Syrian army conducts raid in Homs, four "terrorists" killed: state media
Syrian army carried out Monday an operation at al-Bayadha neighborhood in the central city of Homs, killing four terrorists and confiscating a large amount of weapons, the official SANA news agency reported.
Among the killed were Khaled al-Rajeh, whom the army said topped the list of wanted "terrorists" having long intimidated residents in the area, the report said.
It said an armed terrorist group kidnapped Monday two judges in the central province of Hama and took them to an unknown destination.
Earlier in the day, SANA said five terrorists have been rounded up, two others were killed and an unidentified number of others were wounded in the Damascus suburbs of Harasta and Douma on Sunday.
SANA said a large quantity of ammunition and sophisticated weapons were seized, along with explosive belts and communication devices, and explosives were also found in the two restive areas.
In Homs, SANA said 58 armed wanted men have been arrested.
Meanwhile, the private al-Watan newspaper reported Monday that an army member was killed, a lieutenant was wounded and 12 security agents and policemen were injured, some of them in unstable conditions, in Homs during attacks carried out by armed groups.
It said a terrorist group blew off an explosive device in Hama, wounding eight law-enforcement agents.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 20:11:44 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Dozens killed as tribal forces seize military barracks north of Yemeni capital
Dozens killed as tribal forces seize military barracks north of Yemeni capital
Dozens of people were killed and many wounded as anti-government tribal forces on Monday overran a barracks of the Yemeni Republican Guard in Nahm, 70 km north of the capital Sanaa, a local government official said.
The barracks is believed to belong to the Yemeni elite Republican Guard's 63rd Mountaineer Infantry Brigade, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The head of the brigade managed to escape, while dozens soldiers were held captive, the official said.
The government forces' warplanes were carrying out intense raids on the occupied barracks, while the tribal militiamen responded with anti-air weapons they seized from the base, he added.
No precise figures were currently available concerning the casualties.
Officials from the Defense ministry have confirmed that heavy clashes were going on between the Republican Guard's 63rd Mountaineer Infantry Brigade and opposition-led tribal militias in Bait Dahra district in northern Sanaa province.
The clashes since late Sunday followed the killing of a general of the Republican Guard during fighting with one of the elite's military base in Arhab district, which the Defense Ministry blamed the attack on the opposition forces.
The Defense Ministry said that the rebels were seeking to capture the military bases in northern Sanaa in bid to seize the Sanaa International Airport and northern entrances of the capital.
On Saturday, President Ali Abdullah Saleh warned his opponents of "harsh and decisive response if they continue to attack the Republican Guard forces."
The volatile regions have been the front-line of almost daily clashes between the rival forces since late May.
Yemen has been gripped by a political crisis since protests calling for an end to Saleh's 33-year rule which began in January.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 19:28:01 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Dozens of people were killed and many wounded as anti-government tribal forces on Monday overran a barracks of the Yemeni Republican Guard in Nahm, 70 km north of the capital Sanaa, a local government official said.
The barracks is believed to belong to the Yemeni elite Republican Guard's 63rd Mountaineer Infantry Brigade, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The head of the brigade managed to escape, while dozens soldiers were held captive, the official said.
The government forces' warplanes were carrying out intense raids on the occupied barracks, while the tribal militiamen responded with anti-air weapons they seized from the base, he added.
No precise figures were currently available concerning the casualties.
Officials from the Defense ministry have confirmed that heavy clashes were going on between the Republican Guard's 63rd Mountaineer Infantry Brigade and opposition-led tribal militias in Bait Dahra district in northern Sanaa province.
The clashes since late Sunday followed the killing of a general of the Republican Guard during fighting with one of the elite's military base in Arhab district, which the Defense Ministry blamed the attack on the opposition forces.
The Defense Ministry said that the rebels were seeking to capture the military bases in northern Sanaa in bid to seize the Sanaa International Airport and northern entrances of the capital.
On Saturday, President Ali Abdullah Saleh warned his opponents of "harsh and decisive response if they continue to attack the Republican Guard forces."
The volatile regions have been the front-line of almost daily clashes between the rival forces since late May.
Yemen has been gripped by a political crisis since protests calling for an end to Saleh's 33-year rule which began in January.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 19:28:01 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Syrian president says AL rejection of amendments provides cover for West's intervention
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has accused the Arab League (AL) of trying to internationalize the crisis in his country to find a cover for a foreign military intervention in Syria, as the latter rebuffed Damascus' proposals regarding regional observers' monitoring mission to Syria.
During an interview with the British Sunday Times published Sunday, al-Assad said that the AL initiative was aimed at giving the international community an excuse to meddle in his country.
"It's been done to show that there's a problem between the Arabs, thus providing western countries with a pretext to conduct a military intervention against Syria," he was quoted as saying.
He, however, warned that the consequence of any such intervention would be an earthquake that would shake the entire Middle East.
The AL rejected on Sunday Syria's proposed modifications on the mission of a 500-member delegation to visit the country, saying that the proposals introduced "drastic changes" to the mission of the observers.
The Syrian proposals changed the nature of the mission's task that aims to solve the Syrian crisis and protect civilians, the AL said in a statement.
But Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem accused shortly after the AL's rejection that the regional body of being used as a tool to take the Syrian crisis to the UN Security Council.
He, however, said that "I will reply to the AL Secretary General's message and I will ask a group of questions that are based on our national sovereignty and that have emerged from our desire to clarify the reality of the monitoring mission and how to assure its members' safety, because, the protocol ignores the coordination with the Syrian side."
The AL suspended Syria's membership Wednesday in Rabat of Morocco, citing its failure to honor an agreed-upon peace plan that called on the Syrian leadership to withdraw the government's tanks from the streets and release political prisoners in addition to halt attacks against civilians.
It also issued a draft deal to send an Arab mission of 500 observers to monitor the situation in Syria from the ground and gave the Syrian government three days to sign it.
The Syrian government has proposed modifications to the AL just inside given the three-day deadline. Media reports claimed that Syria has accepted the observers' visit but asked for a smaller delegation.
Al-Assad's administration is facing swelling international pressures to end his alleged crackdown on anti-regime movement, and internally as alleged army defectors have been carrying out assaults against security and army bases.
From their side, a number of Syrian opposition figures called on Sunday for an immediate halt of all violent acts in the country to preserve the country from falling into the "trap set for the country by foreign powers."
A statement signed by about two dozens of opposition figures said that "due to the worrisome and dangerous news" emerging from the central province of Homs, "we appeal for persevering the unity of our people and homeland."
The signatories called for the halt of all violent acts, which they said "would harm all of you without exceptions and will undermine ... our national unity."
"Stop violence... Don't get involved in a fighting from which you will all emerge as losers," the statement said.
The AL said on Sunday that it will hold an emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo on Thursday to continue discussions on the Syrian crisis.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 18:15:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
During an interview with the British Sunday Times published Sunday, al-Assad said that the AL initiative was aimed at giving the international community an excuse to meddle in his country.
"It's been done to show that there's a problem between the Arabs, thus providing western countries with a pretext to conduct a military intervention against Syria," he was quoted as saying.
He, however, warned that the consequence of any such intervention would be an earthquake that would shake the entire Middle East.
The AL rejected on Sunday Syria's proposed modifications on the mission of a 500-member delegation to visit the country, saying that the proposals introduced "drastic changes" to the mission of the observers.
The Syrian proposals changed the nature of the mission's task that aims to solve the Syrian crisis and protect civilians, the AL said in a statement.
But Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem accused shortly after the AL's rejection that the regional body of being used as a tool to take the Syrian crisis to the UN Security Council.
He, however, said that "I will reply to the AL Secretary General's message and I will ask a group of questions that are based on our national sovereignty and that have emerged from our desire to clarify the reality of the monitoring mission and how to assure its members' safety, because, the protocol ignores the coordination with the Syrian side."
The AL suspended Syria's membership Wednesday in Rabat of Morocco, citing its failure to honor an agreed-upon peace plan that called on the Syrian leadership to withdraw the government's tanks from the streets and release political prisoners in addition to halt attacks against civilians.
It also issued a draft deal to send an Arab mission of 500 observers to monitor the situation in Syria from the ground and gave the Syrian government three days to sign it.
The Syrian government has proposed modifications to the AL just inside given the three-day deadline. Media reports claimed that Syria has accepted the observers' visit but asked for a smaller delegation.
Al-Assad's administration is facing swelling international pressures to end his alleged crackdown on anti-regime movement, and internally as alleged army defectors have been carrying out assaults against security and army bases.
From their side, a number of Syrian opposition figures called on Sunday for an immediate halt of all violent acts in the country to preserve the country from falling into the "trap set for the country by foreign powers."
A statement signed by about two dozens of opposition figures said that "due to the worrisome and dangerous news" emerging from the central province of Homs, "we appeal for persevering the unity of our people and homeland."
The signatories called for the halt of all violent acts, which they said "would harm all of you without exceptions and will undermine ... our national unity."
"Stop violence... Don't get involved in a fighting from which you will all emerge as losers," the statement said.
The AL said on Sunday that it will hold an emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo on Thursday to continue discussions on the Syrian crisis.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 18:15:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
King Abdullah of Jordan arrives in West Bank
King Abdullah of Jordan arrives in West Bank
King Abdullah II of Jordan arrived Monday in the West Bank city of Ramallah on a sudden visit and was greeted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The king's helicopter landed in the Palestinian presidential headquarters where Abbas, other senior Palestinian officials and the honor guard welcomed the king on his first visit to the Palestinian territories since 1999.
A Palestine Liberation Organization official on Sunday revealed the sudden visit, which comes a year after the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians stalled due to differences on Jewish settlements building in the West Bank.
The king is expected to talk with Abbas on efforts to revive peace negotiations and the seemingly unfruitful Palestinian bid for full United Nations membership, he said.
They will also discuss tensions between Washington and the Palestinians over the UN bid and Abbas' plans to reconcile with Hamas, which ousted his forces and took over Gaza in 2007, he added.
The king's visit comes ahead of a planned meeting between Abbas and Khaled Mashaal, the head of the Islamic Hamas movement, on pushing forward national reconciliation that Cairo brokered in May.
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 17:40:06 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
King Abdullah II of Jordan arrived Monday in the West Bank city of Ramallah on a sudden visit and was greeted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The king's helicopter landed in the Palestinian presidential headquarters where Abbas, other senior Palestinian officials and the honor guard welcomed the king on his first visit to the Palestinian territories since 1999.
A Palestine Liberation Organization official on Sunday revealed the sudden visit, which comes a year after the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians stalled due to differences on Jewish settlements building in the West Bank.
The king is expected to talk with Abbas on efforts to revive peace negotiations and the seemingly unfruitful Palestinian bid for full United Nations membership, he said.
They will also discuss tensions between Washington and the Palestinians over the UN bid and Abbas' plans to reconcile with Hamas, which ousted his forces and took over Gaza in 2007, he added.
The king's visit comes ahead of a planned meeting between Abbas and Khaled Mashaal, the head of the Islamic Hamas movement, on pushing forward national reconciliation that Cairo brokered in May.
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 17:40:06 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Iran says IAEA resolution lacks credibility, effectiveness
Iran says IAEA resolution lacks credibility, effectiveness
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said that the recent resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against Iran lacks credibility and effectiveness, the official IRNA news agency reported on Monday.
"IAEA has no other option but cooperating and interacting with the Iranian government," Salehi told reporters, adding that the agency should soften its approach towards the Islamic Republic.
The board of the IAEA adopted a resolution Friday on Iran's disputed nuclear program, calling for intensified dialogue to find solutions to unresolved issues.
While voicing "deep and increasing concern" over the country's nuclear program, the UN atomic watchdog said it was "essential" for Iran and the IAEA to "intensify their dialogue" aiming at the "urgent" resolution of all outstanding issues. But Iranian officials stressed Saturday that the resolution will not stop the country's nuclear program.
Salehi said that Iran has voiced its readiness for cooperation with the agency on the condition that the cooperation falls within the framework of IAEA's regulations, said the report.
"Amano (IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano) had threatened to publish documents against Iran long time ago, but now that he has issued them nothing happened," Salehi was quoted as saying.
Amano made big historic mistakes in his report and the IAEA will come to realize its big mistakes in the future, he said.
"According to its charter, IAEA is not allowed to publicize any sort of documents (which are related to the members' nuclear activities) and Amano acted against IAEA's regulations," the foreign minister said.
Despite the IAEA's unjust approach, the Islamic Republic does not want the agency to become more discredited, he said, according to IRNA.
Earlier this month, the IAEA said in its latest report on Iran' s nuclear program that "credible" evidence showed that Iran has been seeking to obtain nuclear weapons. But Tehran immediately rejected the report, calling it "imbalanced, non-professional and politically-motivated."
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 16:07:42 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said that the recent resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against Iran lacks credibility and effectiveness, the official IRNA news agency reported on Monday.
"IAEA has no other option but cooperating and interacting with the Iranian government," Salehi told reporters, adding that the agency should soften its approach towards the Islamic Republic.
The board of the IAEA adopted a resolution Friday on Iran's disputed nuclear program, calling for intensified dialogue to find solutions to unresolved issues.
While voicing "deep and increasing concern" over the country's nuclear program, the UN atomic watchdog said it was "essential" for Iran and the IAEA to "intensify their dialogue" aiming at the "urgent" resolution of all outstanding issues. But Iranian officials stressed Saturday that the resolution will not stop the country's nuclear program.
Salehi said that Iran has voiced its readiness for cooperation with the agency on the condition that the cooperation falls within the framework of IAEA's regulations, said the report.
"Amano (IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano) had threatened to publish documents against Iran long time ago, but now that he has issued them nothing happened," Salehi was quoted as saying.
Amano made big historic mistakes in his report and the IAEA will come to realize its big mistakes in the future, he said.
"According to its charter, IAEA is not allowed to publicize any sort of documents (which are related to the members' nuclear activities) and Amano acted against IAEA's regulations," the foreign minister said.
Despite the IAEA's unjust approach, the Islamic Republic does not want the agency to become more discredited, he said, according to IRNA.
Earlier this month, the IAEA said in its latest report on Iran' s nuclear program that "credible" evidence showed that Iran has been seeking to obtain nuclear weapons. But Tehran immediately rejected the report, calling it "imbalanced, non-professional and politically-motivated."
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 16:07:42 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Jordanian king to visit West Bank on Monday
Jordanian king to visit West Bank on Monday
King Abdullah II of Jordan will pay a brief visit to the West Bank and meet with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, a Palestinian official said Sunday.
A senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the king and the Palestinian leader will talk over a number of issues in the West Bank city of Ramallah, including the stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace process, Palestinians' bid for UN membership, and the reconciliation between Fatah with Hamas that took over the Gaza Strip in 2007.
King Abdullah II's visit comes a year after peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down, due to disputes over the Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank.
The visit also comes ahead of a planned meeting between Abbas and Khaled Mashaal, head of Hamas, to push forward the implementation of an Egypt-brokered national reconciliation deal signed in May.
The Jordanian king is expected to express support to the Palestinian leadership in its request to establish a state on the lands that Israel occupied in 1967 and reject Israel's idea to make Jordan an alternative land for Palestinians.
Earlier Sunday, Abbas held a meeting with a Jordanian parliamentary delegation, during which he said "Jordan is for Jordanians and Palestine for Palestinians," the official Wafa news agency reported.
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 11:31:20 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
King Abdullah II of Jordan will pay a brief visit to the West Bank and meet with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, a Palestinian official said Sunday.
A senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the king and the Palestinian leader will talk over a number of issues in the West Bank city of Ramallah, including the stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace process, Palestinians' bid for UN membership, and the reconciliation between Fatah with Hamas that took over the Gaza Strip in 2007.
King Abdullah II's visit comes a year after peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down, due to disputes over the Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank.
The visit also comes ahead of a planned meeting between Abbas and Khaled Mashaal, head of Hamas, to push forward the implementation of an Egypt-brokered national reconciliation deal signed in May.
The Jordanian king is expected to express support to the Palestinian leadership in its request to establish a state on the lands that Israel occupied in 1967 and reject Israel's idea to make Jordan an alternative land for Palestinians.
Earlier Sunday, Abbas held a meeting with a Jordanian parliamentary delegation, during which he said "Jordan is for Jordanians and Palestine for Palestinians," the official Wafa news agency reported.
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 11:31:20 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Iran's reformist Etemad daily temporarily banned
Iran's reformist Etemad daily temporarily banned
The Iranian public prosecutor's office ordered the ban of the reformist Etemad newspaper for two months on Sunday for "disseminating lies and insulting officials," the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
According to Etemad's Director Elias Hazrati, one of the reasons for the paper's shutdown was a story published on its Saturday edition based on an interview with Ali-Akbar Javanfekr, the media adviser to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
During the interview, Javanfekr criticized the conservatives who accused some of Ahmadinejad's aides of undermining the Islamic establishment and principles.
Etemad has already been banned several times for its alleged violation of media law.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 05:57:37 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
The Iranian public prosecutor's office ordered the ban of the reformist Etemad newspaper for two months on Sunday for "disseminating lies and insulting officials," the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
According to Etemad's Director Elias Hazrati, one of the reasons for the paper's shutdown was a story published on its Saturday edition based on an interview with Ali-Akbar Javanfekr, the media adviser to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
During the interview, Javanfekr criticized the conservatives who accused some of Ahmadinejad's aides of undermining the Islamic establishment and principles.
Etemad has already been banned several times for its alleged violation of media law.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 05:57:37 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Syrian authorities arrest 58 wanted people in central region
Syrian authorities arrest 58 wanted people in central region
Syrian authorities arrested about 58 gunmen in the country's central region, the official SANA news agency reported.
The authorities have rounded up dozens of wanted people over the past week during its operations against those who had attacked government establishment and army bases.
The country's central region, mainly Homs province, has emerged as a hub of armed insurrections against the government forces. The protests in the area have turned to be violent as many civilians, security agents and policemen were killed.
Meanwhile, Syrian opposition on Sunday called for an immediate halt of all violent acts in the country in case of "the trap set for the country by foreign powers."
A statement signed by around two dozens of opposition figures, including economist Aref Dalila, writer Michel Kilo, Fayez Sarah, Hussein Oudat, and Hazem Nahhar, said "due to the worrisome and dangerous news" emerging from the central province of Homs "we appeal for persevering the unity of our people and homeland."
They called for the halt of all violent acts which "would harm all of you without exceptions and will undermine... our national unity."
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 05:56:38 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Syrian authorities arrested about 58 gunmen in the country's central region, the official SANA news agency reported.
The authorities have rounded up dozens of wanted people over the past week during its operations against those who had attacked government establishment and army bases.
The country's central region, mainly Homs province, has emerged as a hub of armed insurrections against the government forces. The protests in the area have turned to be violent as many civilians, security agents and policemen were killed.
Meanwhile, Syrian opposition on Sunday called for an immediate halt of all violent acts in the country in case of "the trap set for the country by foreign powers."
A statement signed by around two dozens of opposition figures, including economist Aref Dalila, writer Michel Kilo, Fayez Sarah, Hussein Oudat, and Hazem Nahhar, said "due to the worrisome and dangerous news" emerging from the central province of Homs "we appeal for persevering the unity of our people and homeland."
They called for the halt of all violent acts which "would harm all of you without exceptions and will undermine... our national unity."
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 05:56:38 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
No progress in power-transfer talks between Yemeni government, opposition
No progress in power-transfer talks between Yemeni government, opposition
Yemeni Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi met with opposition leaders here on Sunday, trying to reach a power-transfer agreement upon the request of visiting UN envoy Jamal bin Omar. However, no progress was made during the talks, government and opposition officials said.
"No progress has been made until this moment, nothing new," opposition spokesman Mohamed Qahtan told Xinhua.
"We (opposition representatives) have met with representatives of Saleh's ruling party, including Hadi upon the request of visiting UN envoy who is running the talks... but no progress or no compromise was achieved as Saleh still sticks to his conditions and refuses to transfer power peacefully," he added.
On the other hand, an official of Saleh's office told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that "it seems that no deal will be inked as long as the opposition refused to make any concession."
The government official also said that the UN Security Council postponed a meeting to discuss the implementation of Resolution 2014 which aims to solve the months long crisis in Yemen.
Bin Omar arrived in Yemen on Nov. 10 to follow up the implementation of the UN resolution and called on Saleh to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative to peacefully transfer power to his deputy Hadi in return for immunity from prosecution.
Saleh has backed out of signing the initiative for three times in the last minutes since it was brokered in April, confronting the 10-month-old protests.
Meanwhile, tension is simmering after General Abdulsalam al- Sufyani of the Republican Guard military base in Arahab district in northern Sanaa province was killed on Sunday during clashes with the defected army and dissident armed tribesmen, a day after Saleh warned his opponents of "harsh and decisive response if they continue to attack the Republican Guard forces."
The Defence Ministry accused the defected army and opposition- led tribal rebels of attacking the Republican Guard military base and killing the general, which opposition officials refused to give comment.
In the capital Sanaa, witnesses said that the government, the defected army and armed tribesmen recently deployed more forces to the frontline.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 03:58:51 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Yemeni Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi met with opposition leaders here on Sunday, trying to reach a power-transfer agreement upon the request of visiting UN envoy Jamal bin Omar. However, no progress was made during the talks, government and opposition officials said.
"No progress has been made until this moment, nothing new," opposition spokesman Mohamed Qahtan told Xinhua.
"We (opposition representatives) have met with representatives of Saleh's ruling party, including Hadi upon the request of visiting UN envoy who is running the talks... but no progress or no compromise was achieved as Saleh still sticks to his conditions and refuses to transfer power peacefully," he added.
On the other hand, an official of Saleh's office told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that "it seems that no deal will be inked as long as the opposition refused to make any concession."
The government official also said that the UN Security Council postponed a meeting to discuss the implementation of Resolution 2014 which aims to solve the months long crisis in Yemen.
Bin Omar arrived in Yemen on Nov. 10 to follow up the implementation of the UN resolution and called on Saleh to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative to peacefully transfer power to his deputy Hadi in return for immunity from prosecution.
Saleh has backed out of signing the initiative for three times in the last minutes since it was brokered in April, confronting the 10-month-old protests.
Meanwhile, tension is simmering after General Abdulsalam al- Sufyani of the Republican Guard military base in Arahab district in northern Sanaa province was killed on Sunday during clashes with the defected army and dissident armed tribesmen, a day after Saleh warned his opponents of "harsh and decisive response if they continue to attack the Republican Guard forces."
The Defence Ministry accused the defected army and opposition- led tribal rebels of attacking the Republican Guard military base and killing the general, which opposition officials refused to give comment.
In the capital Sanaa, witnesses said that the government, the defected army and armed tribesmen recently deployed more forces to the frontline.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 03:58:51 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Iranian president's media advisor sentenced to prison
Iranian president's media advisor sentenced to prison
A Tehran court sentenced on Sunday President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's media adviser Ali-Akbar Javanfekr to one year jail term and banned him from engaging in media activities for three years, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
Javanfekr was convicted of publishing an article and pictures in local Iran daily's August 13 special edition which allegedly insulted the Islamic women's dress code.
On Sunday, the Iranian public prosecutor's office ordered the ban of the reformist Etemad newspaper for two months, for publishing a story based on an interview with Javanfekr and for " disseminating lies and insulting officials."
During the interview, Javanfekr criticized the conservatives who accused some of Ahmadinejad's aides of undermining the Islamic establishment and principles.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 03:57:58 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
A Tehran court sentenced on Sunday President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's media adviser Ali-Akbar Javanfekr to one year jail term and banned him from engaging in media activities for three years, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
Javanfekr was convicted of publishing an article and pictures in local Iran daily's August 13 special edition which allegedly insulted the Islamic women's dress code.
On Sunday, the Iranian public prosecutor's office ordered the ban of the reformist Etemad newspaper for two months, for publishing a story based on an interview with Javanfekr and for " disseminating lies and insulting officials."
During the interview, Javanfekr criticized the conservatives who accused some of Ahmadinejad's aides of undermining the Islamic establishment and principles.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 03:57:58 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Netanyahu intervenes to resolve feud between Israel's spy agency, foreign ministry
Netanyahu intervenes to resolve feud between Israel's spy agency, foreign ministry
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday stepped in to resolve a dispute between Israel 's Mossad intelligence agency and the Foreign Ministry that in recent weeks brought cooperation between the organizations to a grinding halt.
Netanyahu on Sunday summoned Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Mossad chief Tamir Pardo for a meeting at the end of which both men agreed to put their disagreements behind them, Army Radio reported.
Tensions between the two bodies intensified as of late, after Lieberman discovered that the fabled spook shop withheld details from him regarding contacts it held with a foreign country or possibly a clandestine operation conducted abroad, Israeli media reported Friday.
Lieberman, enraged by the prospect that Mossad was meddling in the jurisdiction of Israel's diplomatic community while, at the same time, refusing to share its intelligence output with diplomats, ordered his ministry to sever ties with the agency.
Some of the punitive measures included a refusal to issue diplomatic passports and visas to Mossad officials, as well as holding off the transfer of classified cables received from the Foreign Ministry's missions abroad.
Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonot on Friday attributed the latest feud to a recent decision by Netanyahu to entrust the task of mending Israel's ties with Turkey to David Meidan, a former top Mossad official who successfully negotiated a prisoner-swap deal with the Islamic Hamas Movement for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in October.
Mark Regev, a Netanyahu spokesman, declined to comment on reports earlier this month that Meidan is due to head to Ankara to seek a compromise on the wording of a formal Israeli apology for the deaths of nine Turkish nationals, killed in a naval raid aboard a ship that attempted to breach Israel's maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip in May 2010. Ankara has conditioned the normalization of bilateral ties on such an apology.
The traditional turf war between Mossad and the Foreign Ministry, usually fought over the former's refusal to share intelligence, upped a notch since Lieberman's appointment to foreign minister in 2009, with bureaucratic confrontations periodically leading to mutual accusations and boycotts.
Earlier this year, Mossad officers allegedly volunteered to temporarily assume the duties of diplomats when the latter launched a strike over low pay and work conditions.
Israeli officials on Friday said Netanyahu is mulling to establish a government panel that would clearly set the division of labor and power between Mossad and the diplomatic community, in order to prevent future similar crises.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 02:38:36 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday stepped in to resolve a dispute between Israel 's Mossad intelligence agency and the Foreign Ministry that in recent weeks brought cooperation between the organizations to a grinding halt.
Netanyahu on Sunday summoned Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Mossad chief Tamir Pardo for a meeting at the end of which both men agreed to put their disagreements behind them, Army Radio reported.
Tensions between the two bodies intensified as of late, after Lieberman discovered that the fabled spook shop withheld details from him regarding contacts it held with a foreign country or possibly a clandestine operation conducted abroad, Israeli media reported Friday.
Lieberman, enraged by the prospect that Mossad was meddling in the jurisdiction of Israel's diplomatic community while, at the same time, refusing to share its intelligence output with diplomats, ordered his ministry to sever ties with the agency.
Some of the punitive measures included a refusal to issue diplomatic passports and visas to Mossad officials, as well as holding off the transfer of classified cables received from the Foreign Ministry's missions abroad.
Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonot on Friday attributed the latest feud to a recent decision by Netanyahu to entrust the task of mending Israel's ties with Turkey to David Meidan, a former top Mossad official who successfully negotiated a prisoner-swap deal with the Islamic Hamas Movement for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in October.
Mark Regev, a Netanyahu spokesman, declined to comment on reports earlier this month that Meidan is due to head to Ankara to seek a compromise on the wording of a formal Israeli apology for the deaths of nine Turkish nationals, killed in a naval raid aboard a ship that attempted to breach Israel's maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip in May 2010. Ankara has conditioned the normalization of bilateral ties on such an apology.
The traditional turf war between Mossad and the Foreign Ministry, usually fought over the former's refusal to share intelligence, upped a notch since Lieberman's appointment to foreign minister in 2009, with bureaucratic confrontations periodically leading to mutual accusations and boycotts.
Earlier this year, Mossad officers allegedly volunteered to temporarily assume the duties of diplomats when the latter launched a strike over low pay and work conditions.
Israeli officials on Friday said Netanyahu is mulling to establish a government panel that would clearly set the division of labor and power between Mossad and the diplomatic community, in order to prevent future similar crises.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 02:38:36 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Police clash with protesters in central Cairo, 3 die
Police clash with protesters in central Cairo, 3 die
Three people died and 192 others were injured in continued clashes between protesters and police in central Cairo Sunday, health ministry officials said.
Sunday's three new deaths raised the death toll from the two days of conflicts to five, with more than 1,000 others injured.
The Egyptian government said Sunday the parliamentary elections would start as scheduled despite the latest protests.
The current situation was an attempt to delay and cancel the elections to block the building of a new state, the government said in a statement.
Clashes continued for the second day in Cairo, Alexandria and some other places across the country. In Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, tens of thousands of people gathered on Sunday morning. Some attempted to storm the Interior Ministry building nearby, but were stopped by riot police.
In Alexandria, police fired tear gas to disperse large crowds of protesters. In Cairo and Alexandria, two protesters were killed by gun shots on Saturday.
The violence raised concerns about the security for the historic parliamentary vote on Nov. 28. The Interior Ministry has said it is capable of securing the elections.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 02:37:23 FeedbackPrintRSS
CAIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Three people died and 192 others were injured in continued clashes between protesters and police in central Cairo Sunday, health ministry officials said.
Sunday's three new deaths raised the death toll from the two days of conflicts to five, with more than 1,000 others injured.
The Egyptian government said Sunday the parliamentary elections would start as scheduled despite the latest protests.
The current situation was an attempt to delay and cancel the elections to block the building of a new state, the government said in a statement.
Clashes continued for the second day in Cairo, Alexandria and some other places across the country. In Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, tens of thousands of people gathered on Sunday morning. Some attempted to storm the Interior Ministry building nearby, but were stopped by riot police.
In Alexandria, police fired tear gas to disperse large crowds of protesters. In Cairo and Alexandria, two protesters were killed by gun shots on Saturday.
The violence raised concerns about the security for the historic parliamentary vote on Nov. 28. The Interior Ministry has said it is capable of securing the elections.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 02:37:23 FeedbackPrintRSS
CAIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Egyptian security forces dispersing protestors from Tahrir Square
Egyptian security forces dispersing protestors from Tahrir Square
Joint forces of the Egyptian police and military forces started Sunday evening to evacuate protestors from central Cairo's Tahrir Square, Egyptian Nile TV reported.
The military police fired tear gas at demonstrators when the clashes erupted between the security forces and protesters in the square, the TV said.
Many of the protestors fled into the side streets after the forces' effort to clear the square, which has been witnessing demonstrations from Friday calling for the ruling military council to hand power to civilians.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 00:29:31 FeedbackPrintRSS
CAIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Joint forces of the Egyptian police and military forces started Sunday evening to evacuate protestors from central Cairo's Tahrir Square, Egyptian Nile TV reported.
The military police fired tear gas at demonstrators when the clashes erupted between the security forces and protesters in the square, the TV said.
Many of the protestors fled into the side streets after the forces' effort to clear the square, which has been witnessing demonstrations from Friday calling for the ruling military council to hand power to civilians.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 00:29:31 FeedbackPrintRSS
CAIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
AL to hold emergency meeting Thursday on Syria crisis
AL to hold emergency meeting Thursday on Syria crisis
The Arab League (AL) said on Sunday it will hold an emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the Syrian crisis, Egypt's state media reported.
A ministerial committee charged with handling the Syrian crisis will hold a meeting on Wednesday to prepare for the ministerial meeting, Deputy AL Secretary General Ahmed bin Helli was quoted saying.
The ministerial commission chaired by Qatar comprises the foreign ministers of Egypt, Oman, Sudan and Algeria in addition to AL chief Nabil al-Arabi.
The call for the urgent meeting came as the Arab League rejected Sunday Syria's proposed modifications on the mission of a 500-member delegation to visit the country.
The Syrian proposals changed the nature of the mission's task that aims to solve the Syrian crisis and protect civilians, the Arab League said in a statement.
The AL stressed that it was concerned with tackling the Syrian crisis within the Arab framework by working to end the violence and get the Syrian people aspirations in carrying out political, economic and social reforms.
The AL issued Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, a draft deal on the Arab mission of 500 observers to Syria and gave the Syrian government three days to sign it after the regional group suspended Syria's membership.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem suggested Thursday modifications on the AL's deal.
Editor: Tang Danlu
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 21:47:00 FeedbackPrintRSS
CAIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
The Arab League (AL) said on Sunday it will hold an emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the Syrian crisis, Egypt's state media reported.
A ministerial committee charged with handling the Syrian crisis will hold a meeting on Wednesday to prepare for the ministerial meeting, Deputy AL Secretary General Ahmed bin Helli was quoted saying.
The ministerial commission chaired by Qatar comprises the foreign ministers of Egypt, Oman, Sudan and Algeria in addition to AL chief Nabil al-Arabi.
The call for the urgent meeting came as the Arab League rejected Sunday Syria's proposed modifications on the mission of a 500-member delegation to visit the country.
The Syrian proposals changed the nature of the mission's task that aims to solve the Syrian crisis and protect civilians, the Arab League said in a statement.
The AL stressed that it was concerned with tackling the Syrian crisis within the Arab framework by working to end the violence and get the Syrian people aspirations in carrying out political, economic and social reforms.
The AL issued Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, a draft deal on the Arab mission of 500 observers to Syria and gave the Syrian government three days to sign it after the regional group suspended Syria's membership.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem suggested Thursday modifications on the AL's deal.
Editor: Tang Danlu
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 21:47:00 FeedbackPrintRSS
CAIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
U.S., West pressures not to stop Iran's nuclear program: speaker
U.S., West pressures not to stop Iran's nuclear program: speaker
Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said on Sunday that the pressure imposed by the United States and the West would not affect the continuation of Iran's nuclear program.
"Iran's parliament clearly announces that such U.S. and western countries' actions would never affect Iran's nuclear issue," Larijani was quoted by the semi-official ISNA news agency as saying.
Larijani's remarks followed similar comments from a number of Iranian officials in response to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s resolution adopted Friday on Tehran's disputed nuclear program, which called for intensified dialogue to find solutions to unresolved issues.
While voicing "deep and increasing concern" over the country's nuclear program, the UN atomic watchdog said that it was " essential" for Iran and the IAEA to "intensify their dialogue" aiming at the "urgent" solution of all outstanding issues.
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 20:50:22 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said on Sunday that the pressure imposed by the United States and the West would not affect the continuation of Iran's nuclear program.
"Iran's parliament clearly announces that such U.S. and western countries' actions would never affect Iran's nuclear issue," Larijani was quoted by the semi-official ISNA news agency as saying.
Larijani's remarks followed similar comments from a number of Iranian officials in response to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s resolution adopted Friday on Tehran's disputed nuclear program, which called for intensified dialogue to find solutions to unresolved issues.
While voicing "deep and increasing concern" over the country's nuclear program, the UN atomic watchdog said that it was " essential" for Iran and the IAEA to "intensify their dialogue" aiming at the "urgent" solution of all outstanding issues.
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 20:50:22 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
One killed, 3 injured in Iraq's Diyala
One killed, 3 injured in Iraq's Diyala
A civilian was killed and three others were injured on Sunday in separate bomb attacks in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, the police said.
A civilian was killed when a sticky bomb attached to his car detonated in Himreen area, some 110 km northeast of the capital Baghdad, a source from Diyala's provincial operations command told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
In a separate incident, three civilians were wounded when a roadside bomb went off outside a house in the town of Abbarah near the provincial capital city of Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, the source said.
Also in Diyala, Iraqi security forces carried out search operations across the province during the past 24 hours and arrested six suspects, including two individuals wanted for charges of terrorism, the source added.
The province of Diyala, which stretches from the eastern edges of Baghdad to the Iranian border east of the country, has long been a stronghold for al-Qaida militants and other insurgent groups since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 20:45:22 FeedbackPrintRSS
BAQUBA, Iraq, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
A civilian was killed and three others were injured on Sunday in separate bomb attacks in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, the police said.
A civilian was killed when a sticky bomb attached to his car detonated in Himreen area, some 110 km northeast of the capital Baghdad, a source from Diyala's provincial operations command told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
In a separate incident, three civilians were wounded when a roadside bomb went off outside a house in the town of Abbarah near the provincial capital city of Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, the source said.
Also in Diyala, Iraqi security forces carried out search operations across the province during the past 24 hours and arrested six suspects, including two individuals wanted for charges of terrorism, the source added.
The province of Diyala, which stretches from the eastern edges of Baghdad to the Iranian border east of the country, has long been a stronghold for al-Qaida militants and other insurgent groups since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 20:45:22 FeedbackPrintRSS
BAQUBA, Iraq, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Israel's Mossad to display secret memorabilia from former Nazi's capture
Israel's Mossad to display secret memorabilia from former Nazi's capture
Half a century after the dramatic trial and execution of the Nazi architect of the Holocaust, Adolph Eichmann, Israel's Mossad spy agency is mounting a display of the until-now secret paraphernalia used in his capture.
Eichmann, who an Israeli court found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in organizing the logistics of the European death camps where six million Jews were murdered, escaped U.S. Army custody at the end of the Second World War and fled to Argentina.
He then lived in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires under a false identity until his discovery and capture by a team of Mossad agents in 1960, who brought him to Israel to stand trial.
One of the first missions the Mossad was tasked with at its inception in 1949, a year after Israel became a sovereign nation, was to track down accused Nazi war criminals.
Among the items to be shown in the traveling exhibition are never-before-seen photos of the capture and medical equipment used in the clandestine operation to get him to Israel.
Additionally, the blindfold used to cover his eyes during the capture, the false documents used to spirit him out of the country, as well as the court order for his execution will also be displayed.
Eichmann, who was found guilty and executed by hanging in 1962, is the only person ever put to death by an Israeli civilian court.
The items will go on display under 24-hour guard at the Knesset parliament in Jerusalem on Dec. 15, and later be displayed countrywide.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 20:40:19 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Half a century after the dramatic trial and execution of the Nazi architect of the Holocaust, Adolph Eichmann, Israel's Mossad spy agency is mounting a display of the until-now secret paraphernalia used in his capture.
Eichmann, who an Israeli court found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in organizing the logistics of the European death camps where six million Jews were murdered, escaped U.S. Army custody at the end of the Second World War and fled to Argentina.
He then lived in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires under a false identity until his discovery and capture by a team of Mossad agents in 1960, who brought him to Israel to stand trial.
One of the first missions the Mossad was tasked with at its inception in 1949, a year after Israel became a sovereign nation, was to track down accused Nazi war criminals.
Among the items to be shown in the traveling exhibition are never-before-seen photos of the capture and medical equipment used in the clandestine operation to get him to Israel.
Additionally, the blindfold used to cover his eyes during the capture, the false documents used to spirit him out of the country, as well as the court order for his execution will also be displayed.
Eichmann, who was found guilty and executed by hanging in 1962, is the only person ever put to death by an Israeli civilian court.
The items will go on display under 24-hour guard at the Knesset parliament in Jerusalem on Dec. 15, and later be displayed countrywide.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 20:40:19 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Sunday, November 6, 2011
11 Hungarian tourists killed, 27 injured in Egypt bus crash
11 Hungarian tourists killed, 27 injured in Egypt bus crash
Eleven Hungarian tourists were killed and 27 others injured when their bus overturned in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada Sunday, according to Egyptian official news agency MENA.
The accident took place at the entrance of Hurghada, 510 kilometers southeast of Egypt's capital of Cairo. According to the reports, the tourists were heading to Hurghada airport when the driver of their bus lost control of the steering wheel while taking a curve.
The injured were rushed to the Hurghada Hospital and the bodies were taken to the hospital's morgue.
Road accidents are common in Egypt due to poor road conditions and lax enforcement of traffic laws in the country.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-07 04:44:02 FeedbackPrintRSS
Cairo, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Eleven Hungarian tourists were killed and 27 others injured when their bus overturned in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada Sunday, according to Egyptian official news agency MENA.
The accident took place at the entrance of Hurghada, 510 kilometers southeast of Egypt's capital of Cairo. According to the reports, the tourists were heading to Hurghada airport when the driver of their bus lost control of the steering wheel while taking a curve.
The injured were rushed to the Hurghada Hospital and the bodies were taken to the hospital's morgue.
Road accidents are common in Egypt due to poor road conditions and lax enforcement of traffic laws in the country.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-07 04:44:02 FeedbackPrintRSS
Cairo, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
News Analysis: Israel unlikely to strike Iran without alerting U.S.
News Analysis: Israel unlikely to strike Iran without alerting U.S.
The Israeli ambiguity over a possible air strike on Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program continues as the United Nations nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is scheduled to release its report on Iran's nuclear activity later this week.
Western and Middle Eastern countries are all concerned that Iran is using its intentions for civilian use of nuclear energy as a cover for producing nuclear weapons.
Israel considers the issue an existential threat, owing to numerous statements by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other leaders calling for destruction of the Jewish State.
The U.S. administration has lately been asking Israel to clarify its position on a possible military strike, perhaps even without alerting Washington beforehand.
During a visit to Israel in October, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Panetta, however, reportedly left without a clear answer regarding Israel's true intentions.
"It's very hard for me to see them (strike Iran) without coordination with the U.S.," Prof. Joshua Teitelbaum, of the Interdisciplinary-Center in Herzliya, told Xinhua.
"It's such a big thing and it would involve crossing airspace where the U.S. is active in. They would need some kind of coordination with the Americans to do this," he said.
In addition, an Iranian retaliation could target U.S. ground forces stationed in Iraq and Kuwait, as well as the American naval base in Qatar, the professor said.
SANCTIONS
"There's an increasing sense of urgency on the issue now, and Israel is becoming more outspoken about it as a way to pressure the U.S. and other countries," Teitelbaum said. "The saber rattling serves to increase the urgency."
He argued that, for the U.S., which also pushes for tougher sanctions against Iran, the image of Israel as a nervous, unpredictable country could serve Washington's agenda, warning United Nations Security Council members to take action -- before Israel does.
Israel seems to be trying to project an image of a state with its "back against the wall," he argued, one that might take radical steps if it feels threatened. In the long run, however, Israel's best bet would be to take on a role as part of a collective international effort, and not as a unilateral actor, Teitelbaum said.
He added that when it comes to the military capabilities, "the assessment is that Israel can't do as much as the U.S. could."
While the Israel Air Force (IAF) in 1981 launched a successful raid on an Iraqi nuclear reactor, a mission to Iran is a completely different story. In Iraq there was only one target, as opposed to Iran where the alleged nuclear facilities are spread over the country and in some cases hidden underground.
REFOCUSING THE AGENDA
Prof. Shlomo Aronson, of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said that Netanyahu and Barak want to shift international attention to Iran, and to do this they "agreed upon putting the military option on the table."
"They have to make the military threats more visible without having made any decision to attack Iran, because this goes beyond the capabilities of Israel's air force and army," Aronson said.
The IAF is currently equipped with the American-made F-15 and F- 16 fighters, which lack the long-range capability to strike targets as far away as Iran without refueling midair.
While Israel has ordered a squadron -- 19 planes -- of the new U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, the first ones are scheduled to arrive no earlier than 2016.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-07 02:46:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Adam Gonn
JERUSALEM, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
The Israeli ambiguity over a possible air strike on Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program continues as the United Nations nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is scheduled to release its report on Iran's nuclear activity later this week.
Western and Middle Eastern countries are all concerned that Iran is using its intentions for civilian use of nuclear energy as a cover for producing nuclear weapons.
Israel considers the issue an existential threat, owing to numerous statements by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other leaders calling for destruction of the Jewish State.
The U.S. administration has lately been asking Israel to clarify its position on a possible military strike, perhaps even without alerting Washington beforehand.
During a visit to Israel in October, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Panetta, however, reportedly left without a clear answer regarding Israel's true intentions.
"It's very hard for me to see them (strike Iran) without coordination with the U.S.," Prof. Joshua Teitelbaum, of the Interdisciplinary-Center in Herzliya, told Xinhua.
"It's such a big thing and it would involve crossing airspace where the U.S. is active in. They would need some kind of coordination with the Americans to do this," he said.
In addition, an Iranian retaliation could target U.S. ground forces stationed in Iraq and Kuwait, as well as the American naval base in Qatar, the professor said.
SANCTIONS
"There's an increasing sense of urgency on the issue now, and Israel is becoming more outspoken about it as a way to pressure the U.S. and other countries," Teitelbaum said. "The saber rattling serves to increase the urgency."
He argued that, for the U.S., which also pushes for tougher sanctions against Iran, the image of Israel as a nervous, unpredictable country could serve Washington's agenda, warning United Nations Security Council members to take action -- before Israel does.
Israel seems to be trying to project an image of a state with its "back against the wall," he argued, one that might take radical steps if it feels threatened. In the long run, however, Israel's best bet would be to take on a role as part of a collective international effort, and not as a unilateral actor, Teitelbaum said.
He added that when it comes to the military capabilities, "the assessment is that Israel can't do as much as the U.S. could."
While the Israel Air Force (IAF) in 1981 launched a successful raid on an Iraqi nuclear reactor, a mission to Iran is a completely different story. In Iraq there was only one target, as opposed to Iran where the alleged nuclear facilities are spread over the country and in some cases hidden underground.
REFOCUSING THE AGENDA
Prof. Shlomo Aronson, of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said that Netanyahu and Barak want to shift international attention to Iran, and to do this they "agreed upon putting the military option on the table."
"They have to make the military threats more visible without having made any decision to attack Iran, because this goes beyond the capabilities of Israel's air force and army," Aronson said.
The IAF is currently equipped with the American-made F-15 and F- 16 fighters, which lack the long-range capability to strike targets as far away as Iran without refueling midair.
While Israel has ordered a squadron -- 19 planes -- of the new U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, the first ones are scheduled to arrive no earlier than 2016.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-07 02:46:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Adam Gonn
JERUSALEM, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Israeli police arrest suspect in Jerusalem stabbing attack
Israeli police arrest suspect in Jerusalem stabbing attack
Israel police and the Shin Bet internal security service have arrested a suspect in a knifing attack in Jerusalem, in which an Israeli youth was severely wounded two weeks ago, local media reported on Sunday following the lifting of a court-imposed gag order.
The man was named as Abdel al-Rahman Zaid, 20, a Palestinian student from the West Bank village of Beit Iksa.
On Oct. 22, he entered Ramot, a Jewish neighborhood in northwestern Jerusalem that borders the village, and stabbed Yehuda Ne'emad, 17, still hospitalized after incurring near fatal wounds. The suspect had also pursued a 12-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother who witnessed the attack before fleeing the scene.
"The suspect was arrested last Thursday after an investigation by police and Shin Bet," police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld told Xinhua.
Rosenfeld said al-Rahman Zaid had confessed to carrying out the attack and recreated it, telling investigators that he had planned the attack in advance.
Ramot, Jerusalem's largest neighborhood, is located beyond the pre-1967 war lines. Generally considered a safe place, the community has seen several similar attacks in the past.
The latest incident came just four days after a landmark prisoner-swap between Israel and Islamic group Hamas in which 477 Palestinian security prisoners, many of whom were serving life terms for lethal attacks against civilians, were freed from Israeli jails in exchange for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who spent more than five years in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Another 550 prisoners are due to be released in December.
Right-of-centers Israeli lawmakers blamed the attack on the Shalit deal, saying it spurred Palestinian extremists to launch more attacks against Israelis.
Also Sunday, police announced that they arrested more suspects in "price tag" incidents, a term for vandalism attacks by right- wing Jewish settlers against Palestinian and Israeli Arab property.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-07 00:18:40 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Israel police and the Shin Bet internal security service have arrested a suspect in a knifing attack in Jerusalem, in which an Israeli youth was severely wounded two weeks ago, local media reported on Sunday following the lifting of a court-imposed gag order.
The man was named as Abdel al-Rahman Zaid, 20, a Palestinian student from the West Bank village of Beit Iksa.
On Oct. 22, he entered Ramot, a Jewish neighborhood in northwestern Jerusalem that borders the village, and stabbed Yehuda Ne'emad, 17, still hospitalized after incurring near fatal wounds. The suspect had also pursued a 12-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother who witnessed the attack before fleeing the scene.
"The suspect was arrested last Thursday after an investigation by police and Shin Bet," police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld told Xinhua.
Rosenfeld said al-Rahman Zaid had confessed to carrying out the attack and recreated it, telling investigators that he had planned the attack in advance.
Ramot, Jerusalem's largest neighborhood, is located beyond the pre-1967 war lines. Generally considered a safe place, the community has seen several similar attacks in the past.
The latest incident came just four days after a landmark prisoner-swap between Israel and Islamic group Hamas in which 477 Palestinian security prisoners, many of whom were serving life terms for lethal attacks against civilians, were freed from Israeli jails in exchange for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who spent more than five years in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Another 550 prisoners are due to be released in December.
Right-of-centers Israeli lawmakers blamed the attack on the Shalit deal, saying it spurred Palestinian extremists to launch more attacks against Israelis.
Also Sunday, police announced that they arrested more suspects in "price tag" incidents, a term for vandalism attacks by right- wing Jewish settlers against Palestinian and Israeli Arab property.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-07 00:18:40 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Abbas: "Israeli escalation" increased after UNESCO membership
Abbas: "Israeli escalation" increased after UNESCO membership
Israeli escalation against Palestinian people increased after Palestine was accepted as a full member by UNESCO, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday.
As Abbas laid flowers on the grave of late leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank, he told reporters that the Israeli escalation " has never stopped," but targeted the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) more following last month's voting in UNESCO.
Abbas noted that Israel sped up settlement activities in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank and withheld tax revenues for the PNA. Israel took those two measures recently.
However, Abbas stressed that the Palestinians would go ahead with their plan to get full membership in the United Nations.
Abbas said the Palestinian leadership awaits responses to the membership application that was submitted to the UN Security Council in late September.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 23:19:40 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Israeli escalation against Palestinian people increased after Palestine was accepted as a full member by UNESCO, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday.
As Abbas laid flowers on the grave of late leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank, he told reporters that the Israeli escalation " has never stopped," but targeted the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) more following last month's voting in UNESCO.
Abbas noted that Israel sped up settlement activities in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank and withheld tax revenues for the PNA. Israel took those two measures recently.
However, Abbas stressed that the Palestinians would go ahead with their plan to get full membership in the United Nations.
Abbas said the Palestinian leadership awaits responses to the membership application that was submitted to the UN Security Council in late September.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 23:19:40 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Israel braces for general strike, as labor union, treasury negotiations falter
Israel braces for general strike, as labor union, treasury negotiations falter
Israel's Histadrut labor federation and treasury officials on Sunday were expected to resume negotiations aimed at averting a general strike that would effectively paralyze the country.
Histadrut chief Ofer Eini has threatened to declare a nationwide strike, to go into effect on 6 a.m. Monday, over the ongoing exploitation of so-called contract workers, the most underprivileged among Israel's laborers. Eini is demanding that the government significantly reduce their number and bolster their wages and social benefits.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called on the Histadrut to backtrack on its plans. "I believe that a solution can be found and that there's no reason to disrupt the lives of Israeli citizens and hit the economy ... my government and the Histadrut see eye to eye regarding the worker's well-being and their wage," Netanyahu said at the opening of his cabinet's weekly session.
Citing the turmoil currently sweeping European markets, Netanyahu said a strike would endanger the Israeli economy's continued growth, which was attained through "a responsible fiscal policy and hard work."
On Friday, Eini and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz met in Tel Aviv to discuss their differences. Negotiations, which resumed Saturday evening, ultimately failed to yield results.
In a further bid to pressure Steinitz to agree to its terms, the labor union plans to announce later Sunday a list of organizations and services that would be joining the strike, if one is ordered. They are expected to include Ben-Gurion International Airport, sea ports, government ministries, municipal services, courts, universities and state-run day care centers, among others. Public hospitals, which only recently were struck by a mass resignation of disgruntled medical interns, will operate on holiday and weekend footing.
Some 400,000 Israelis in both the public and private sectors are employed via labor contractors, many of whom pay minimum wage and disregard state labor laws that dictate mandatory social benefits. The hardest-hit are mostly security guards and cleaners, but university graduates -- include teachers, nurses, bank clerks, psychologists and engineers, are also among the disenfranchised.
Eini, whose predecessors have shut Israel down on more than one occasion in the past, has demanded that 12,000 workers, employed in government bodies through exterior agencies, receive formal recognition as civil servants, with a salary and terms to match.
Treasury chief Steinitz, while offering to improve the wages of the contract workers and bolster enforcement of their rights, has called Eini's demands "outrageous," warning that accepting them would constitute an "economic disaster."
The Federation of Israeli Economic Organizations, which represents private employers, estimated that the proposed strike would cost the national economy some 330 million shekels (90 million U.S. dollars) a day. On Friday, it turned to the National Labor Court, asking for the issuing of an injunction against the strike.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 22:00:09 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Israel's Histadrut labor federation and treasury officials on Sunday were expected to resume negotiations aimed at averting a general strike that would effectively paralyze the country.
Histadrut chief Ofer Eini has threatened to declare a nationwide strike, to go into effect on 6 a.m. Monday, over the ongoing exploitation of so-called contract workers, the most underprivileged among Israel's laborers. Eini is demanding that the government significantly reduce their number and bolster their wages and social benefits.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called on the Histadrut to backtrack on its plans. "I believe that a solution can be found and that there's no reason to disrupt the lives of Israeli citizens and hit the economy ... my government and the Histadrut see eye to eye regarding the worker's well-being and their wage," Netanyahu said at the opening of his cabinet's weekly session.
Citing the turmoil currently sweeping European markets, Netanyahu said a strike would endanger the Israeli economy's continued growth, which was attained through "a responsible fiscal policy and hard work."
On Friday, Eini and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz met in Tel Aviv to discuss their differences. Negotiations, which resumed Saturday evening, ultimately failed to yield results.
In a further bid to pressure Steinitz to agree to its terms, the labor union plans to announce later Sunday a list of organizations and services that would be joining the strike, if one is ordered. They are expected to include Ben-Gurion International Airport, sea ports, government ministries, municipal services, courts, universities and state-run day care centers, among others. Public hospitals, which only recently were struck by a mass resignation of disgruntled medical interns, will operate on holiday and weekend footing.
Some 400,000 Israelis in both the public and private sectors are employed via labor contractors, many of whom pay minimum wage and disregard state labor laws that dictate mandatory social benefits. The hardest-hit are mostly security guards and cleaners, but university graduates -- include teachers, nurses, bank clerks, psychologists and engineers, are also among the disenfranchised.
Eini, whose predecessors have shut Israel down on more than one occasion in the past, has demanded that 12,000 workers, employed in government bodies through exterior agencies, receive formal recognition as civil servants, with a salary and terms to match.
Treasury chief Steinitz, while offering to improve the wages of the contract workers and bolster enforcement of their rights, has called Eini's demands "outrageous," warning that accepting them would constitute an "economic disaster."
The Federation of Israeli Economic Organizations, which represents private employers, estimated that the proposed strike would cost the national economy some 330 million shekels (90 million U.S. dollars) a day. On Friday, it turned to the National Labor Court, asking for the issuing of an injunction against the strike.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 22:00:09 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Kuwait denies U.S. military boost within border after Iraq withdrawal
Kuwait denies U.S. military boost within border after Iraq withdrawal
Kuwaiti defense minister said Sunday the United States would not beef up military presence in Kuwait as Pentagon picked up pace to withdraw troops from Iraq.
Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah denied reports that an unspecified number of U.S. troops would be shifted to Kuwait after concluding their missions in Iraq.
U.S. officials said Wednesday the Obama administration was weighing a plan to relocate around 4,000 soldiers from Iraq to Kuwait by the end of the year in what it said a move to prevent military vacuum after soldiers pull out.
Sheikh Jaber was quoted as saying by the official KUNA news agency that there was no plan to expand the U.S. forces in the country as the number of U.S. military personnel was fixed in agreements between the two countries.
Kuwait would be only a crossover for the U.S. troops to pull out from Iraq and return home, Sheikh Jaber added.
He also said that Kuwait would not allow its territory to be used for attacking any country in the region, hinting at a possible U.S. military attack on Iran.
Kuwait, a close ally of the United States, houses Camp Arifjian in the south of the country which serves as a logistic base for the U.S. military missions in Iraq.
The United States already maintains around 23,000 soldiers in the oil-rich Gulf emirate.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 20:34:52 FeedbackPrintRSS
KUWAIT CITY, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Kuwaiti defense minister said Sunday the United States would not beef up military presence in Kuwait as Pentagon picked up pace to withdraw troops from Iraq.
Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah denied reports that an unspecified number of U.S. troops would be shifted to Kuwait after concluding their missions in Iraq.
U.S. officials said Wednesday the Obama administration was weighing a plan to relocate around 4,000 soldiers from Iraq to Kuwait by the end of the year in what it said a move to prevent military vacuum after soldiers pull out.
Sheikh Jaber was quoted as saying by the official KUNA news agency that there was no plan to expand the U.S. forces in the country as the number of U.S. military personnel was fixed in agreements between the two countries.
Kuwait would be only a crossover for the U.S. troops to pull out from Iraq and return home, Sheikh Jaber added.
He also said that Kuwait would not allow its territory to be used for attacking any country in the region, hinting at a possible U.S. military attack on Iran.
Kuwait, a close ally of the United States, houses Camp Arifjian in the south of the country which serves as a logistic base for the U.S. military missions in Iraq.
The United States already maintains around 23,000 soldiers in the oil-rich Gulf emirate.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 20:34:52 FeedbackPrintRSS
KUWAIT CITY, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Iran, India cooperation can help regional peace, stability: Iranian president
Iran, India cooperation can help regional peace, stability: Iranian president
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that cooperation between Iran and India on regional issues can help peace and stability in the region, the local Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.
Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Indian Parliament Speaker Meira Kumar in Tehran on Saturday.
The Iranian president emphasized the need to increase bilateral scientific and technological cooperation between Iran and India and welcomed the participation of Indian companies in road construction and energy projects in Iran, said the report.
For her part, Kumar said India is keen to expand relations with Iran.
She also said that collaboration between Iran and India can enhance stability and increase the security of the region.
She praised Iran's economic achievements despite the international sanctions, according to Mehr.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 19:55:50 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that cooperation between Iran and India on regional issues can help peace and stability in the region, the local Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.
Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Indian Parliament Speaker Meira Kumar in Tehran on Saturday.
The Iranian president emphasized the need to increase bilateral scientific and technological cooperation between Iran and India and welcomed the participation of Indian companies in road construction and energy projects in Iran, said the report.
For her part, Kumar said India is keen to expand relations with Iran.
She also said that collaboration between Iran and India can enhance stability and increase the security of the region.
She praised Iran's economic achievements despite the international sanctions, according to Mehr.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 19:55:50 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Civilian killed, 29 wounded in Baghdad explosions
Civilian killed, 29 wounded in Baghdad explosions
A civilian was killed and 29 others wounded in coordinated explosions of four bombs at a marketplace in downtown Baghdad on Sunday, an Interior Ministry source said.
"The latest reports said that a civilian was killed and 15 wounded by the blasts on Shorjah commercial area," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Four bombs planted in different parts of the crowded wholesale market of al-Arabi in Baghdad's Shorjah area detonated after midday in a quick succession, the source said.
The blasts destroyed several shops and stalls, and set fire to parts of the market, including a commercial building, while a thick column of black smoke rose above the area, the source added.
Iraqi security forces sealed off the scene as ambulances and civilian cars were evacuating the victims to the city hospitals while fire engines were rushing to the area, the source said.
The blasts came as Sunni Muslims are marking the four-day annual festival of al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, while the Shiite community is to observe the festival on Monday.
Violence in Iraq has ebbed from its climax in 2006 and 2007 when sectarian conflicts pushed the country to the brink of civil war, but daily shootings and bombings still occur across the country.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 19:28:00
A civilian was killed and 29 others wounded in coordinated explosions of four bombs at a marketplace in downtown Baghdad on Sunday, an Interior Ministry source said.
"The latest reports said that a civilian was killed and 15 wounded by the blasts on Shorjah commercial area," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Four bombs planted in different parts of the crowded wholesale market of al-Arabi in Baghdad's Shorjah area detonated after midday in a quick succession, the source said.
The blasts destroyed several shops and stalls, and set fire to parts of the market, including a commercial building, while a thick column of black smoke rose above the area, the source added.
Iraqi security forces sealed off the scene as ambulances and civilian cars were evacuating the victims to the city hospitals while fire engines were rushing to the area, the source said.
The blasts came as Sunni Muslims are marking the four-day annual festival of al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, while the Shiite community is to observe the festival on Monday.
Violence in Iraq has ebbed from its climax in 2006 and 2007 when sectarian conflicts pushed the country to the brink of civil war, but daily shootings and bombings still occur across the country.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 19:28:00
Israeli airstrike on southern Gaza kills one, wounds 2: Medics
Israeli airstrike on southern Gaza kills one, wounds 2: Medics
A Palestinian was killed and two wounded on Saturday night when an Israeli Apache helicopter fired two missiles at an area east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis, medics said.
Eyewitnesses said that the Apache helicopter fired two missiles at a group of militants who were trying to launch homemade projectiles from southern Gaza Strip at southern Israel.
Security officials in Gaza said that the Israeli helicopter's missiles targeted a group of militants, who were members of Saraya al-Quds, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement east of Khan Younis.
Medics at Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in southern Gaza Strip said that one Palestinian was killed and two wounded, one of whom being in crucial conditions, adding that local ambulances brought the three to the hospital.
Earlier on Saturday afternoon, a Palestinian was shot and moderately injured by Israeli soldiers' gunfire near the borderline between southeast Gaza Strip and Israel, where a homemade rocket fired from Gaza landed in southern Israel.
The Gaza Strip witnessed a fresh wave of violence between the enclave's militants and Israeli army two weeks ago, where at least 12 Palestinians and one Israeli were killed.
An undeclared ceasefire was reached between the two sides, following Egypt's mediation. However, the ceasefire was violated several times when militants fired several homemade rockets from Gaza at southern Israel.
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 03:46:36
A Palestinian was killed and two wounded on Saturday night when an Israeli Apache helicopter fired two missiles at an area east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis, medics said.
Eyewitnesses said that the Apache helicopter fired two missiles at a group of militants who were trying to launch homemade projectiles from southern Gaza Strip at southern Israel.
Security officials in Gaza said that the Israeli helicopter's missiles targeted a group of militants, who were members of Saraya al-Quds, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement east of Khan Younis.
Medics at Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in southern Gaza Strip said that one Palestinian was killed and two wounded, one of whom being in crucial conditions, adding that local ambulances brought the three to the hospital.
Earlier on Saturday afternoon, a Palestinian was shot and moderately injured by Israeli soldiers' gunfire near the borderline between southeast Gaza Strip and Israel, where a homemade rocket fired from Gaza landed in southern Israel.
The Gaza Strip witnessed a fresh wave of violence between the enclave's militants and Israeli army two weeks ago, where at least 12 Palestinians and one Israeli were killed.
An undeclared ceasefire was reached between the two sides, following Egypt's mediation. However, the ceasefire was violated several times when militants fired several homemade rockets from Gaza at southern Israel.
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 03:46:36
Yemen's Saleh says to support power transfer, urges opposition to resume dialogue
Yemen's Saleh says to support power transfer, urges opposition to resume dialogue
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Saturday said he will continue to support efforts of power transfer and leave office in accordance with a Gulf-brokered initiative, urging his opponents to resume dialogue to achieve the deal.
"I reaffirm my determination to continue to support the constructive efforts of Deputy President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in the light of a mandate I gave him to resume the dialogue with the opposition and to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative and its executive mechanism for achieving legitimate, democratic and peaceful power transition," Saleh said in a speech to the nation on the occasion of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha.
"I urge the opposition parties to renounce violence and extremism and I call on their leaders to come back to sit with us at the dialogue table to complete discussing the remaining parts of controversial issues, in order to reach an agreement and set a time-agreed executive mechanism as soon as possible to implement the GCC initiative and its proposal of holding an early election to elect a new president for Yemen," Saleh said in his address which was reported by the state-run Saba news agency.
The GCC initiative, which was brokered in April, stipulated Saleh to quit in 30 days and hand over power to Hadi, who would then form an opposition-led national government and arrange presidential elections in 60 days. Saleh has backed out of signing the deal three times in the last minute.
The impoverished Arab country has been rattled by almost daily protests since late January to call for an end to Saleh's 33-year rule.
In the speech, Saleh also warned that "his resignation from office and the transfer of power will not be carried out if the opposition rebels and their supporters of the defected army continue to wage violence against government institutions and state troops."
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 03:09:32 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Saturday said he will continue to support efforts of power transfer and leave office in accordance with a Gulf-brokered initiative, urging his opponents to resume dialogue to achieve the deal.
"I reaffirm my determination to continue to support the constructive efforts of Deputy President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in the light of a mandate I gave him to resume the dialogue with the opposition and to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative and its executive mechanism for achieving legitimate, democratic and peaceful power transition," Saleh said in a speech to the nation on the occasion of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha.
"I urge the opposition parties to renounce violence and extremism and I call on their leaders to come back to sit with us at the dialogue table to complete discussing the remaining parts of controversial issues, in order to reach an agreement and set a time-agreed executive mechanism as soon as possible to implement the GCC initiative and its proposal of holding an early election to elect a new president for Yemen," Saleh said in his address which was reported by the state-run Saba news agency.
The GCC initiative, which was brokered in April, stipulated Saleh to quit in 30 days and hand over power to Hadi, who would then form an opposition-led national government and arrange presidential elections in 60 days. Saleh has backed out of signing the deal three times in the last minute.
The impoverished Arab country has been rattled by almost daily protests since late January to call for an end to Saleh's 33-year rule.
In the speech, Saleh also warned that "his resignation from office and the transfer of power will not be carried out if the opposition rebels and their supporters of the defected army continue to wage violence against government institutions and state troops."
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 03:09:32 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Iran's natural gas reserves to last up to 100 years: official
Iran's natural gas reserves to last up to 100 years: official
The research and technological director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said that Iran 's natural gas reserves will last up to 100 years, the English language Tehran Times daily reported on Saturday.
Mohammad-Ali Emadi said according to Iran's fifth five-year development plan (2010-2015), Iran's gas production capacity should increase by 250 million cubic meters per day.
The South Pars/North Dome field is a natural gas condensate field located in the Persian Gulf. It is the world's largest gas field, shared between Iran and Qatar. According to the International Energy Agency, the field holds an estimated 50.97 trillion cubic meters of in-situ gas and some 50 billion barrels of condensate.
According to the Tehran Times report, Iran's share of the field has 14 trillion cubic meters of natural gas and more than 18 billion barrels of liquefied natural gas (LNG) resources.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 03:09:10 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
The research and technological director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said that Iran 's natural gas reserves will last up to 100 years, the English language Tehran Times daily reported on Saturday.
Mohammad-Ali Emadi said according to Iran's fifth five-year development plan (2010-2015), Iran's gas production capacity should increase by 250 million cubic meters per day.
The South Pars/North Dome field is a natural gas condensate field located in the Persian Gulf. It is the world's largest gas field, shared between Iran and Qatar. According to the International Energy Agency, the field holds an estimated 50.97 trillion cubic meters of in-situ gas and some 50 billion barrels of condensate.
According to the Tehran Times report, Iran's share of the field has 14 trillion cubic meters of natural gas and more than 18 billion barrels of liquefied natural gas (LNG) resources.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 03:09:10 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Violence in Syria raises more concerns: AL chief
Violence in Syria raises more concerns: AL chief
Arab League (AL) Secretary General Nabil Arabi expressed worries and concerns regarding acts of violence in Syria despite Syrian government's approval on the Arab Plan of action to solve the crises, official news agency MENA said Saturday.
In a statement, Arabi urged Syrian government to stick to the Arab plan to protect Syrian civilians and pave the road for dialogue.
According to the plan, all violent acts should be halted and all detainees should be released.
With a tangible progress from the Syrian side, an Arab ministerial committee can make necessary consultations and communications with Syrian government to prepare for a national dialogue conference within two weeks.
Arabi warned all the concerned parties that failing to respond to the Arab solution for the Syrian crises will cause catastrophic results in both Syria and the entire region, adding that "the AL is working to maintain security and stability in Syria and to avoid foreign interference."
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 02:32:00 FeedbackPrintRSS
CAIRO, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Arab League (AL) Secretary General Nabil Arabi expressed worries and concerns regarding acts of violence in Syria despite Syrian government's approval on the Arab Plan of action to solve the crises, official news agency MENA said Saturday.
In a statement, Arabi urged Syrian government to stick to the Arab plan to protect Syrian civilians and pave the road for dialogue.
According to the plan, all violent acts should be halted and all detainees should be released.
With a tangible progress from the Syrian side, an Arab ministerial committee can make necessary consultations and communications with Syrian government to prepare for a national dialogue conference within two weeks.
Arabi warned all the concerned parties that failing to respond to the Arab solution for the Syrian crises will cause catastrophic results in both Syria and the entire region, adding that "the AL is working to maintain security and stability in Syria and to avoid foreign interference."
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 02:32:00 FeedbackPrintRSS
CAIRO, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Police seize large amount of hashish in Turkey
Police seize large amount of hashish in Turkey
The Turkish police on Saturday seized a large amount of hashish in several provinces in Turkey, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
The police stopped a truck at a checkpoint on the Bitlis- Diyarbakir road and found 43.7 kg of hashish stashed in the vehicle in the eastern province of Bitlis, said the report, adding that the driver of the truck was arrested.
Meanwhile, acting on a tip-off, the Turkish police searched two cars and found 51 kg of hashish in the vehicles in Yeni Mahalle district in Turkey's central province of Konya, according to the report.
Four people were detained in the operation, said the report.
In another operation, the police stopped a car on Tarsus-Adana- Gaziantep highway, and seized 24 kg of hashish stashed in the vehicle.
In other operations in the districts of Kiremithane, Sakirbaba, Daglioglu and Ulubatli Hasan in Adana Province, Turkish police seized 60 kg of hashish, said the report, adding that 11 others were detained.
Turkey is a key transit route for drug smuggling from Asia and the Middle East to Europe.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 01:04:30 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
The Turkish police on Saturday seized a large amount of hashish in several provinces in Turkey, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
The police stopped a truck at a checkpoint on the Bitlis- Diyarbakir road and found 43.7 kg of hashish stashed in the vehicle in the eastern province of Bitlis, said the report, adding that the driver of the truck was arrested.
Meanwhile, acting on a tip-off, the Turkish police searched two cars and found 51 kg of hashish in the vehicles in Yeni Mahalle district in Turkey's central province of Konya, according to the report.
Four people were detained in the operation, said the report.
In another operation, the police stopped a car on Tarsus-Adana- Gaziantep highway, and seized 24 kg of hashish stashed in the vehicle.
In other operations in the districts of Kiremithane, Sakirbaba, Daglioglu and Ulubatli Hasan in Adana Province, Turkish police seized 60 kg of hashish, said the report, adding that 11 others were detained.
Turkey is a key transit route for drug smuggling from Asia and the Middle East to Europe.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 01:04:30 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Iran says IAEA's documents on its missile program "baseless": FM
Iran says IAEA's documents on its missile program "baseless": FM
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Saturday the documents of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on its missile program are "unfounded and baseless," the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
"The alleged documents claimed by the IAEA are baseless," Salehi said during a joint press conference with his visiting Burundian counterpart in Tehran, referring to reports that the IAEA will release some documents about Iran's missile program in the future.
The United Nations nuclear supervision agency is expected to release a report on Iran's nuclear program next week, which is likely to hint at Iran's engagement in nuclear weapons work despite UN sanctions.
Yukiya Amano, the IAEA Director General, had said at the UN General Assembly that while its too early to make conclusions just yet, the report may possibly exacerbate Middle East tensions.
He urged Iran to cooperate with the IAEA to prove that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 01:04:11 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Saturday the documents of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on its missile program are "unfounded and baseless," the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
"The alleged documents claimed by the IAEA are baseless," Salehi said during a joint press conference with his visiting Burundian counterpart in Tehran, referring to reports that the IAEA will release some documents about Iran's missile program in the future.
The United Nations nuclear supervision agency is expected to release a report on Iran's nuclear program next week, which is likely to hint at Iran's engagement in nuclear weapons work despite UN sanctions.
Yukiya Amano, the IAEA Director General, had said at the UN General Assembly that while its too early to make conclusions just yet, the report may possibly exacerbate Middle East tensions.
He urged Iran to cooperate with the IAEA to prove that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 01:04:11 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Saudi king names new defense minister
Saudi king names new defense minister
Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud appointed Prince Salman, the governor of Riyadh province, as the kingdom's new defense and aviation minister, following the death of former Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the state television reported Saturday.
The defense and aviation portfolio is regarded as one of the most important positions in the world's largest oil exporter.
Prince Salman, a half brother of the Saudi king, was born in 1935 and served as the governor of Riyadh since 1962. According to the TV report, Prince Sutam bin Abdul Aziz was named the Riyadh governor to succeed Prince Salman.
Crown Prince Sultan, who had been the deputy premier, minister of defense and aviation and the inspector general, passed away at dawn on Oct. 22 in an U.S. hospital after suffering from an illness.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 00:24:07
Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud appointed Prince Salman, the governor of Riyadh province, as the kingdom's new defense and aviation minister, following the death of former Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the state television reported Saturday.
The defense and aviation portfolio is regarded as one of the most important positions in the world's largest oil exporter.
Prince Salman, a half brother of the Saudi king, was born in 1935 and served as the governor of Riyadh since 1962. According to the TV report, Prince Sutam bin Abdul Aziz was named the Riyadh governor to succeed Prince Salman.
Crown Prince Sultan, who had been the deputy premier, minister of defense and aviation and the inspector general, passed away at dawn on Oct. 22 in an U.S. hospital after suffering from an illness.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 00:24:07
Syria releases 553 prisoners ahead of Muslim Eid al-Adha
Syria releases 553 prisoners ahead of Muslim Eid al-Adha
The Syrian government released Saturday a total of 553 prisoners arrested during the seven-month- long unrest on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, the state-run TV reported.
The released prisoners did not commit homicide crimes, the TV said, adding that another 119 detainees have been recently released.
Activists said that about 15,000 people have been detained during the unrest in Syria.
The release of those arrested during the unrest topped the demands of protesters and was part of a deal concluded lately between the Syrian government and the Arab League (AL) ministerial committee to bring the Syrian crisis to a close.
Still the government has not announced when the other prisoners will be set free.
The AL plan was endorsed on Nov. 2, calling for ending violence and withdrawing military vehicles from Syrian streets, in addition to releasing detainees and holding a dialogue between the Syrian authorities and the opposition.
Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the most important feasts on the Muslim calendar. Releasing prisoners during national holidays is common in Syria.
Since taking office in July 2000, Syrian President Bashar al- Assad has ordered to release hundreds of political detainees.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 22:47:51 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
The Syrian government released Saturday a total of 553 prisoners arrested during the seven-month- long unrest on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, the state-run TV reported.
The released prisoners did not commit homicide crimes, the TV said, adding that another 119 detainees have been recently released.
Activists said that about 15,000 people have been detained during the unrest in Syria.
The release of those arrested during the unrest topped the demands of protesters and was part of a deal concluded lately between the Syrian government and the Arab League (AL) ministerial committee to bring the Syrian crisis to a close.
Still the government has not announced when the other prisoners will be set free.
The AL plan was endorsed on Nov. 2, calling for ending violence and withdrawing military vehicles from Syrian streets, in addition to releasing detainees and holding a dialogue between the Syrian authorities and the opposition.
Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the most important feasts on the Muslim calendar. Releasing prisoners during national holidays is common in Syria.
Since taking office in July 2000, Syrian President Bashar al- Assad has ordered to release hundreds of political detainees.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 22:47:51 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
2 killed, 9 injured in Iraq's violence
2 killed, 9 injured in Iraq's violence
Two people were killed and nine others injured in separate bomb and gunfire attacks in central Iraq on Saturday, the police said.
A sticky bomb attached to a minibus carrying passengers detonated in Mudhafar Square in Baghdad's eastern district of Sadr City, killing one civilian and wounding four others, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
In a separate incident, three civilians were injured when a bomb went off inside a residential building in Baghdad's southwestern neighborhood of Eilam, the source said.
Also in Baghdad, two civilians were wounded when a sticky bomb attached to their car detonated in the northeastern district of Benoug, the source added.
In Salahudin province, gunmen broke into the house of a policeman in the city of Tuz-Khurmato, some 90 km east of the provincial capital city of Tikrit, and shot him dead before they fled the scene, a local police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Salahudin province, located in northern-central of Iraq, is a mainly Sunni province. Its capital city of Tikrit, some 170 km north of Baghdad, is the hometown of the country's former President Saddam Hussein.
In earlier reports, the police said that four people were killed and 11 wounded when gunmen blew up four bombs planted in the house of a leader of a local anti-Qaida group, known as Awakening Council, in Taji area, some 20 km north of Baghdad.
The group leader escaped the attack unharmed but his brother and wife were among the dead by the blasts that left the leader's house entirely collapsed and caused severe damage to nearby houses.
Violence has been down in Iraq since its peak in 2006 and 2007 when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings, but deadly bombings and shootings still occur on daily basis.
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 21:54:47 FeedbackPrintRSS
BAGHDAD, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Two people were killed and nine others injured in separate bomb and gunfire attacks in central Iraq on Saturday, the police said.
A sticky bomb attached to a minibus carrying passengers detonated in Mudhafar Square in Baghdad's eastern district of Sadr City, killing one civilian and wounding four others, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
In a separate incident, three civilians were injured when a bomb went off inside a residential building in Baghdad's southwestern neighborhood of Eilam, the source said.
Also in Baghdad, two civilians were wounded when a sticky bomb attached to their car detonated in the northeastern district of Benoug, the source added.
In Salahudin province, gunmen broke into the house of a policeman in the city of Tuz-Khurmato, some 90 km east of the provincial capital city of Tikrit, and shot him dead before they fled the scene, a local police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Salahudin province, located in northern-central of Iraq, is a mainly Sunni province. Its capital city of Tikrit, some 170 km north of Baghdad, is the hometown of the country's former President Saddam Hussein.
In earlier reports, the police said that four people were killed and 11 wounded when gunmen blew up four bombs planted in the house of a leader of a local anti-Qaida group, known as Awakening Council, in Taji area, some 20 km north of Baghdad.
The group leader escaped the attack unharmed but his brother and wife were among the dead by the blasts that left the leader's house entirely collapsed and caused severe damage to nearby houses.
Violence has been down in Iraq since its peak in 2006 and 2007 when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings, but deadly bombings and shootings still occur on daily basis.
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 21:54:47 FeedbackPrintRSS
BAGHDAD, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Syria lashes out at U.S. State Department
Syria lashes out at U.S. State Department
A Syrian foreign ministry source on Saturday slashed as "irresponsible" a statement made by the U.S. State Department advising Syrians not to surrender themselves after Damascus announced an amnesty for those who gave up their weapons.
With its statement the U.S. administration has proved once again its flagrant intervention in the Syrian affairs and revealed its policy that supports killing, as well as its funding of " terrorist groups," the source was quoted by the state news agency as saying.
The Syrian interior ministry on Friday called on those who carried, sold or distributed weapons but didn't commit homicides to turn themselves in within a week to receive amnesty.
In a statement carried by the state TV, the ministry pledged to release those who turned themselves in between Nov. 5 and 12, saying that "this will be considered as an amnesty to those who surrender themselves and hand over their weapons."
After the issue of the Syrian statement, the U.S. State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland told reporters that "I wouldn't advise anybody to turn themselves in to the (Syrian) authorities at the moment."
"This would be about the fourth amnesty that they've offered since I took this job about five months ago," she said, "So we'll see if it has any more traction than it's had."
The Syrian government "condemns this irresponsible statement that couldn't be interpreted but as aiming to foment sedition and support killing and terrorism practiced by armed groups against Syrian citizens," the foreign ministry source said.
The Syrian government urged the international community to confront those policies "that run against the rules of the international law and the UN Security Council resolutions pertaining to combating and funding terrorism," the source said.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 16:51:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
A Syrian foreign ministry source on Saturday slashed as "irresponsible" a statement made by the U.S. State Department advising Syrians not to surrender themselves after Damascus announced an amnesty for those who gave up their weapons.
With its statement the U.S. administration has proved once again its flagrant intervention in the Syrian affairs and revealed its policy that supports killing, as well as its funding of " terrorist groups," the source was quoted by the state news agency as saying.
The Syrian interior ministry on Friday called on those who carried, sold or distributed weapons but didn't commit homicides to turn themselves in within a week to receive amnesty.
In a statement carried by the state TV, the ministry pledged to release those who turned themselves in between Nov. 5 and 12, saying that "this will be considered as an amnesty to those who surrender themselves and hand over their weapons."
After the issue of the Syrian statement, the U.S. State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland told reporters that "I wouldn't advise anybody to turn themselves in to the (Syrian) authorities at the moment."
"This would be about the fourth amnesty that they've offered since I took this job about five months ago," she said, "So we'll see if it has any more traction than it's had."
The Syrian government "condemns this irresponsible statement that couldn't be interpreted but as aiming to foment sedition and support killing and terrorism practiced by armed groups against Syrian citizens," the foreign ministry source said.
The Syrian government urged the international community to confront those policies "that run against the rules of the international law and the UN Security Council resolutions pertaining to combating and funding terrorism," the source said.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 16:51:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
4 killed in bomb attack on anti-Qaida leader in north of Baghdad
4 killed in bomb attack on anti-Qaida leader in north of Baghdad
Four people were killed and 11 injured Saturday in a bomb attack on the house of an anti-Qaida group leader in north of Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said.
The attack took place in the early morning when gunmen planted four bombs in the house of a local leader of the Awakening Council group in the town of Taji, some 20 km north of Baghdad, killing four people and wounding 11 others, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The group leader escaped the attack unharmed as he was not at home when the attack occurred, while his brother and wife were among the dead, the source said.
The house collapsed completely after the powerful blasts, which also caused severe damages to nearby houses, the source said, adding that many of the victims were from the neighboring houses.
Iraqi security forces sealed off the scene and launched an investigation into the incident, he said.
The Awakening Council group, or Sahwa in Arabic, consists of armed groups, including some powerful anti-U.S. Sunni insurgent groups which fought al-Qaida militants in the Sunni Arab areas after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Violence is still common in the Iraqi cities despite the dramatic decrease since its peak in 2006 and 2007 when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings.
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 15:41:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
BAGHDAD, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
Four people were killed and 11 injured Saturday in a bomb attack on the house of an anti-Qaida group leader in north of Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said.
The attack took place in the early morning when gunmen planted four bombs in the house of a local leader of the Awakening Council group in the town of Taji, some 20 km north of Baghdad, killing four people and wounding 11 others, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The group leader escaped the attack unharmed as he was not at home when the attack occurred, while his brother and wife were among the dead, the source said.
The house collapsed completely after the powerful blasts, which also caused severe damages to nearby houses, the source said, adding that many of the victims were from the neighboring houses.
Iraqi security forces sealed off the scene and launched an investigation into the incident, he said.
The Awakening Council group, or Sahwa in Arabic, consists of armed groups, including some powerful anti-U.S. Sunni insurgent groups which fought al-Qaida militants in the Sunni Arab areas after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Violence is still common in the Iraqi cities despite the dramatic decrease since its peak in 2006 and 2007 when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings.
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 15:41:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
BAGHDAD, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)
NATO chief dismisses talk of intervention in Syria conflict
NATO chief dismisses talk of intervention in Syria conflict
The chief of NATO dismissed suggestions that the military alliance would intervene to stop the conflict in Syria at a press conference here Friday.
"I understand the question, but Libya and Syria are two very different things," said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in response to journalists' questions over why NATO does not intervene in Syria given its operation in Libya, which ended Monday.
"We said 'yes' to and undertook responsibility for the operation in Libya because firstly, there was a clear UN mandate to protect the civilian population against attack, secondly because we got active support from countries in the region," he added.
NATO received a United Nations mandate to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and protect its civilians as well as the backing from the Arab League, but has not received any such approval in Syria's case, Rasmussen explained.
"Neither of these conditions exist when it comes to Syria. But having said that, I would like to condemn in the strongest possible terms the Syrian security forces' behavior and their attacks on the civil population," he said.
Syria has witnessed massive anti-government protests across the country since mid-March and a subsequent crackdown by its armed forces.
Rasmussen went on to say that there is "only one way forward in Syria" and that was to respect the population's wishes on freedom and democracy.
He added that the case of Libya -- where erstwhile leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled by an opposition revolt along with NATO air strikes -- sends a "clear signal to the world's dictators."
Rasmussen, who previously served as Denmark's Prime Minister from 2001-2009, was in Denmark during his tour to meet leaders of NATO member countries.
Here he met Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt for the first time since she was elected to the post in mid-September. The two leaders discussed NATO's missions in Libya and Afghanistan and the up-coming NATO summit in Chicago, the United States, in May 2012.
Denmark has actively contributed to NATO missions in recent years, including sending six F-16 fighter jets and personnel to the Libya mission. It continues to contribute to the NATO military action in Afghanistan and to a NATO-led anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.
Yet Rasmussen believed NATO stands at an important juncture. It needs to modernize, but funding constraints owing to financial crisis in the European Union and globally continue to impact how it chooses and undertakes its operations.
He advocated "smarter defense" as a solution, where countries "join forces instead of trying to find purely national solutions" to their defense needs, he said.
Thorning-Schmidt, who hosted the press conference, agreed with Rasmussen's proposal. "That also interests us in Denmark, and is a good example of how we can strengthen our engagement with NATO," she said.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 00:02:44 FeedbackPrintRSS
COPENHAGEN, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
The chief of NATO dismissed suggestions that the military alliance would intervene to stop the conflict in Syria at a press conference here Friday.
"I understand the question, but Libya and Syria are two very different things," said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in response to journalists' questions over why NATO does not intervene in Syria given its operation in Libya, which ended Monday.
"We said 'yes' to and undertook responsibility for the operation in Libya because firstly, there was a clear UN mandate to protect the civilian population against attack, secondly because we got active support from countries in the region," he added.
NATO received a United Nations mandate to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and protect its civilians as well as the backing from the Arab League, but has not received any such approval in Syria's case, Rasmussen explained.
"Neither of these conditions exist when it comes to Syria. But having said that, I would like to condemn in the strongest possible terms the Syrian security forces' behavior and their attacks on the civil population," he said.
Syria has witnessed massive anti-government protests across the country since mid-March and a subsequent crackdown by its armed forces.
Rasmussen went on to say that there is "only one way forward in Syria" and that was to respect the population's wishes on freedom and democracy.
He added that the case of Libya -- where erstwhile leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled by an opposition revolt along with NATO air strikes -- sends a "clear signal to the world's dictators."
Rasmussen, who previously served as Denmark's Prime Minister from 2001-2009, was in Denmark during his tour to meet leaders of NATO member countries.
Here he met Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt for the first time since she was elected to the post in mid-September. The two leaders discussed NATO's missions in Libya and Afghanistan and the up-coming NATO summit in Chicago, the United States, in May 2012.
Denmark has actively contributed to NATO missions in recent years, including sending six F-16 fighter jets and personnel to the Libya mission. It continues to contribute to the NATO military action in Afghanistan and to a NATO-led anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.
Yet Rasmussen believed NATO stands at an important juncture. It needs to modernize, but funding constraints owing to financial crisis in the European Union and globally continue to impact how it chooses and undertakes its operations.
He advocated "smarter defense" as a solution, where countries "join forces instead of trying to find purely national solutions" to their defense needs, he said.
Thorning-Schmidt, who hosted the press conference, agreed with Rasmussen's proposal. "That also interests us in Denmark, and is a good example of how we can strengthen our engagement with NATO," she said.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 00:02:44 FeedbackPrintRSS
COPENHAGEN, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Four al-Qaida militants killed in south Yemen battle
Four al-Qaida militants killed in south Yemen battle
At least four al-Qaida militants, including an Iraqi national and a British, were killed by Yemeni government troops on Friday during gunbattle near Zinjibar, the capital city of the flashpoint southern province of Abyan, a provincial security official said.
"Four al-Qaida fighters, two Yemenis, an Iraqi national and a Briton, were killed by the army and security forces during five- hour battle that ended with withdrawal of the terrorist militants from large parts of Zinjibar," the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
"Other dozens of militants were wounded as large part of the group's fighters withdrew to hideouts in the nearby city of Jaar in Abyan," he added.
The government has intensified crackdown on the terrorist groups since May after al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) captured Zinjibar and at least three other towns in Abyan and the neighboring restive province of Shabwa.
Zinjibar was reseized by the government troops in September, according to the defense ministry, but sporadic clashes repeatedly took place in Zinjibar as the terrorist group still occupied part of the city.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 06:10:34 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
At least four al-Qaida militants, including an Iraqi national and a British, were killed by Yemeni government troops on Friday during gunbattle near Zinjibar, the capital city of the flashpoint southern province of Abyan, a provincial security official said.
"Four al-Qaida fighters, two Yemenis, an Iraqi national and a Briton, were killed by the army and security forces during five- hour battle that ended with withdrawal of the terrorist militants from large parts of Zinjibar," the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
"Other dozens of militants were wounded as large part of the group's fighters withdrew to hideouts in the nearby city of Jaar in Abyan," he added.
The government has intensified crackdown on the terrorist groups since May after al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) captured Zinjibar and at least three other towns in Abyan and the neighboring restive province of Shabwa.
Zinjibar was reseized by the government troops in September, according to the defense ministry, but sporadic clashes repeatedly took place in Zinjibar as the terrorist group still occupied part of the city.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 06:10:34 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Israel's threats endanger Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' life: official
Israel's threats endanger Abbas' life: official
A senior Palestinian official addressed a letter on Friday to the international community saying that the recent Israeli threats to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "would endanger his life."
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in a letter addressed to members of the UN Security Council and all countries in the world that the Palestinians reject the Israeli campaign of incitement against President Abbas."
"This policy of incitement and the aggressive assault of the Israeli government and its Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman would endanger President Abbas' life and undermine the peace process," said Erekat.
Although the International Quartet Committee for peace in the Middle East have been urging the two sides to resume the peace talks, the Palestinians still insist that there will be no resumption of talks until Israel halts settlement construction.
Erekat called on the international community to protect the Palestinian people and exert a pressure on Israel to stop all settlement activities, mainly in east Jerusalem."
"The Jewish settlement building has become the Israeli tool to undermine the peace process and the principle of the two states in accordance to the borders of 1967," said Erekat.
Two weeks ago, Liberman had said that if Abbas wants to resign, he can and Israel won't feel sorry for him because he is an obstacle to peace and he is not the man of peace who acts against Israel.
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 01:49:53 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 14 (Xinhua)
A senior Palestinian official addressed a letter on Friday to the international community saying that the recent Israeli threats to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "would endanger his life."
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in a letter addressed to members of the UN Security Council and all countries in the world that the Palestinians reject the Israeli campaign of incitement against President Abbas."
"This policy of incitement and the aggressive assault of the Israeli government and its Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman would endanger President Abbas' life and undermine the peace process," said Erekat.
Although the International Quartet Committee for peace in the Middle East have been urging the two sides to resume the peace talks, the Palestinians still insist that there will be no resumption of talks until Israel halts settlement construction.
Erekat called on the international community to protect the Palestinian people and exert a pressure on Israel to stop all settlement activities, mainly in east Jerusalem."
"The Jewish settlement building has become the Israeli tool to undermine the peace process and the principle of the two states in accordance to the borders of 1967," said Erekat.
Two weeks ago, Liberman had said that if Abbas wants to resign, he can and Israel won't feel sorry for him because he is an obstacle to peace and he is not the man of peace who acts against Israel.
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 01:49:53 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 14 (Xinhua)
Yemen's ruling party urges opposition leaders abroad to return for power-transfer dialogue
Yemen's ruling party urges opposition leaders abroad to return for power-transfer dialogue
Yemen's ruling party on Friday urged the opposition leaders, who have been touring Arab countries for two weeks to seek support, to return home for resuming power- transfer dialogue.
"Today we call on leaders of the opposition coalition Joint Meeting Parties' (JMP) to return to Sanaa to resume the dialogue of power transfer based on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2014, " the ruling party General People's Congress (GPC) said in a statement posted on its website.
The European Union ambassador to Yemen Michele Cervone d'Urso told the Yemeni state Saba news agency on Tuesday that Ali Abdullah Saleh has made a positive step to hand power to his deputy Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
"We hope that Eidal-Adha (Muslim holiday) will be an occasion to announce that Yemen has moved towards a new stage," d'Urso said, adding that "an agreement will be reached soon with the opposition. "
An official of the GPC said Saleh "finally agreed to move ahead in signing the GCC initiative to hand power to Hadi."
"But Saleh stipulates that he remains in office as honorary president until new president is elected, which is to be held in weeks after he signs the deal," the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The GCC initiative, which was brokered in April, stipulated Saleh to quit in 30 days and hand over power to Hadi, who would then form an opposition-led national government and arrange presidential elections in 60 days. Saleh has backed out of signing the deal three times in the last minute.
The impoverished Arab country has been rattled by almost daily protest since late January to call for an end to the 33-year rule of Saleh.
Pro-and-anti government rallies by thousands of demonstrators continued on Friday in the capital Sanaa, Taiz and some other major provinces to repeat their demands for-and-against Saleh.
In response, spokeswoman of the opposition National Council, Houria Mash'hour, described Saleh's move as "a good progress."
"The JMP's leaders are now committed to the appointments with leaders of some Gulf countries and they will come back to Sanaa simultaneously with the return of the UN envoy to Yemen Jamal bin Omar, who is coordinating the power-transfer deal between the opposition and Saleh's ruling party," she told Xinhua.
"We have learned that bin Omar will arrive in Sanaa on Nov. 11 to follow up the implementation of the UN resolution," Mash'hour added.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 01:04:47 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Yemen's ruling party on Friday urged the opposition leaders, who have been touring Arab countries for two weeks to seek support, to return home for resuming power- transfer dialogue.
"Today we call on leaders of the opposition coalition Joint Meeting Parties' (JMP) to return to Sanaa to resume the dialogue of power transfer based on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2014, " the ruling party General People's Congress (GPC) said in a statement posted on its website.
The European Union ambassador to Yemen Michele Cervone d'Urso told the Yemeni state Saba news agency on Tuesday that Ali Abdullah Saleh has made a positive step to hand power to his deputy Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
"We hope that Eidal-Adha (Muslim holiday) will be an occasion to announce that Yemen has moved towards a new stage," d'Urso said, adding that "an agreement will be reached soon with the opposition. "
An official of the GPC said Saleh "finally agreed to move ahead in signing the GCC initiative to hand power to Hadi."
"But Saleh stipulates that he remains in office as honorary president until new president is elected, which is to be held in weeks after he signs the deal," the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The GCC initiative, which was brokered in April, stipulated Saleh to quit in 30 days and hand over power to Hadi, who would then form an opposition-led national government and arrange presidential elections in 60 days. Saleh has backed out of signing the deal three times in the last minute.
The impoverished Arab country has been rattled by almost daily protest since late January to call for an end to the 33-year rule of Saleh.
Pro-and-anti government rallies by thousands of demonstrators continued on Friday in the capital Sanaa, Taiz and some other major provinces to repeat their demands for-and-against Saleh.
In response, spokeswoman of the opposition National Council, Houria Mash'hour, described Saleh's move as "a good progress."
"The JMP's leaders are now committed to the appointments with leaders of some Gulf countries and they will come back to Sanaa simultaneously with the return of the UN envoy to Yemen Jamal bin Omar, who is coordinating the power-transfer deal between the opposition and Saleh's ruling party," she told Xinhua.
"We have learned that bin Omar will arrive in Sanaa on Nov. 11 to follow up the implementation of the UN resolution," Mash'hour added.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 01:04:47 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Seizing humanitarian aid ships to Gaza piracy of state: organization
Seizing humanitarian aid ships to Gaza piracy of state: organization
The Palestinians on Friday condemned the Israeli navy of seizing two Irish and Canadian humanitarian aid ships sailing to the Gaza Strip, which had been under Israeli blockade for five years.
The Gaza-based Palestinian non-government organizations (PNGO) said in a press statement emailed to reporters that seizing the two ships "is a piracy of a state and part of the Israeli occupation crimes against our people."
The international committee to defy the Israeli blockade announced on Thursday that two Irish and Canadian vessels, carrying humanitarian aids and international activists decided to sail to the Gaza Strip to defy the blockade.
Just 45 miles before reaching the Gaza Strip seaport, the Israeli naval forces stopped the two ships, and forced them to sail to the Israeli harbor of Ashdod to search the two ships and questions the activists.
"PNGO expresses its deep concerns over the safety of 27 international activists holding different nationalities, including a student from Haifa," said the statement.
Israel had been imposing a blockade on the Gaza Strip since June 2006 after Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was kidnapped, and it was tightened after Islamic Hamas movement seized control of the coastal enclave in June 2007.
However, it relaxed the blockade after the Israeli naval forces attacked on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31 last year, during which nine Turkish activists were killed and dozens wounded.
After Shalit was released last month for the release of 477 male and female prisoners, the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were hoping that Israel would end the sea and ground blockade which had weaken the enclave's economy.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 01:04:35 FeedbackPrintRSS
GAZA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua)
The Palestinians on Friday condemned the Israeli navy of seizing two Irish and Canadian humanitarian aid ships sailing to the Gaza Strip, which had been under Israeli blockade for five years.
The Gaza-based Palestinian non-government organizations (PNGO) said in a press statement emailed to reporters that seizing the two ships "is a piracy of a state and part of the Israeli occupation crimes against our people."
The international committee to defy the Israeli blockade announced on Thursday that two Irish and Canadian vessels, carrying humanitarian aids and international activists decided to sail to the Gaza Strip to defy the blockade.
Just 45 miles before reaching the Gaza Strip seaport, the Israeli naval forces stopped the two ships, and forced them to sail to the Israeli harbor of Ashdod to search the two ships and questions the activists.
"PNGO expresses its deep concerns over the safety of 27 international activists holding different nationalities, including a student from Haifa," said the statement.
Israel had been imposing a blockade on the Gaza Strip since June 2006 after Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was kidnapped, and it was tightened after Islamic Hamas movement seized control of the coastal enclave in June 2007.
However, it relaxed the blockade after the Israeli naval forces attacked on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31 last year, during which nine Turkish activists were killed and dozens wounded.
After Shalit was released last month for the release of 477 male and female prisoners, the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were hoping that Israel would end the sea and ground blockade which had weaken the enclave's economy.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-05 01:04:35 FeedbackPrintRSS
GAZA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua)
Israel Navy intercepts Gaza-bound aid vessels
Israel Navy intercepts Gaza-bound aid vessels
Israel Navy soldiers boarded the two vessels which were en-route to the Gaza Strip, leading them to southern Israel's Ashdod port, the Israeli military said in a statement on Friday.
"The boarding was carried out in line with directives from the Israeli government and after all attempts to prevent the vessels from reaching the Gaza Strip were made, but to no avail," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.
After the boats failed to heed calls to turn around or dock in Egypt or Israel, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz ordered naval forces to board the ships. Nobody was injured during the boarding of the ships, a military source said.
The boats were carrying aid supplies and 27 international pro- Palestinian activists.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 22:54:51 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Israel Navy soldiers boarded the two vessels which were en-route to the Gaza Strip, leading them to southern Israel's Ashdod port, the Israeli military said in a statement on Friday.
"The boarding was carried out in line with directives from the Israeli government and after all attempts to prevent the vessels from reaching the Gaza Strip were made, but to no avail," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.
After the boats failed to heed calls to turn around or dock in Egypt or Israel, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz ordered naval forces to board the ships. Nobody was injured during the boarding of the ships, a military source said.
The boats were carrying aid supplies and 27 international pro- Palestinian activists.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 22:54:51 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Turkey to begin manufacturing national helicopter within next 5 years
Turkey to begin manufacturing national helicopter within next 5 years
Turkey plans to begin manufacturing its own national military helicopter within the next five years, Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz said Friday.
Yilmaz submitted his ministry's budget for 2012 to the parliamentary planning and budget commission, saying that Turkey aims to meet domestic demand as well as that of other countries in the region with the new helicopter manufacturing plans, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.
Yilmaz was quoted as saying that Turkey would also begin to design and develop warplanes and training aircraft, adding that Turkey would also design air defense systems and begin production within next five years.
The size of the world helicopter market is currently estimated at 20 billion U.S. dollars and the volume of Turkey's defense industry is about 2.7 billion dollars . It is estimated that Turkey's defense industry exports will multiply several fold with the domestic production of military helicopters.
The total worth of various defense projects Turkey is currently undertaking is about 10 billion dollars and some 7 billion dollars of this is allocated to the military's helicopter project. In the latest purchase of this kind, Turkey bought 109 helicopters from the U.S.-based Sikorsky company for 3.5 billion dollars.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 22:54:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Turkey plans to begin manufacturing its own national military helicopter within the next five years, Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz said Friday.
Yilmaz submitted his ministry's budget for 2012 to the parliamentary planning and budget commission, saying that Turkey aims to meet domestic demand as well as that of other countries in the region with the new helicopter manufacturing plans, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.
Yilmaz was quoted as saying that Turkey would also begin to design and develop warplanes and training aircraft, adding that Turkey would also design air defense systems and begin production within next five years.
The size of the world helicopter market is currently estimated at 20 billion U.S. dollars and the volume of Turkey's defense industry is about 2.7 billion dollars . It is estimated that Turkey's defense industry exports will multiply several fold with the domestic production of military helicopters.
The total worth of various defense projects Turkey is currently undertaking is about 10 billion dollars and some 7 billion dollars of this is allocated to the military's helicopter project. In the latest purchase of this kind, Turkey bought 109 helicopters from the U.S.-based Sikorsky company for 3.5 billion dollars.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 22:54:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Israeli navy take over boats to Gaza
Israeli navy take over boats to Gaza
Israel Navy soldiers boarded the two vessels which were en-route to the Gaza Strip, leading them to southern Israel's Ashdod port, the Israeli military said in a statement on Friday.
"The boarding was carried out in line with directives from the Israeli government and after all attempts to prevent the vessels from reaching the Gaza Strip were made, but to no avail," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 22:44:31 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Israel Navy soldiers boarded the two vessels which were en-route to the Gaza Strip, leading them to southern Israel's Ashdod port, the Israeli military said in a statement on Friday.
"The boarding was carried out in line with directives from the Israeli government and after all attempts to prevent the vessels from reaching the Gaza Strip were made, but to no avail," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
Editor: yan
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 22:44:31 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Israel Navy contacts Gaza-bound aid vessels
Israel Navy contacts Gaza-bound aid vessels
The Israel Navy has made initial radio contact with the vessels Tahrir and Saoirse, which are sailing toward the Gaza Strip, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said in an announcement Friday.
The Israel Navy notified the vessels that the area they were en- route to, off the coast of Gaza, was under a maritime security blockade in accordance with the international law, and advised the vessels that they could turn back at any point, thereby not breaking the maritime security blockade, the announcement said.
In addition, Israel Navy soldiers presented the activists on board with the legal options of transferring supplies to the Gaza via the existing land crossings and after coordinating with the relevant Israeli authorities.
The activists on board refused to heed the navy's call and refused to act in accordance with the instructions they were given. The flotilla is now heading toward the area under closure.
The activists set sail from Turkey Wednesday aboard the Tahrir and Saoirse ships carrying medical supplies. The Israeli military had said it would not permit them to breach its blockade.
According to flotilla organizers, Israel Navy ships are about 11 kilometers from their vessels, Israel Radio reported. The organizers instructed the activists not to resist IDF forces should they be stopped.
An IDF spokesperson said earlier that the "Israel Navy is prepared to stop vessels attempting to break the maritime security blockade on Gaza."
The United States warned Thursday that the new effort by pro- Palestinian activists to send the flotilla to challenge Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip was dangerous and urged U.S. citizens not to take part.
In May 2010, nine Turkish activists, including one with dual U. S.-Turkish nationality, were killed in an Israeli raid on a similar convoy, which nearly ruptured the ties between Turkey and Israel.
Editor: Fang Yang
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 21:08:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
The Israel Navy has made initial radio contact with the vessels Tahrir and Saoirse, which are sailing toward the Gaza Strip, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said in an announcement Friday.
The Israel Navy notified the vessels that the area they were en- route to, off the coast of Gaza, was under a maritime security blockade in accordance with the international law, and advised the vessels that they could turn back at any point, thereby not breaking the maritime security blockade, the announcement said.
In addition, Israel Navy soldiers presented the activists on board with the legal options of transferring supplies to the Gaza via the existing land crossings and after coordinating with the relevant Israeli authorities.
The activists on board refused to heed the navy's call and refused to act in accordance with the instructions they were given. The flotilla is now heading toward the area under closure.
The activists set sail from Turkey Wednesday aboard the Tahrir and Saoirse ships carrying medical supplies. The Israeli military had said it would not permit them to breach its blockade.
According to flotilla organizers, Israel Navy ships are about 11 kilometers from their vessels, Israel Radio reported. The organizers instructed the activists not to resist IDF forces should they be stopped.
An IDF spokesperson said earlier that the "Israel Navy is prepared to stop vessels attempting to break the maritime security blockade on Gaza."
The United States warned Thursday that the new effort by pro- Palestinian activists to send the flotilla to challenge Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip was dangerous and urged U.S. citizens not to take part.
In May 2010, nine Turkish activists, including one with dual U. S.-Turkish nationality, were killed in an Israeli raid on a similar convoy, which nearly ruptured the ties between Turkey and Israel.
Editor: Fang Yang
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 21:08:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Syria pledges to pardon gunmen who surrender themselves
Syria pledges to pardon gunmen who surrender themselves
The Syrian interior ministry Friday called on those who carried, sold or distributed weapons but didn't committed homicides to turn themselves in within a week to receive amnesty, the state TV reported.
The interior ministry pledge to release those who turn themselves in during a period between November 5 and 12.
In a statement carried by the state TV, the ministry said "this will be considered as an amnesty to those who surrender themselves and hand over their weapons."
The statement came as fresh protests broke out in several Syrian cities to test the government commitment after pledging to withdraw its forces from protest centers under a peace plan initiated by the Arab League to end months of bloodshed.
Syria says weapons have been smuggled into the country via neighboring countries and reached the hands of those groups.
Syria has overtly charged that some countries are behind the unrest in the country and even fund what it called armed terrorist groups it blames for killing hundreds of policemen and military personnel across the country since the start of violence in mid March.
Editor: Fang Yang
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 20:57:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
The Syrian interior ministry Friday called on those who carried, sold or distributed weapons but didn't committed homicides to turn themselves in within a week to receive amnesty, the state TV reported.
The interior ministry pledge to release those who turn themselves in during a period between November 5 and 12.
In a statement carried by the state TV, the ministry said "this will be considered as an amnesty to those who surrender themselves and hand over their weapons."
The statement came as fresh protests broke out in several Syrian cities to test the government commitment after pledging to withdraw its forces from protest centers under a peace plan initiated by the Arab League to end months of bloodshed.
Syria says weapons have been smuggled into the country via neighboring countries and reached the hands of those groups.
Syria has overtly charged that some countries are behind the unrest in the country and even fund what it called armed terrorist groups it blames for killing hundreds of policemen and military personnel across the country since the start of violence in mid March.
Editor: Fang Yang
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 20:57:15 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Fresh protests in Syria after government accepts peace plan
Fresh protests in Syria after government accepts peace plan
Anti-government protests were renewed across Syria on Friday against President Bahsar al-Assad after he pledged to withdraw forces under a peace plan initiated by the Arab League (AL) to end months of bloodshed.
Shaky armature videos were aired by the pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV showing people holding protests in several Syrian cities and calling for the downfall of the leadership.
Opposition activists in and outside Syria said the sincerity of the regime will be tested by the weekend rallies.
Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said seven people were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse protesters on Friday.
However, Syria's state TV denied any killings on Friday, saying "those satellite TV channels are still carrying on with their campaign of incitement."
According to private Sham-FM radio station, armed groups opened fire at law-enforcement members in central Hama province, wounding five, including two in critical condition.
The report said protests emerged from three mosques in northern Idlib province. It said about 30 people tried to stage a rally in northern Aleppo province but they were dispersed by worshipers coming out of mosques there.
In eastern Deir al-Zour province, explosive experts dismantled two explosive devices with each weighing two kilograms.
Friday's protests came a day after 18 people were reportedly killed in central Homs that had been witnessing a flare-up of violence since Tuesday.
Online footage showed large-scale protests in Homs, Syria's third-largest city that has spearheaded anti-government rallies against the Assad regime.
A peace plan for ending the months-long Syrian political crisis was reached Wednesday between the Syrian government and the AL.
The plan calls for stopping violence and withdrawing military vehicles from streets, in addition to releasing detainees and holding a dialogue between the Syrian authorities and the opposition.
The Syrian opposition abroad showed no appetite in embarking on a dialogue with the Syrian regime and questioned its intention, accusing the regime of "trying to buy time," and calling for large- scale protests on Friday to challenge the regime pledge.
An official of the U.S. State Department said on Thursday that Washington has seen no evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad intends to end the prolonged violence in the country despite the recently reached Arab League accord.
"We obviously thank the Arab League. We welcome its efforts to stop the Assad regime's brutal assault. But we have not seen any evidence that the Assad regime intends to live up to the commitments that it's made," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland in a regular briefing.
Syria said that some countries are behind the unrest in the country and it even fund the alleged armed terrorist groups that it blamed for killing hundreds of policemen and military personnel across the country since the start of violence in mid March.
Syria also said weapons had been smuggled into the country and reached the hands of those groups via neighboring countries.
Editor: Fang Yang
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 20:43:38 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Anti-government protests were renewed across Syria on Friday against President Bahsar al-Assad after he pledged to withdraw forces under a peace plan initiated by the Arab League (AL) to end months of bloodshed.
Shaky armature videos were aired by the pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV showing people holding protests in several Syrian cities and calling for the downfall of the leadership.
Opposition activists in and outside Syria said the sincerity of the regime will be tested by the weekend rallies.
Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said seven people were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse protesters on Friday.
However, Syria's state TV denied any killings on Friday, saying "those satellite TV channels are still carrying on with their campaign of incitement."
According to private Sham-FM radio station, armed groups opened fire at law-enforcement members in central Hama province, wounding five, including two in critical condition.
The report said protests emerged from three mosques in northern Idlib province. It said about 30 people tried to stage a rally in northern Aleppo province but they were dispersed by worshipers coming out of mosques there.
In eastern Deir al-Zour province, explosive experts dismantled two explosive devices with each weighing two kilograms.
Friday's protests came a day after 18 people were reportedly killed in central Homs that had been witnessing a flare-up of violence since Tuesday.
Online footage showed large-scale protests in Homs, Syria's third-largest city that has spearheaded anti-government rallies against the Assad regime.
A peace plan for ending the months-long Syrian political crisis was reached Wednesday between the Syrian government and the AL.
The plan calls for stopping violence and withdrawing military vehicles from streets, in addition to releasing detainees and holding a dialogue between the Syrian authorities and the opposition.
The Syrian opposition abroad showed no appetite in embarking on a dialogue with the Syrian regime and questioned its intention, accusing the regime of "trying to buy time," and calling for large- scale protests on Friday to challenge the regime pledge.
An official of the U.S. State Department said on Thursday that Washington has seen no evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad intends to end the prolonged violence in the country despite the recently reached Arab League accord.
"We obviously thank the Arab League. We welcome its efforts to stop the Assad regime's brutal assault. But we have not seen any evidence that the Assad regime intends to live up to the commitments that it's made," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland in a regular briefing.
Syria said that some countries are behind the unrest in the country and it even fund the alleged armed terrorist groups that it blamed for killing hundreds of policemen and military personnel across the country since the start of violence in mid March.
Syria also said weapons had been smuggled into the country and reached the hands of those groups via neighboring countries.
Editor: Fang Yang
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 20:43:38 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Cyprus, Israel to cooperate on joint offshore gas exploitation
Cyprus, Israel to cooperate on joint offshore gas exploitation
Cyprus and Israel have expressed readiness to cooperate on a joint project to tap huge offshore gas deposits that may change the European energy map.
Israeli President Shimon Peres, who wrapped up a two-day official visit to Cyprus on Friday, said Cyprus and Israel have substantial economic cooperation potential with the discovery of natural gas in the Mediterranean.
"We can cooperate in generating this newfound energy, and use it for the benefit of the entire region," Peres said.
Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said that the project is expected to open the way to new sectors of cooperation between the eastern Mediterranean neighbors.
Israel gas deposits in two offshore fields are reported to total over 24 trillion cubic feet. An official of Noble Energy, a Texas-based company drilling for both Israel and Cyprus, has said large deposits are also expected to be confirmed in a neighboring Cypriot offshore field.
A possible joint project under discussion is the building of a 180-kilometer undersea pipe to bring the gas to the south shore of Cyprus, where a 10-billion euro facility to liquefy the gas is under consideration.
The European Union is reported to be keenly interested in the project, which will help it diversify its energy sources.
However, Turkish opposition to gas exploitation is a factor to be taken into consideration.
Both Christofias and Peres deplored threats by Turkey, which has sent navy ships and military aircraft to protect survey vessel charting the sea-bed close to where Noble Energy is drilling.
Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 in reaction to a Greek coup and occupied its northern part. It has invoked the rights of Turkish Cypriots to natural gas deposits to justify sea survey off the south Cyprus coast.
"Israel will not threaten anybody but at the same time it will not take threats from anybody," Peres said.
"The Middle East yearns for harmony and will not tolerate other states' attempt for hegemony," he added.
However, both presidents also sounded a conciliatory note by stating that their cooperation will not come at the expense of other countries.
"We can cooperate in generating this newfound energy, and use it for the benefit of the entire region. We will do this through cooperation with the states in the region, and according to all international laws," Peres said.
Relations between once allies Turkey and Israel took a turn for the worse after the incident of Mari Marmara ship in May, 2010, when Israeli marines intercepted the Gaza bound vessel and nine Turkish activists on the ship were killed in ensuing shooting.
Israel has just given a warning that it will also intercept another Turkish flotilla now under sail for Gaza.
Cyprus-Israel relations have traditionally been friendly but not especially warm as Cyprus had tried to keep a balance on the Palestinian issue.
But Cyprus-Israel relations grew notably after the Mavi Marmara incident and an agreement to delineate their respective offshore exclusive economic zones.
Cyprus' state run television quoted diplomatic sources as saying that still unannounced defence agreements between Cyprus and Israel signed recently provide for intelligence sharing and for Israeli aircraft to fly through Cypriot air space and make use of its land defence infrastructure.
Six Israeli helicopters exercising in the eastern Mediterranean recently made a refuelling stop in Cyprus.
Editor: Fang Yang
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 20:42:35 FeedbackPrintRSS
NICOSIA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Cyprus and Israel have expressed readiness to cooperate on a joint project to tap huge offshore gas deposits that may change the European energy map.
Israeli President Shimon Peres, who wrapped up a two-day official visit to Cyprus on Friday, said Cyprus and Israel have substantial economic cooperation potential with the discovery of natural gas in the Mediterranean.
"We can cooperate in generating this newfound energy, and use it for the benefit of the entire region," Peres said.
Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said that the project is expected to open the way to new sectors of cooperation between the eastern Mediterranean neighbors.
Israel gas deposits in two offshore fields are reported to total over 24 trillion cubic feet. An official of Noble Energy, a Texas-based company drilling for both Israel and Cyprus, has said large deposits are also expected to be confirmed in a neighboring Cypriot offshore field.
A possible joint project under discussion is the building of a 180-kilometer undersea pipe to bring the gas to the south shore of Cyprus, where a 10-billion euro facility to liquefy the gas is under consideration.
The European Union is reported to be keenly interested in the project, which will help it diversify its energy sources.
However, Turkish opposition to gas exploitation is a factor to be taken into consideration.
Both Christofias and Peres deplored threats by Turkey, which has sent navy ships and military aircraft to protect survey vessel charting the sea-bed close to where Noble Energy is drilling.
Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 in reaction to a Greek coup and occupied its northern part. It has invoked the rights of Turkish Cypriots to natural gas deposits to justify sea survey off the south Cyprus coast.
"Israel will not threaten anybody but at the same time it will not take threats from anybody," Peres said.
"The Middle East yearns for harmony and will not tolerate other states' attempt for hegemony," he added.
However, both presidents also sounded a conciliatory note by stating that their cooperation will not come at the expense of other countries.
"We can cooperate in generating this newfound energy, and use it for the benefit of the entire region. We will do this through cooperation with the states in the region, and according to all international laws," Peres said.
Relations between once allies Turkey and Israel took a turn for the worse after the incident of Mari Marmara ship in May, 2010, when Israeli marines intercepted the Gaza bound vessel and nine Turkish activists on the ship were killed in ensuing shooting.
Israel has just given a warning that it will also intercept another Turkish flotilla now under sail for Gaza.
Cyprus-Israel relations have traditionally been friendly but not especially warm as Cyprus had tried to keep a balance on the Palestinian issue.
But Cyprus-Israel relations grew notably after the Mavi Marmara incident and an agreement to delineate their respective offshore exclusive economic zones.
Cyprus' state run television quoted diplomatic sources as saying that still unannounced defence agreements between Cyprus and Israel signed recently provide for intelligence sharing and for Israeli aircraft to fly through Cypriot air space and make use of its land defence infrastructure.
Six Israeli helicopters exercising in the eastern Mediterranean recently made a refuelling stop in Cyprus.
Editor: Fang Yang
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 20:42:35 FeedbackPrintRSS
NICOSIA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua)
Iran marks anniversary of U.S. embassy seizure
Iran marks anniversary of U.S. embassy seizure
Iranians on Friday marked the anniversary of the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran by Iranian students 32 years ago.
Demonstrators gathered in front of the former U.S. embassy in Tehran, now referred to as the "Den of Espionage," carrying flags and banners and chanting slogans against the United States and Israel. They also vowed to follow the path of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini.
The demonstrators condemned the Western-imposed sanctions against Iran, saying that they still consider the United States as the country's main enemy.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said at the ceremony on Friday that "the U.S. dream to return to Iran will never come true," referring to the recent remarks of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the United States was planning to launch a "virtual embassy" for Iran by the end of this year to assist Iranians with online access to information about U. S. visa and facilitation of study procedures in the United States.
The United States has been disappointed at its failed actual presence in Iran, so it is resorting to unreal and virtual engagement with Iran's domestic affairs, Jalili said.
He said that Iran has certain advantage over the United States in several areas despite the U.S. superiority in terms of technology.
Jalili, who is also the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said that Iran possesses documents which could prove that the "United States is linked with the terrorists" who have done terror acts against the Islamic Republic.
With those documents Iran will sue the United State in the international courts, he said.
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that "we have one hundred undeniable documents (which prove) that the U.S. government is behind terrorist attacks in Iran and the region."
Khamenei said that Tehran will reveal those documents to " disgrace the U.S. government."
On Friday, Jalili slammed the U.S. attempts to disgrace Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Qods Force affiliated to IRGC, saying that the United States would not succeed in making scenario against the IRGC and the Qods Force and its commander Major General Qassem Soleimani.
The tension between Tehran and Washington was escalated recently after the United States accused last month the Islamic Republic of being involved in terror plots in the U.S..
The United States said that a U.S. citizen holding both Iranian and U.S. passports and a member of the Qods Force were charged with sponsoring and promoting terrorist activities abroad, including a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States.
The United States and its western allies cannot stop Iran's influence and emerging power in the region by targeting IRGC and the Qods Force, Jalili said.
Friday's gathering in front of the former U.S. embassy ended with the issue of a statement which called for resistance against the U.S. and Western policies against the Islamic Republic.
The statement also expressed support for the Occupy Wall Street movement in the United States and urged the United State to pull its forces completely out of Iraq.
The United States cut diplomatic relations with Iran on April 7, 1980, after a group of Iranian students seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran and captured some 60 U.S. diplomats in 1979. In the hostage crisis, 52 of the U.S. diplomats were held in captivity for 444 days.
Editor: Fang Yang
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 18:43:06
Iranians on Friday marked the anniversary of the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran by Iranian students 32 years ago.
Demonstrators gathered in front of the former U.S. embassy in Tehran, now referred to as the "Den of Espionage," carrying flags and banners and chanting slogans against the United States and Israel. They also vowed to follow the path of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini.
The demonstrators condemned the Western-imposed sanctions against Iran, saying that they still consider the United States as the country's main enemy.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said at the ceremony on Friday that "the U.S. dream to return to Iran will never come true," referring to the recent remarks of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the United States was planning to launch a "virtual embassy" for Iran by the end of this year to assist Iranians with online access to information about U. S. visa and facilitation of study procedures in the United States.
The United States has been disappointed at its failed actual presence in Iran, so it is resorting to unreal and virtual engagement with Iran's domestic affairs, Jalili said.
He said that Iran has certain advantage over the United States in several areas despite the U.S. superiority in terms of technology.
Jalili, who is also the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said that Iran possesses documents which could prove that the "United States is linked with the terrorists" who have done terror acts against the Islamic Republic.
With those documents Iran will sue the United State in the international courts, he said.
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that "we have one hundred undeniable documents (which prove) that the U.S. government is behind terrorist attacks in Iran and the region."
Khamenei said that Tehran will reveal those documents to " disgrace the U.S. government."
On Friday, Jalili slammed the U.S. attempts to disgrace Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Qods Force affiliated to IRGC, saying that the United States would not succeed in making scenario against the IRGC and the Qods Force and its commander Major General Qassem Soleimani.
The tension between Tehran and Washington was escalated recently after the United States accused last month the Islamic Republic of being involved in terror plots in the U.S..
The United States said that a U.S. citizen holding both Iranian and U.S. passports and a member of the Qods Force were charged with sponsoring and promoting terrorist activities abroad, including a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States.
The United States and its western allies cannot stop Iran's influence and emerging power in the region by targeting IRGC and the Qods Force, Jalili said.
Friday's gathering in front of the former U.S. embassy ended with the issue of a statement which called for resistance against the U.S. and Western policies against the Islamic Republic.
The statement also expressed support for the Occupy Wall Street movement in the United States and urged the United State to pull its forces completely out of Iraq.
The United States cut diplomatic relations with Iran on April 7, 1980, after a group of Iranian students seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran and captured some 60 U.S. diplomats in 1979. In the hostage crisis, 52 of the U.S. diplomats were held in captivity for 444 days.
Editor: Fang Yang
English.news.cn 2011-11-04 18:43:06
Pakistan denies U.S. magazine's nuclear report
Pakistan denies U.S. magazine's nuclear report
Pakistan rejected on Sunday a U.S. magazine's report that the country's nuclear weapons are " transported in delivery vans on congested and dangerous roads," saying the report is "baseless and motivated."
U.S. magazine The Atlantic reported in its latest edition that Pakistan has begun moving its nuclear weapons in low-security vans.
Responding to a question regarding to the report, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed it as pure fiction, baseless and motivated.
"It is part of a deliberate propaganda campaign meant to mislead opinion," the spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the U.S. magazine report, Pakistan wants to hide part of its growing arsenal from the United States which actually funds much of Pakistan's military budget.
After the raid on the city of Abbottabad which killed Osama bin Laden, Pakistan's military chiefs were aware that America's military has developed plans for an emergency nuclear-disablement operation in their country, the report said.
But instead of moving their deadly arsenal in well-defended armored convoys, Pakistan's Special Plans Division (SPD) prefers to move it around in civilian-style vehicles virtually without security, said the report.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the surfacing of such campaigns is not something new. "It is orchestrated by quarters that are inimical to Pakistan," she said, adding that no one should underestimate Pakistan's will and capability to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 14:46:30 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Pakistan rejected on Sunday a U.S. magazine's report that the country's nuclear weapons are " transported in delivery vans on congested and dangerous roads," saying the report is "baseless and motivated."
U.S. magazine The Atlantic reported in its latest edition that Pakistan has begun moving its nuclear weapons in low-security vans.
Responding to a question regarding to the report, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed it as pure fiction, baseless and motivated.
"It is part of a deliberate propaganda campaign meant to mislead opinion," the spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the U.S. magazine report, Pakistan wants to hide part of its growing arsenal from the United States which actually funds much of Pakistan's military budget.
After the raid on the city of Abbottabad which killed Osama bin Laden, Pakistan's military chiefs were aware that America's military has developed plans for an emergency nuclear-disablement operation in their country, the report said.
But instead of moving their deadly arsenal in well-defended armored convoys, Pakistan's Special Plans Division (SPD) prefers to move it around in civilian-style vehicles virtually without security, said the report.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the surfacing of such campaigns is not something new. "It is orchestrated by quarters that are inimical to Pakistan," she said, adding that no one should underestimate Pakistan's will and capability to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 14:46:30 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
No decision made on Gulf military presence: Pentagon
No decision made on Gulf military presence: Pentagon
The Pentagon said on Monday that no decisions have been made on how many U.S. troops will remain in the Persian Gulf region, responding to a report that the United States will bolster its military presence there after it withdraws the remaining troops from Iraq this year.
"We're still working through the decision process," said Navy Capt. John Kirby, deputy assistant secretary of defense for media operations. "There's been no final decision made on any additional force presence anywhere."
The New York Times reported on Sunday that the United States was considering deploying new combat forces in Kuwait in order to respond to a possible collapse of security in Iraq or a military confrontation with Iran.
"Whatever decisions are made about force posture moving forward will be based upon our security commitments we have made and will continue to honor in that region," Kirby said.
The remarks came as the U.S. military presence in the Gulf is getting increasingly debated after President Barack Obama's announcement on Oct. 21 to withdraw remaining U.S. soldiers from Iraq by the end of this year.
Obama's decision has stirred up worries among U.S. military and government officials, as well as several countries in the Gulf region, that the pullout could lead to instability.
"One thing's for sure, we're going to maintain a presence in the Gulf region," Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said on Monday. "We have enduring commitments in that part of the world, and those commitments remain a priority."
He stressed that formal plans have not been submitted to the president or Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
English.news.cn 2011-11-01 02:39:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
The Pentagon said on Monday that no decisions have been made on how many U.S. troops will remain in the Persian Gulf region, responding to a report that the United States will bolster its military presence there after it withdraws the remaining troops from Iraq this year.
"We're still working through the decision process," said Navy Capt. John Kirby, deputy assistant secretary of defense for media operations. "There's been no final decision made on any additional force presence anywhere."
The New York Times reported on Sunday that the United States was considering deploying new combat forces in Kuwait in order to respond to a possible collapse of security in Iraq or a military confrontation with Iran.
"Whatever decisions are made about force posture moving forward will be based upon our security commitments we have made and will continue to honor in that region," Kirby said.
The remarks came as the U.S. military presence in the Gulf is getting increasingly debated after President Barack Obama's announcement on Oct. 21 to withdraw remaining U.S. soldiers from Iraq by the end of this year.
Obama's decision has stirred up worries among U.S. military and government officials, as well as several countries in the Gulf region, that the pullout could lead to instability.
"One thing's for sure, we're going to maintain a presence in the Gulf region," Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said on Monday. "We have enduring commitments in that part of the world, and those commitments remain a priority."
He stressed that formal plans have not been submitted to the president or Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
English.news.cn 2011-11-01 02:39:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
U.S. halts financial contributions to UNESCO over admission of Palestine
U.S. halts financial contributions to UNESCO over admission of Palestine
The U.S. government announced on Monday it has halted making financial contributions to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) after the latter admitted the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) as a full member.
"We were to have made a 60-million-dollar payment to UNESCO in November and we will not be making that payment," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said at the daily news briefing.
Nuland made the remarks in response to the vote at the 193- member UNESCO's general conference in Paris, France, which accepts the PNA as a full member. The PNA gained 107 votes for its membership bid to join the UNESCO, while 14 countries voted against and 52 others abstained, the UNESCO said after the vote.
UNESCO's move to admit the PNA as a full member was " regrettable, premature", said Nuland.
The move triggers U.S. Congress' restriction on funding to UN bodies which recognize PNA as a state before an Israeli- Palestinian peace deal is reached, she said. The U.S. provides 22 percent of the total financial contributions to the UNESCO.
Earlier Monday, White House spokesman Jay Carney also criticized the formal admission of the PNA by the UNESCO as " premature", adding that such move will undermine the Middle East peace process.
"Today's vote at UNESCO to admit the Palestinian (National) Authority as a member is premature and undermines the international community's shared goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East," Carney told reporters.
He added that the move "distracts us from our shared goal of direct negotiations that results in a secure Israel and an independent Palestine living side by side in peace and security."
Carney reiterated that U.S. will only support measures that bring the Palestinians and the Israelis closer to direct negotiations, which are the only way to resolve the differences between them.
The UNESCO is the first UN agency to accept the PNA as a full member since Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas applied for formal UN membership at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 23. The UN Security Council has decided to discuss the matter in November.
English.news.cn 2011-11-01 02:26:29 FeedbackPrintRSS
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
The U.S. government announced on Monday it has halted making financial contributions to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) after the latter admitted the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) as a full member.
"We were to have made a 60-million-dollar payment to UNESCO in November and we will not be making that payment," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said at the daily news briefing.
Nuland made the remarks in response to the vote at the 193- member UNESCO's general conference in Paris, France, which accepts the PNA as a full member. The PNA gained 107 votes for its membership bid to join the UNESCO, while 14 countries voted against and 52 others abstained, the UNESCO said after the vote.
UNESCO's move to admit the PNA as a full member was " regrettable, premature", said Nuland.
The move triggers U.S. Congress' restriction on funding to UN bodies which recognize PNA as a state before an Israeli- Palestinian peace deal is reached, she said. The U.S. provides 22 percent of the total financial contributions to the UNESCO.
Earlier Monday, White House spokesman Jay Carney also criticized the formal admission of the PNA by the UNESCO as " premature", adding that such move will undermine the Middle East peace process.
"Today's vote at UNESCO to admit the Palestinian (National) Authority as a member is premature and undermines the international community's shared goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East," Carney told reporters.
He added that the move "distracts us from our shared goal of direct negotiations that results in a secure Israel and an independent Palestine living side by side in peace and security."
Carney reiterated that U.S. will only support measures that bring the Palestinians and the Israelis closer to direct negotiations, which are the only way to resolve the differences between them.
The UNESCO is the first UN agency to accept the PNA as a full member since Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas applied for formal UN membership at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 23. The UN Security Council has decided to discuss the matter in November.
English.news.cn 2011-11-01 02:26:29 FeedbackPrintRSS
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)
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