Category: Diplomacy

Syrian intelligence agents pulled out of large parts of Lebanon on Wednesday, Reuter reported.   There appears to be no end in sight to Lebanon’s political crisis with Prime Minister-designate Omar…

U.S. President George W. Bush called on Hezbollah to lay down arms leaving open the possibility that the party becomes part of the political mainstream in Lebanon, despite his past…

The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak arrived in Syrian on Tuesday to hold talks with the Syrian officials on the situation in Lebanon, according to diplomatic Egyptian source. Speaking on condition…

The United States had halted the work of the Israeli-American task force after Israel did not keep its promises made to the United States April 2004 to define and set…

While Syrian intelligence offices shut down in central Lebanon and Syrian soldiers continue to lave Lebanon in real numbers, UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen said Saturday that Syria will announce a…

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Satterfield said Thursday that Israel has yet to implement its promise to remove unauthorized settlers’ outposts. ‘The government of…

Lebanese sources reported that almost all of the Syrian troops have left north Lebanon on Friday. Nevertheless, the United Nations, called on Syrian president Bashar Assad to provide a timetable…

Lebanese sources reported that almost all of the Syrian troops have left north Lebanon on Friday. Nevertheless, the United Nations, called on Syrian president Bashar Assad to provide a timetable…

The European decided on Thursday to consider the Lebanon based Hezbollah party as a terrorist organization, and urged the EU countries to acts against it. The nonbinding decision adopted by…

Mubarak, Mofaza arrived Thursday at a tentative understanding by which Israel commits to evacuate the Philadelphi route, along the Gaza-Egyptian border, sometime after the disengagement from Gaza is completed. Egyptian…

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Thursday that he expects full Israeli withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip, urging Israel, the PA to keep to the understandings reached at Sharm’s summit.…

Officials in the Bush administration are to explain to skeptical lawmakers in Washington that the $350 million proposed to aid the Palestinians will be transferred to the P.A in order…

Israeli official sources said that Egypt is trying to bring about a deal in which Palestinian President Yasser Arafat would hand real power to Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei in exchange…

At least one million people attended a rally against the Syrian pullback from Lebanon called by Hezbollah in Lebanese capitol Hezbollah source reported on Tuesday. This rally drastically outnumbered those…

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told Monday United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan that Syria has recently been bolstering its intelligence forces in Lebanon, calling the UN to pressure Syria to…

Al-Sharq Al-Awasat news paper reported Sunday that the European Union is communicating with Hamas leaders in an effort to remove the Islamic Resistance Movement from the EU list of terrorist…

Syrian President declared a plan for a gradual withdrawal of Syrian troops to the Syrian-Lebanese borders; Lebanese President Emile Lahoud welcomed the move; Lebanese opposition optimistic, but cautious, Israel accused…

Lebanese Army Friday morning foiled an attempt to fire two shells at Israel from southern Lebanon, Lebanese sources stated. The source said, an army patrol near the town of Markaba…

As pressure is mounting on Syria to fully pullout its troops and intelligence service from Lebanon, Syria is said to be preparing for a major redeployment of forces in Lebanon,…

Israeli sources reported that the Lebanese opposition have made contacts with Israel about the demanded Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon. The source said Lebanese figures contacted Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz’s…

London mayor Ken Livingstone branded Thursday night Israeli Prime minister Ariel a war criminal, the British Independent reported on Friday. Livingstone accused Israel of executing ‘ethnic cleansing’ and demonizing Muslims,…

The U.S. President George W. Bush reiterated his call for an immediate Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, AP reported on Thursday. In his speech at Anne Arundel Community College, which was…

The Opposition in Lebanon said they will accept a ‘neutral’ transitional Cabinet to govern the country on the condition that it calls for a Syrian withdrawal and pledges to uncover…

The Lebanese Government announced its resignation on Monday in a special Parliament session held for a confidence vote. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Omar Karami, announced the resignation which was very warmly…

The UNRWA submitted a detailed plan to the International Community in Geneva in order to achieve a “better future for four million refugees”; the UNRWA demanded additional $1.1 million during…

Tunisia’s leading opposition parties vowed on Monday to block an invitation to a summit issued by the government to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Ten opposition parties and human rights…

Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani al-Malqi is to visit in Israel on Saturday night. Jordan has returned Ambassador to Tel Aviv following the Sharm Al-Sheikh summit.    Al-Malqi visit, during which peace…

Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karami announced his government’s resignation Monday evening, prompting a cheer among thousands of protestors, who gathered calling for cabinet resignation and for pulling Syrian troops out…

French diplomatic sources said Saturday that Israel hinted to UN secretary General Kofi Annan that it might consider pulling out of Shiba Farms in Lebanon if assured that the Lebanese…

In a surprising move, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak ordered a constitution changed to allow multi-candidate presidential elections slated for September. The election law in Egypt allows only a referendum on…

The Tunisian president Zen Al-Abideen Bin-Ali invited the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to visit Tunisia November 2005, and attend a conference about Information and International Cooperation. Apparently Sharon will…

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that Moscow is considering selling military equipment to the Palestinian Authority. ‘There have been requests about extra sales of hardware, including armored personnel…

In a step that corresponds to the United Nations Security Council resolution 1559 requiring Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon, Damascus expressed readiness to work with the UN to…

NATO would consider sending ‘peacekeeping’ troops in Israel and Palestine to facilitate the peace process only if Israelis and Palestinians sign a peace treaty, said NATO Secretary General Jaap de…

Speaking at the meeting with leaders of 25 European Countries, U.S. President George W. Bush said it is ridiculous to think that U.S. prepares to attack Iran. ‘This notion that…

Jordan’s new Ambassador to Israel, Marouf al-Bakhit, urged Tuesday Israel to stop gambling on interim agreements and gear up to a permanent one with Palestinians.  ‘I followed the talks in…

The World Council of Churches (WCC) encouraged member churches on Tuesday to sell off investments in companies profiting from the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.   Meeting in Geneva, the…

The Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Mousa, said on Monday that Syria will conduct procedures towards withdrawing its forcing from Lebanon, without specifying what those procedures were. Mousa…

Egypt announced the name of its new ambassador to Tel Aviv, saying would assume position in ten days. Mohamed Assem, 59, who was nominated to the position by Egyptian President…

Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts and Palestinian reform could give momentum to changes throughout the Middle East, U.S. President George W. Bush said in Brussels on Monday.    ‘Our greatest opportunity, and…

British Foreign minister Jack Straw said Monday there was a ‘high level of suspicion’ that Syria was involved in last week’s bomb attack that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik…

Jordan returned its ambassador to Tel Aviv on Sunday. The Jordanian cabinet decided to return the ambassador earlier this month. Jordan hopes for Return of ambassador to lead to an…

A Swedish Court will decide whether to indict a Palestinian man accused of taking his five children to Gaza Strip to see their relatives for more than six months, the…

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he is convinced Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program, asserted that Russia would continue nuclear cooperation with the Islamic state, and…

The U.S. President George W. Bush did not exclude an attack against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, an accusation that Tehran strongly denies. ‘If I were the…

The leader of the Lebanese based Hezbollah party Sheikh Hassan Nassrallah denied Thursday funding Palestinian resistance groups and sending fighters to Iraq. {mosimage}’We have no organization or networks either in…

U.S. security coordinator for the Middle East, Army Lt. Gen. William Ward met Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the American ambassador to Israel, Dan Kurtzer. {mosimage}Later on…

As some voices in Congress challenged the U.S. government sending $350 Millions to the Palestinians as aid, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice defended the government decision yet, voiced concerns of…

Iran TV reported Wednesday afternoon that the blast that accrued in its Bushehr province, where Iran has its nuclear reactor, might have been caused by debris falling from one of…

Following the Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination in a blast earlier today, enraged supporters have taken to the streets. {mosimage}An Al-Jazeera television broadcast reported that a person had…

The US Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Adam Arly, praised what he described as the “courageous leadership” of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon. Arly said that the Palestinian leadership needs to…

The Bush administration is considering naming an official to help coordinate Palestinian economic and political reforms, U.S. diplomatic sources said on Tuesday.   EU and other countries in the region…

Jordan and Egypt announced Tuesday they were sending their ambassadors back to Israel. The announcement followed the declaration of a mutual cease-fire at Sharm Al-Shaeikh summit earlier in the day.…

According to the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram, Syrian President Bashar Assad sent a letter to Egyptian President Husni Mubarak, praising his efforts to promote peace. Egyptian media sources reported Monday that…

U.S. President George Bush said Monday that he hopes to meet with the new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the White House this spring. Speaking to reporters, Bush was full…

An Israeli source said on Monday evening that the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hinted during her meetings with Israeli officials that she does not support leveling the settlements…

The Syrian President Bashar Assad told the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in a letter on Sunday, ‘We want peace.’ This statement by Assad comes one day prior to the Sharm…

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday that the states will conduct active involvement in the Middle East peace process, and that the states will dispatch a security…

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Israel on Sunday to take steps to strengthen Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, so as not to miss the opportunity created by his election.…

The foreign ministers of Canada and France and the European Union’s commissioner for external affairs will arrive in Israel on Monday in an attempt to persuade Israel to accept a…

Israeli military radio reported that the Egyptian president Hosney Mobarak might conduct his first official visit to Israel after Sharm Al-Sheikh summit next Tuesday. The Radio stated that Mobarak told…

A senior official in Egypt told the Egyptian official news agency on Saturday, the his country and Israel agreed to sign an agreement of Thursday which enables the Egyptian army…

The U.S. secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice proposed establishing ‘pension fund’ for at least one thousand Palestinians who would agree to give up their weapons for the PA, Israeli sources…

The Bush administration informed the Congress on Thursday it would provide an initial $41 million in aid to the Palestinians in a show of support for President Mahmoud Abbas. The…

The American president George W. Bush pledged on Wednesday $350 million in aide to the Palestinian authority in order to support the economic and security development, in order to show…

  Gglobal war against ‘Terrorism’ U.S. president George Bush affirmed advancing his global war against terrorism through fighting ‘terror groups, enhancing domestic and global security, acting forcefully against ‘tyrant regimes’…

The University of Toronto permitted an Arab students club to hold weeklong series of lectures about the Annexation Wall erected by Israel in the West Bank; Jewish groups condemned the…

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday that there cannot be peace in the Middle East unless the Palestinians attain a state that satisfies their aspirations. Rice also said…

Despite objections by Israel and the United States, the Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Friday that the planned sale of missiles between Russia and Syria will go on as planned.…

The United Nations Security Council on Friday approved a resolution declaring that the occupied Shaba Farms were not part of Lebanon. {mosimage}The resolution also extended the mandate of the UN…

Satterfield calls israel to freeze all settlement activities; Palestinians say we need to see action on ground, not only calls and positive talk.   U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David…

The Russian minister of finance Alexi Kodreen reported Tuesday evening that Russia has agreed to cancel 73% (9.8 billion US Dollars) of debts owed by Syria to Moscow, while the…

The new European Union ambassador to Israel Ramiro Cibrian-Uzal stated the Lebanon-based Hezbollah will be added to the terrorist list of the European Union. “It is only a matter of…

Syrian President Bashar Assad said Tuesday that the missiles Damascus wishes to buy from Russia would not pose a threat to Israel. ‘This is a defensive, air defense, weapon, If…

Official source in the US State Department stated that it will send William Burns to the Middle East for a attempt, the first in four years, to revive the stalled…

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Shara reiterated his country’s invitation for Israel to resume peace talks, hoping that Israel will talk up the offer this time. Al-Shara said, during an interview…

Russian President Vladimir Putin assured Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a phone conversation Thursday that he would not close the deal to sell shoulder-launched missiles to Syria during Syrian…

Friday, Russia slammed the United States for its accusations against Syria of having ties with “terrorism”, considering these accusations as attitudes which could harm peace efforts in the Middle East.…

A Western diplomat said on Friday that UN nuclear inspectors recently toured an Egyptian laboratory as part of their review of the country’s fuel programs. The tour comes after irregularities…

            A prominent British Academic, said that “it is wrong to present             reports about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict without highlighting             the main facts to the viewers who ignore some fundamental…

Under unprecedented security measures in the history of the United States, US President George Bush was inaugurated to second term in office as the President of the mightiest country in…

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney on Thursday expressed concern that Israel may attack nuclear facilities in Iran. Cheney added that Iran was at the top of the American administration’s list…

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has decided not to reappoint the head of the UN relief agency for Palestinians Peter Hansen, UN officials said on Wednesday. {mosimage}Anan’s decision came due to…

‘For Europe this issue here, the peace process, is one of the most important issues in our presidency’, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn told reporters prior to meeting Israeli Prime…

IMEMC & Agencies, January 19, 2005, 09:00 Condoleezza Rice, who will replace Colin Powell as U.S. Secretary of State, said Tuesday she plans to personally manage Israeli Palestinian contacts. Rice…

June 30, 2004 AP reported that New Zealand slammed Israel’s destruction of Palestinian homes in the occupied territories particularly in the Gaza Strip, and donated made a big contribution to…

Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman asked Israel on Sunday to give Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas time to enforce law and order in the Palestinian territories. Suliman passed Egypt’s request in…

Israel asked Russia to halt its arms sales deal with Syria in which it will buy advanced shoulder launched surface-to-air SA-18 missile known as Igla. The Israeli defense establishment expressed…

The U.S. State Department urged new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to strengthen security forces on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In a phone conversation on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary…

The U.S. State Department urged new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to strengthen security forces on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.    In a phone conversation on Tuesday, U.S.…

The US Administration is considering a proposal to boost U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority this year by up to $200 million, an official US source said. The source also…

The US Administration is considering a proposal to boost U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority this year by up to $200 million, an official US source said.  The source also…

Turkey believes that Syria is serious about making peace with Israel , Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told Israeli newspaper Haaretz in an interview on Monday. Gul is currently on…

In a statement on Saturday, the Egyptian foreign ministry called on Israel to fulfill its commitment to help Palestinians run smooth and democratic elections, saying that Israeli escalations, especially in…

Egyptian foreign ministry called Israel on Saturday to fulfill its commitments to help Palestinians run smooth and democratic elections, saying that Israeli escalations, especially in the Gaza strip, would hinder…

Visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday afternoon that his call for n international Middle East peace conference in London aimed at providing a passage for parties to move…

Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman met Tuesday with Amos Gilad, head of the political-security branch in the Defense Ministry. The two are working on the details of the deployment of…

British Prime Minister will meet with Palestinian and Israeli leaders on Wednesday morning after arriving in Israel Tuesday night coming from Iraq . Israeli officials said that Blair will separately…

Syrian President Bashar Assad is ready to resume peace talks with Israel ‘without conditions,’ the top United Nations envoy to the ME Terje Roed-Larsen said on Wednesday. ‘President Assad has…

he was encouraged with Israel’s approach to Palestinian January 9, presidential elections. ‘I have been much encouraged by the very positive messages that you [Shalom] have given me today about…