discuss the vote on the budget for 2015. MP from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Bakhtiar Shaways told PUKmedia today that the issue of the budget is sensitive and affects all economic and security fields for that reason all Kurdish MPs must discuss it. More Details: http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=28408 Council of Ministers meeting postponed A parliamentary source said that the meeting of the Council of the Ministers to vote on the budget was postponed to five o'clock of this evening. The atmosphere in the Council of Representatives is Sayfa 8 dominated by an atmosphere of optimism, the source told PUKmedia. Dialogues between the various blocs to reach an agreement on the draft budget law are ongoing, he added. More Details: http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=28413 Iraq’s Parliament Approves 2015 Budget Following Oil Price Debate Iraq’s parliament has approved the country’s 2015 budget following weeks of debate on lower oil prices and how to write in a landmark oil export deal reached last year between Baghdad and the northern Kurdistan region. The budget is based on $56 a barrel of crude, lowered from $60 a barrel in earlier drafts. Despite lower projected revenues from oil sales, the budget projects a deficit of $20 billion compared with $40 billion in an earlier version. More Details: http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=28414 IS destroys 10 Saddam-era palaces in Iraq Baghdad: Islamic State (IS) militants blew up 10 palaces from the Saddam Hussein era (1979-2003) in the Iraqi city of Tikrit, the birthplace of Hussein, the late president of the country. According to police sources, among the palaces destroyed was Al Faruq, the largest presidential palace, which was built in Tikrit, the capital of the Saladin province, 170 km north of Iraq's capital city of Baghdad. The other buildings were being used as government offices by the provincial authorities until Tikrit was captured last June by the IS, the sources added. Witnesses said many IS fighters departed the city carrying weapons and furniture towards the town of Alm, 15 km northeast of the city. More Details: http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=28417 Iraq government vows to investigate Diyala massacre The Iraqi government vowed Thursday to investigate accusations backed by eyewitness accounts that Shiite militias massacred more than 70 Sunni villagers during an operation against jihadists in Diyala province. Survivors and Sunni officials say the massacre took place on Monday in Barwana as soldiers and allied militias wrapped up an operation to expel Islamic State (IS) jihadists from their last urban bastion in Diyala. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69937 Sayfa 9 2. SYRIA Syria opposition embassy in Qatar renews passports Syria's opposition "embassy" in Qatar began Thursday to renew expired passports for some of the estimated 60,000 Syrians living in the tiny Gulf country, its chief said. Nizar Haraki, the opposition envoy, said this would help thousands of Syrians who fled the country to escape the conflict, which has killed at least 200,000 people since it erupted in 2011. It was not immediately clear whether the service would extend to Syrians living elsewhere. About half the country's people have fled their homes since the war broke out, with the United Nations saying 3.8 million of them are refugees, mostly in neighbouring countries. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69941 Raqqa: 'It is a very sad life under ISIL' A year since the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took control of its de facto capital, Raqqa, located east of Aleppo, locals say the group is taking on the trappings of a government. But many of those who fled the city, told Al Jazeera that locals resent the group's meticulous control over public life, and live in a state of constant fear. "We hate them. Except for a few people who benefit from them personally, we do not want them around," said a shop owner who moved to Turkey six months ago from Raqqa, asking for his name not be used. More Details: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2015/01/raqqa-sad-life-isil-201511110501184890.html Syria Kurds kill 22 militants around Kobane Kurdish fighters killed 22 jihadists around Kobane Thursday, days after recapturing the Syrian town, but the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group still controls hundreds of villages in the area, a monitor said. “Nineteen ISIS members were killed in fighting against the (Kurdish) People’s Protection Units (YPG) in the hills surrounding Manaz to the west of Kobane,” said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/01/30/Syria-Kurds-kill-22-militants-aroundKobane-.html Sayfa 10 US Has Drastically Reduced Funding for Syrian Rebels: Daily Beast Over the past few months, the United States has significantly reduced its funding of the so-called moderate Syrian rebel groups, the Daily Beast revealed on Tuesday. The Daily Beast reported that funding was cut to several groups for what the US deemed to be unsatisfactory performance on the ground. It cited an instance when US-backed militants in Syria’s Idlib province were defeated by the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front in October. Following the defeat, Washington immediately cut off funding for the group, eliminating them from the “ratified militias” list, which included up to 16 groups at the time. Twelve remaining groups have since seen cuts or complete suspension of their funding. More Details: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/us-has-drastically-reduced-funding-syrian-rebels-daily-beast Both Sides in Moscow-Hosted Syria Talks Agree To Meet Again Representatives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and opposition figures have agreed to hold another round of talks in Moscow, moderator Vitaly Naumkin said on Thursday, but the date had not yet been set. "It would have been naive to expect that the sides would solve all problems during their very first consultations," he said. The 32 members of various opposition groups tolerated by the authorities in Damascus and six members of the official Syrian delegation led by the ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari took part in the talks, as a Russian initiative to revive stalled peace efforts in the four-year conflict. More Details: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/both-sides-moscow-hosted-syria-talks-agree-meet-again EU steps up humanitarian assistance to Syria crisis With the humanitarian situation worsening every day, growing numbers of people inside Syria and refugees in neighbouring countries are in need of assistance. The European Union is increasing its assistance to the Syria crisis by €136 million in humanitarian funding, half of which will go to needs inside Syria, and the other half to Syrian refugees and host communities in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. The funding was announced as Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, and Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement NegotiationsJohannes Hahn, are in Lebanon and Jordan on a joint visit to discuss the growing needs of Syrian refugees and the growing burden on neighbouring countries. More Details: Sayfa 11 http://www.wiredgov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/EU+steps+up+humanitarian+assistance+to+Syria+crisis+300120151145 35? Belgium Conducts Anti-Terror Raids, Detains 4 Suspected Of Recruiting Jihadists For Syria Belgian authorities conducted anti-terror raids early Friday and detained four people, suspected to be linked with the recruitment of potential fighters for Syria. The Belgian police searched 22 homes, mostly in the northeastern parts of the country, but did not find any weapons, explosives or ammunition, media reports said. The federal prosecutor’s office said, in a statement, that the raids were aimed at "uncovering the organization behind the recruitment and sending" of people to Syria, The Associated Press (AP) reported. However, authorities insisted that the raids had nothing to do with the Paris attacks, which killed 20 people, including three attackers, earlier this month. More Details: http://www.ibtimes.com/belgium-conducts-anti-terror-raids-detains-4-suspected-recruitingjihadists-syria-1800160? ISIS shoots down Syria warplane ISIS has shot down a Syrian regime warplane that was bombing opposition-held areas, killing the pilot, a monitoring group said on Friday. Jihadists published photographs of the plane and the pilot's body on social media sites following the crash on Thursday night in Damascus province that was claimed by ISIS. The jihadist group and rebel factions seeking President Bashar Assad's overthrow have frequently brought down regime warplanes. More Details: http://www.news24.com/World/News/ISIS-shoots-down-Syria-warplane-20150130? Syria talks end with agreement to meet again Representatives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and opposition figures agreed yesterday to hold another round in Moscow, Russian moderator Vitaly Naumkin said, but no date was set. The talks, a Russian initiative to revive stalled peace efforts in Syria’s four-year-old civil war, were shunned by the main Syrian political opposition, and participants came together to adopt a series of points that largely represent Russia’s own position on the violence. Moscow is a key backer of Assad. Naumkin, an academic, said the sides agreed to join forces over the threat of terrorism in Syria, where Islamic State insurgents have taken over wide swathes of territory, though Moscow has described numerous other anti-Assad groups fighting in the country as “terrorists”. More Details: Sayfa 12 http://www.albawaba.com/news/syria-talks-end-agreement-meet-again-650548? 3. IRAN New Iran U.N. envoy expected to get U.S. visa: sources Iran’s newly appointed U.N. ambassador is set to receive a U.S. visa so he can take up that key post, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday, likely removing a major strain on Tehran's tense relations with Washington. Washington had infuriated Iran’s leadership last year by rejecting its previous appointee as head of its sole diplomatic mission on U.S. soil over his suspected role in a 1979-81 hostage crisis. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/01/29/New-Iran-U-N-envoy-expected-toget-U-S-visa-sources.html FM: Iran-Afghanistan Relations to Benefit Regional Security Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a phone conversation with his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani underlined that development of ties between Tehran and Kabul can serve regional security. More Details: http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13931109000572 Iran-Russia cooperation over Syria fruitful A senior Iranian official says cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Russia over Syria has borne fruit. “Iran-Russia regional cooperation over Syria has yielded positive results,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. More Details: http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/01/30/395348/Iran-Russia-cooperated-well-on-Syria Iranian President Stresses Further Expansion of Ties with Greece In a message on Wednesday, Rouhani felicitated Greece's new Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on winning the Greek general election. He also expressed the hope that Tehran-Athens bilateral, regional and international relations and cooperation would further bolster and develop. More Details: Sayfa 13 http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13931109000287 Dublin Eager to Broaden Ties with Tehran Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney in a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi underlined his country's enthusiasm for the further deepening of relations with Tehran. More Details: http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13931109000406 No sign of progress in talks Seyed Abbas Araghchi, after having quadrilateral negotiations with three European countries in Turkey, said "as negotiating countries do not hold a joint stance, reaching a deal is very difficult and needs time. Details also are a matter of disagreement.” More Details: http://en.mehrnews.com/detail/News/105774 Iran has to reach new horizons in space technology President Rouhani said Iran should get new prospects in space technology as it did in the fields of information, nanotechnology and biotechnological activities. More Details: http://en.mehrnews.com/detail/News/105773 Iran’s status at SCO to improve International Affairs Adviser to Iran’s Leader after visiting Putin in Moscow announced that Russia agrees to upgrade Iran’s status at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. More Details: http://en.mehrnews.com/detail/News/105772 Sayfa 14 4. ISRAEL – PALESTINE Netanyahu warns Hezbollah will pay 'full price' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Lebanon's Hezbollah it will pay the "full price" after missiles killed two Israeli soldiers Wednesday in an attack that raised fears of another all-out war. A Spanish UN peacekeeper was killed as Israel and Hezbollah exchanged artillery fire -- the most serious clashes between the bitter enemies in years -- following the attack by the Shiite militant group. "Those behind today's attack will pay the full price," Netanyahu's office quoted him as saying at a meeting with Israeli's top security brass Wednesday evening. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69928 Hezbollah sends message to Israel ‘conflict is over’ Israel on Thursday buried two soldiers killed in a Hezbollah missile strike that triggered Israeli fire on southern Lebanon, raising tensions between the bitter enemies to their highest in years. But the Israeli-Lebanese border was calm, as officials in the Jewish state played down the threat of a new war with Lebanon's Iran-backed Shiite militant group. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69940 Israel reduces energy supplies to Palestinians Israel's state-run electricity company is to reduce energy supplies to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank because of a debt of more than $450 million, an official said Thursday. The move comes at a time of diplomatic tensions, weeks after Israel froze the Palestinian Authority's (PA) tax revenues in retaliation for joining the International Criminal Court (ICC). "Due to a mounting debt worth nearly 1.8 billion shekels ($459 million, 404 million euros), we have decided that as of today, electrical supply (to the West Bank) will be cut" for an hour each morning and another hour at night, an Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) official said. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69942 Spain: Israeli fire killed peacekeeper in south Lebanon Spain on Wednesday said Israeli fire had killed a Spanish U.N. peacekeeper serving in south Lebanon and called on the United Nations to fully investigate the violence. The Security Council condemned Sayfa 15 the death of the Spanish corporal who died from wounds sustained during an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters on the border. “It is clear that this was because of the escalation of the violence and it came from the Israeli side,” Spanish Ambassador Roman Oyarzun told reporters. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/01/29/Spain-Israeli-fire-killed-peacekeeperin-south-Lebanon-.html Israel to build 430 new West Bank settler homes The Israeli government on Friday published tenders to build 430 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, the head of an NGO that monitors settlement activity told AFP. “It’s the opening of the settlement floodgates,” said Daniel Seidemann, head of the Terrestrial Jerusalem group, adding that the announcements were the first since October 2014 and unlikely to be the last before the March 17 general election. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/01/30/Israel-to-build-430-new-West-Banksettler-homes-.html Israel reduces energy supplies to Palestinians Israel's state-run electricity company is to reduce energy supplies to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank because of a debt of more than $450 million, an official said Thursday. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69942 NGO: Israel to build 430 new West Bank settler homes The Israeli government on Friday published tenders to build 430 new settler homes in the West Bank, the head of an NGO that monitors settlement activity told AFP. More Details: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4621073,00.html Senators pledge not to support Palestinian aid until US reviews ICC bid Three in four US senators pledged not to support assistance to the Palestinian Authority until the Obama administration reviews the admittance of Palestine to the International Criminal Court. Sayfa 16 More Details: http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Senators-pledge-not-to-support-Palestinian-aid-until-USreviews-ICC-bid-389499 'Israeli who joined Syria al-Qaida group was urged to return and carry out attacks on Jewish state' A resident of Kafr Yasif, near Acre, was arrested by security forces on January 2 on suspicion of fighting with rebels in Syria, including Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaida’s branch in Syria, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced on Thursday. More Details: http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israeli-Arab-indicted-for-allegedly-having-joined-alQaida-affiliate-in-Syria-389381 Israel halts program to end night-time arrests of children The Israeli military has shut down a program meant to decrease the number of night-time arrest raids targeting children in Palestinian homes after less than a year, with statistics suggesting that even when the program was active night raids barely decreased at all. More Details: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=757504 Hamas official demands opening of Gaza seaport A senior Hamas official on Thursday demanded that a seaport be fully opened in Gaza, warning of an "explosion" if Israel's siege and the Egyptian closure of Rafah continues. More Details: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=757524 Japan grants $100,000 to Bethlehem Water Network Rehabilitation According to a press release issued by the Representative Office of Japan to the Palestinian Authority (PA), Za‘tara Municipality would accordingly receive about $101,000 to rehabilitate a 2,570- meterlong old damaged water pipes in 5 locations with 2-inch underground galvanized steel pipes. More Details: http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=27725 Sayfa 17 Kerem Shalom opened to allow goods into Gaza Strip Israeli authorities opened the Kerem Shalom crossing on Thursday in order to allow food aid and fuel into the Gaza Strip. More Details: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=757441 EU Delegation Hails PA’s Accession to Rome Statue A European Union delegation hailed Thursday the Palestinian Authority’s accession to the Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Delegation for Relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council said in a press release issued Wednesday that it welcomes Palestine’s accession to the Rome Statute of the ICC. More Details: http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=27724 5. JORDAN and LEBANON IS issues new deadline to kill Jordanian pilot if demand not met Islamic State militants say they will execute a Jordanian pilot "immediately" if Amman does not hand over a female suicide bomber by sunset Thursday, as Japan waits in anguish for news of a journalist the extremists are also holding. In a new audio recording, a voice identifying itself as Japanese freelancer Kenji Goto says his captors will kill Maaz al-Kassasbeh if an Iraqi woman on death row in Jordan is not handed over by the end of the day. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69929 Jordan wants to see proof pilot alive before exchange Jordan said Thursday that it would not release an Iraqi female jihadist until it receives proof that a Jordanian pilot held by the Islamic State group is alive. IS has threatened to execute the airman unless Jordan frees Sajida al-Rishawi by sunset Thursday in exchange for Japanese hostage Kenji Goto. "Jordan is willing to exchange Sajida al-Rishawi for the Jordanian pilot. At this point we want to emphasize that we have asked for proof of life from Daesh (IS) and we have not received anything yet," Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said. More Details: Sayfa 18 http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69935 Japan, Jordan working closely on fate of hostage Japan was working closely with Jordan on Friday to find out what was happening to a Japanese journalist held by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants after a deadline passed for the release of an Iraqi would-be suicide bomber on death-row in Jordan. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said every effort was being made to secure the release of journalist Kenji Goto. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/01/30/Japan-Jordan-try-to-gatherinformation-on-hostage-.html Jordan insists on proof of life before any swap to free IS-held pilot The government on Thursday reiterated that it will not release “prisoner” Sajida Rishawi unless Jordan receives solid proof that Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh is alive. In a statement to the press at the Prime Ministry, Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani said after “we receive proof that Kasasbeh is alive, we can proceed with the second stage of negotiations which is the exchange.” More Details: http://jordantimes.com/jordan-insists-on-proof-of-life-before-any-swap-to-free-is-held-pilot Jordan celebrates King’s birthday Jordan celebrates His Majesty King Abdullah’s 53rd birthday on Friday. Born in Amman on January 30, 1962, King Abdullah is the eldest son of His Majesty the late King Hussein and HRH Princess Muna. More Details: http://jordantimes.com/Jordan+celebrates+King%E2%80%99s+birthday-83419 Lawmakers call for ‘firm collective stand’ to abort IS’ ploy Parliament on Thursday expressed full support for the efforts exerted by the Jordanian Armed Forces-Arab Army to bring Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh home unharmed. More Details: http://jordantimes.com/lawmakers-call-for-firm-collective-stand-to-abort-is-ploy Sayfa 19 Border guards receive 45 new Syrian refugees A total of 45 Syrian refugees, mostly women, children and the elderly, entered the Kingdom through various illegal border points past 48 hours. More Details: http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=27836&title=Border%20guards%20receive%2045 %20new%20Syrian%20refugees#.VMt7utKsU8o Lebanon to lodge complaint over Israel's deadly border shelling Lebanon will file a complaint with the U.N. Security Council against Israel over its recent border shelling in which a Spanish peacekeeper was killed, a ministerial source told The Daily Star Friday More Details: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Jan-30/285823-lebanon-to-lodgecomplaint-over-israels-deadly-border-shelling.ashx Iranian commander visited Lebanon to honor Qunaitra victims A senior commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard quietly paid tribute earlier this month to six Hezbollah fighters who were killed during a Jan. 18 Israeli airstrike on a party convoy in Syria’s Golan Heights, according to a report. More Details: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Jan-30/285843-iranian-commander-visitedlebanon-to-honor-qunaitra-victims.ashx Hezbollah-Future dialogue tackles Resistance Brigades Talks between Hezbollah and the Future Movement have begun touching on the issue of the Hezbollah-linked Resistance Brigades, former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said Friday. More Details: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Jan-30/285850-hezbollah-future-dialoguetackles-resistance-brigades-siniora.ashx Sayfa 20 6. ARABIAN PENINSULA AND THE GULF OF BASRA Kuwait online activists arrested 'over Saudi criticism' Kuwait authorities have detained several online activists allegedly for comments deemed offensive to Saudi Arabia's late King Abdullah, a rights group and activists said Thursday. Secret police late Wednesday arrested prominent rights and online activist Mohammad al-Ajmi outside his home for "unknown reasons," the National Committee for Monitoring Violations, an independent rights group of which Ajmi is a member, said on its Twitter account. Online activists and former MPs said on Twitter that Ajmi was being held for questioning over Tweets he made on Saudi Arabia. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69933 New Saudi king announces sweeping cabinet shake-up Saudi Arabia's new King Salman on Thursday further cemented his hold on power, with a sweeping shakeup that saw two sons of the late King Abdullah fired, and the heads of intelligence and other key agencies replaced alongside a cabinet shuffle. Top officials from the Ports Authority, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the conservative Islamic kingdom's religious police were among those let go. The new appointments came a week after Salman acceded to the throne following the death of Abdullah, aged about 90. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69944 Spain’s former king in Riyadh to express condolences Spain’s former King Juan Carlos extended his condolences on Wednesday in Riyadh over the death of Saudi King Abdulllah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Carlos, who abdicated last year making way for his son King Felipe IV, also congratulated King Salman bin Abdulaziz on his accession to the throne. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/01/29/Spain-s-former-King-Juan-Carlospays-respects-for-passing-of-King-Abdullah.html Yemen’s Houthi rebels detain student protestors Armed members of Yemen’s Houthi rebels were holding a number of student protestors at Sanaa University on Thursday, an Al Arabiya News Channel correspondent has reported. The armed men Sayfa 21 also beat the students as demonstrations against the militia group continued in the country’s capital, the correspondent added. Earlier, the Houthis detained protesters for the third time this week to prevent another rally in Sanaa taking place against their tightening grip on the capital, witnesses told Agence France-Presse. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/01/29/Houthis-kidnap-beat-studentprotestors-in-Sanaa.html Saudi King Salman issues major royal orders Saudi Arabia’s newly inaugurated King Salman bin Abdulaziz has issued a series of landmark orders that ushered in fresh new faces into state institutions and awarded financial support for many Saudis. And the king ordered a total of $30 billion (112 billion Saudi Riyals) spending in the oil rich kingdom. The king ordered a lavish payout to all state employees on Thursday and reshuffled some top government jobs while keeping in place the oil, foreign, finance, defense and interior ministers. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/01/29/Saudi-Arabia-to-announce-royalorders-by-King-Salman.html Al-Qaeda Militants Kill 2 Yemeni Soldiers in Marib Two Yemeni soldiers were killed and two wounded when they were ambushed by suspected alQaeda militants in the central province of Marib, a regional official said on Thursday. Marib has most of Yemen's oil and gas fields and has long been a battleground between various factions, including local tribesmen, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) insurgents, Houthi rebels, and government forces. AQAP is active in several Yemeni provinces, mainly in the south and southeast, where repeated government military campaigns drove the network's militants out of key cities they once controlled. More Details: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/al-qaeda-militants-kill-2-yemeni-soldiers-marib New US envoy committed to boosting ‘vital partnership’ with Bahrain The new American ambassador to Bahrain William Roebuck said that the US greatly held its relationship with Bahrain in high esteem and pledged to nurture the friendship further and to reinforce relations and cooperation at all levels. “The United States values greatly its relationship with Bahrain,” Roebuck said. “I am committed to building upon our vital partnership with the Kingdom and to strengthening the special American-Bahraini friendship based on mutual respect and Sayfa 22 our long history of consultation and cooperation,” the ambassador said in a speech to guests aboard the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson on Wednesday evening. More Details: http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/new-us-envoy-committed-to-boosting-vital-partnershipwith-bahrain-1.1448703 New Saudi king announces major government shake-up Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud further cemented his hold on power, with a sweeping shakeup that saw two sons of the late King Abdullah fired, and the heads of intelligence and other key agencies replaced alongside a cabinet shuffle. Top officials from the Ports Authority, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Islamic kingdom’s religious police were among those let go. The new appointments came a week after Salman acceded to the throne following the death of Abdullah, aged about 90. More Details: http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/new-saudi-king-announces-major-government-shakeup-1.1448858 7. EGYPT Women protest against Egypt police after fatal shooting Dozens of women protested Thursday against Egypt's police in the central Cairo square where a female demonstrator was shot dead on the eve of the anniversary of the 2011 uprising. Shaima alSabbagh was killed during a leftist march Saturday in which participants were to place wreaths at a memorial in honour of protesters killed during the past four years. The government and police have said they are investigating the shooting, which happened ahead of the January 25 anniversary of the 2011 revolt that toppled veteran leader Hosni Mubarak. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69938 Deadly Sinai attacks force Sisi to cut short overseas trip Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is cutting short a visit to Ethiopia for an African Union summit, returning home to deal with a wave of deadly militant attacks, his office said Friday. Militants fired a barrage of rockets and set off a car bomb Thursday killing at least 26 people, mostly soldiers, in Egypt's North Sinai province, where security forces are battling a raging Islamist insurgency. The Sayfa 23 deadly assaults were swiftly claimed by the Egyptian affiliate of the Islamic State group that has captured chunks of territory in Syria and Iraq. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69943 Egypt women protest killing of Shaima Sabbagh A group of women protested in downtown Cairo on Thursday against security forces after female activist Shaimaa Sabbagh was shot dead on the eve of the anniversary of the January 25 revolution. Sabbagh, 32, died on Saturday as riot police were trying to break-up a small, peaceful demonstration. Friends said she was shot and elsewhere images of her bleeding body rippled out across social media, sparking outrage and condemnation. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/01/29/Women-demonstration-in-Cairodemands-investigation-into-protestor-deaths.html Two Children Killed in Sinai Clashes a Day After Deadly Wave of Attacks Two children were killed in clashes between the army and jihadists in Egypt's Sinai on Friday, security officials said, a day after at least 30 people were killed in a series of attacks there. Health officials said a six-month-old baby was hit in the head by a bullet and a six-year-old was killed in a rocket blast in the peninsula. Two more people including a 12-year-old were badly wounded by gunfire. More Details: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/wave-attacks-egypts-sinai-kill-27 At least 26 killed, more than 100 wounded in North Sinai rocket attack At least 26 people, including civilians, were killed Thursday when a series of militant attacks, involving "car bombs" and mortar rounds, struck several army and police positions in Egypt's volatile Sinai Peninsula, medical and security sources said. More Details: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/121728/Egypt/Politics-/UPDATE--At-least--killed,more-than--wounded-in-No.aspx Sayfa 24 Sisi cuts short AU visit following Sinai attack Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi will cut short his visit to Ethiopia and return to Egypt on Friday, following a militant attack in North Sinai on Thursday night that left at least 26 people dead, state-run news agency MENA reported. More Details: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/121742/Egypt/Politics-/BREAKING-Sisi-cuts-shortAU-visit-following-Sinai-.aspx Egypt expresses 'utter surprise' over UN criticism Egypt has expressed "utter surprise" at a critical statement about the killing of protesters by the head of the United Nations human rights body, saying it featured an "incomplete portrayal of events." More Details: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/121713/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-expresses-uttersurprise-over-UN-criticism.aspx Egyptian Islamic State group affiliate claims deadly Sinai attacks: AFP The Islamic State group's Egyptian affiliate, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, claimed Thursday's deadly attacks in North Sinai that killed 26 people, mostly soldiers. More Details: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/121738/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-Islamic-Stategroup-affiliate-claims-dead.aspx HEC to accept applications for Egypt parliament candidacy starting 8 February Egypt's Higher Electoral Commission announced on Thursday that it will start accepting applications for parliamentary candidacies on 8 February. Parliamentary elections will take place in two stages in March and April. More Details: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/121671/Egypt/Politics-/HEC-to-accept-applicationsfor-Egypt-parliament-ca.aspx Sayfa 25 Minister: Egypt considers cutting fuel subsidies by LE20 bln next year Egypt is considering whether to reduce fuel subsidies by 20 billion Egyptian pounds ($2.64 billion) next fiscal year, but it needs to study the social implications before coming to a decision, the investment minister said on Thursday. More Details: http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/minister-egypt-considers-cutting-fuel-subsidies-le20-blnnext-year US condemns deadly attacks in Egypt's North Sinai The United States strongly condemned the deadly attacks in Egypt’s North Sinai that killed at least 29 people and wounded 47 others late Thursday. More Details: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/154072/us-condemns-deadly-attacks-in-egypts-north-sinai 8. NORTH AFRICA Libyan airline suspends flights A Libyan airline announced Thursday it was suspending flights after four of its aircrew, including a French captain, were killed when gunmen stormed a Tripoli hotel this week. Al-Buraq Airlines, a private carrier that operates domestic and international flights, announced a "brief suspension" and paid tribute to the staff, who were among nine killed in Tuesday's attack on the luxury Corinthia Hotel claimed by jihadists. A security source initially said an American, two Filipinas and a South Korean were killed along with the Frenchman and four Libyans. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69939 Libya rivals to join peace talks if held on home soil The rivals of Libya's elected parliament agreed Thursday to join UN-mediated peace talks with the internationally recognised government if they are held on home soil. The announcement by Salah alMakhzoum, deputy speaker of the General National Congress (GNC), came as the UN said there was agreement in principle to hold future sessions in Libya, "provided that logistical and security conditions are available". It came after an attack Tuesday on a luxury hotel in the Libyan capital by Islamist gunmen that killed nine people, including five foreigners. Sayfa 26 More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69945 Libya: 'We're fed up with fighting' Amal, a mother of five children, crouches over a sewing machine within the maze of whitewashed alleys in Tripoli's dilapidated old city, its ancient walls abutting the Corinthia Hotel compound. The light in her dingy tailor shop has been on for most of the day, a rarity for the impoverished neighbourhood, which has been plagued with hours-long electricity cuts, skyrocketing food prices and crime. "We hear gun shots everyday and we are tired," said Amal, nostalgic for the security she says she had before Muammar Gaddafi's overthrow in 2011. More Details: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/01/libya-fed-fighting-150128092521954.html Tripoli's GNC to Take Part in UN Peace Talks "if Held in Libya" The rivals of Libya's elected parliament agreed Thursday to join UN-mediated peace talks with the internationally recognized government if they are held on home soil. The announcement by Salah alMakhzoum, deputy speaker of the General National Congress (GNC), came as the UN said there was agreement in principle to hold future sessions in Libya, "provided that logistical and security conditions are available.” It came after an attack Tuesday on a luxury hotel in the Libyan capital by Islamist gunmen that killed nine people, including five foreigners. More Details: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/tripolis-gnc-take-part-un-peace-talks-if-held-libya AU backs political solution for Libya The African Union group dedicated to the Libya crisis met Wednesday (January 28th) in Addis Ababa, AFP reported. "The only solution to bring an end to the current crisis in Libya is a political settlement," Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Dayri said after meeting with the AU's International Contact Group for Libya. Set up by the AU Peace and Security Council, the group includes regional nations Algeria, Tunisia, Chad, Egypt, Niger and Sudan, as well as the Arab League, European Union and United Nations. More Details: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/newsbriefs/general/2015/01/29/newsbrief-01 Sayfa 27 Tunisia dismantles terror network Tunisian security forces on Wednesday (January 28th) dismantled a terror network based in the capital, Mosaique FM reported. The Tunis cell financed terror activities and provided funds to the families of jailed jihadists and those fighting abroad, the interior ministry said. A large amount of cash was reportedly seized in the operation. More Details: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/newsbriefs/general/2015/01/29/newsbrief-02 Islamic finance forum opens in Morocco The 6th African Forum of Islamic Finance (FICSA) began in Casablanca on Wednesday (January 28th), MAP reported. The two-day event focuses on challenges facing the sector in francophone Africa. More Details: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/newsbriefs/general/2015/01/29/newsbrief-04 "Dialogue, only way to find solution to Libyan crisis" (FM Hamdi) Foreign Minister in the Caretaker Government Mongi Hamdi asserted that "dialogue is the only way to find a solution to the Libyan crisis. The military option cannot be the solution, insofar as it risks to worsen the crisis," he said to TAP on the sidelines of the 24th African Summit held, January 30-31 in Addis-Ababa. He pointed out in this regard, the direct consequences of the crisis in Libya on neighbour countries, notably Tunisia. More Details: http://www.tap.info.tn/en/index.php/politics2/24319-dialogue-only-way-to-find-solution-to-libyancrisis-fm-hamdi Tunisia to host two African institutions Tunisia will host two African institutions namely the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) and the African Statistical Institute. This decision was taken by the African Union (AU), said Thursday, ambassador Tunisia’s permanent representative to AU Sahbi Khalfallah. The Preparations are pledged to host in Tunisia the premises of the two institutions within one or two years and half, the diplomat added in a statement to TAP on the fringes of the preparatory meetings of the 24th African summit on the level of the representatives of the states and the Foreign Affairs Ministers. More Details: http://www.tap.info.tn/en/index.php/politics2/24315-tunisia-to-host-two-african-institutions Sayfa 28 Caid Essebsi arrives in Addis Ababa to take part in AU Summit President Beji Caid Essebsi arrived, on Thursday evening in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to take part in the 24th ordinary session of the Summit of Head of State and Government of the African Union (AU) scheduled for January 30 and 31. The President was seen in at Addis Ababa international airport, in particular, by Ethiopian Minister of Tourism and Culture Amine Abulkadir. Beji Caid Essebsi will deliver a speech at the opening of the Summit held under the theme of “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.” More Details: http://www.tap.info.tn/en/index.php/politics2/24313-caid-essebsi-arrives-in-addis-ababa-to-takepart-in-au-summit 9. AFGHANISTAN – PAKISTAN Police arrest suspected target killer in Karachi Police in Karachi's West Zone on Friday arrested a suspected target killer accused of involvement in nine murders, including those of four police personnel. According to a police spokesman, Abdul Rehman was arrested during an operation conducted in the city's outskirts. Rehman, who belongs to a banned outfit, has confessed of his involvement in the target killings of nine people in Karachi's West Zone. More Details: http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-173501-Police-arrest-suspected-target-killer-in-Karachi- Three US contractors killed in "insider attack" in Afghanistan An Afghan soldier killed three US contractors and wounded a fourth on Thursday at Kabul´s military airport, an Afghan air force official said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack saying a militant infiltrator had carried it out. The Afghan air force official said it was not clear why the attacker had killed the advisers."No one else was there to tell us the reason," the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. More Details: http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-173497-Three-US-contractors-killed-in-%22insider-attack%22in-Afghanistan Sayfa 29 Altaf Hussain University belongs to all Pakistanis: MQM supremo Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain on Friday said that Hyderabad University was not only for Urdu speaking community but it belongs to people from all ethnic groups and religions. Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the Altaf Hussain University, the MQM chief said he would discuss establishment of the educational institute during his tours to Hyderabad and his dream finally came true after 55 long years. He thanked Bahria Town’s Malik Riaz and former President Asif Ali for their efforts to build the university. More Details: http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-173512-Altaf-Hussain-University-belongs-to-all-Pakistanis:MQM-supremo Security situation has improved in Karachi, says PM Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the security situation in Karachi had improved. The prime minister visited the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) following a high-level meeting at the Governor House. The prime minister told reporters at KSE that the credit for the improved situation in the city should go to Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah. Prime Minister Sharif said Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders were present at the high-level meeting and their reservations were discussed in detail. The prime minister said he had taken notice of the murder of MQM workers and the IGP Sindh had informed him that the probe into the killing of three MQM workers would be completed in 30 days. More Details: http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-173496-Security-situation-has-improved-in-Karachi,-says-PM- Electoral Reform Proposed from Outside IEC not Acceptable: Barmak Agreeing the need for reforms in the country's electoral system, an Afghan election commissioner warns no entity or group from outside the Independent Election Commission (IEC) was allowed to bring reforms in the election system. In an interview with TOLOnews, IEC commissioner Sareer Ahmad Barmak declared that nobody including the President could fire the IEC head and commissioners unless they prove the crimes of IEC officials. More Details: http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/18020-electoral-reform-proposed-from-outside-iec-notacceptable-barmak Provincial Councils Warn of Nationwide Protest Because of Election Law Members of provincial councils on Thursday voiced concerns on Wolesi Jirga's (Lower House of Parliament) approval of amending four articles of the election law, announcing that the doors of all Sayfa 30 provincial councils will be shut in protest negating their rights of monitoring. They believe that Parliament's decision was a hasty one, demanding the president not to sign off on the amended election law. More Details: http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/18009--provincial-councils-warn-of-nationwide-protestbecause-of-election-law Taliban Attack in Ghazni Leaves 11 Residents Dead Residents of Andar district of Ghazni province launched an uprising against a Taliban attack on a police check post Wednesday evening, resulting in the deaths of seven insurgents and 11 residents, local officals said. Ghazni Deputy Gov. Mohammad Ali Ahmadi confirmed the incident stating that the attack took place when a group of insurgents attacked a police check post in the district of Andar. Ahmadi added that six other uprising participants and six Taliban militants were wounded in the clash. More Details: http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/18007-taliban-attack-in-ghazni-leaves-11-residents-dead 10.TURKEY AND THE MIDDLE EAST Lebanon, Turkey Resume Baghdad Flights After Shooting Incident Turkish Airlines and Lebanon's Middle East Airlines (MEA) resumed flights to Baghdad on Thursday after halting them earlier in the week when bullets hit a plane as it was landing in the Iraqi capital. Samir Kubba, the head of Iraq's civil aviation authority, told Reuters a flight from Istanbul had landed and another from Beirut was expected shortly. An MEA official and the Turkish Airlines website confirmed that both carriers, which provide daily flights to Baghdad, had resumed service. At least seven airlines suspended flights to Baghdad following the shooting incident. More Details: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-turkey-resume-baghdad-flights-after-shootingincident EU3 set to begin nuclear talks in Turkey Representatives from Iran and three big European Union countries involved in negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program are set to hold a fresh round of nuclear talks. Iran and the EU3 -- France, Germany and the United Kingdom -- start the one-day talks in Istanbul. The Iranian negotiating team, led by Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi, is due in Istanbul on Sayfa 31 Thursday. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe and Americas' Affairs Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi, who doubles as an Iranian nuclear negotiator, arrived in Istanbul earlier in the day. More Details: http://www.worldbulletin.net/turkey/154042/eu3-set-to-begin-nuclear-talks-in-turkey Turkey extends a helping hand to Turkmens Turkey continues to heal the wounds of Turkmens who have fled ISIL terror. As many Turkmens live in camps in Iraq, 2.780 Turkmen families have taken refuge in Turkey and 1.580 of them live in Ankara. Blankets, clothing and food aid has been provided for Turkmens living in Ankara with the support of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey (AFAD), Turkish Red Crescent Society and benevolent businessmen. More Details: http://www.trt.net.tr/english/turkey/2015/01/30/turkey-extends-a-helping-hand-to-turkmens155029 *This media summary is prepared by ORSAM Middle East Research Assistant Firuze Yağmur Gökler. It covers news and commentaries as reported by the national 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 Firuze Yağmur Gökler tarafından hazırlanmaktadır. Bülten Ortadoğu ülkelerinin yerel haber kaynaklarından derlenmektedir. Belirtilen görüşler bölge ülkelerinin haber kaynaklarına ve ismi geçen yazarlara ait olup ORSAM’ın görüşünü yansıtmamaktadır. Sayfa 32
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