26 Jul 10
Avigdor Lieberman, foreign minister of Israel, stated that European governments should assist in making Gaza entirely independent. This would separate Gaza for good from the West Bank, and lighten Israel’s obligations towards its citizens. PM Benjamin Netanyahu disagreed, suggesting strains within his coalition.
Dubai-based airline Emirates announced an order of 30 Boeing 777 passenger jets, a deal worth $9.1 billion. The announcement comes just a month after the company placed a record $11.5 billion order for 32 Airbus A380 super-jumbos.
23 Jul 10
A group of gunmen suspected of ties to Al-Qaeda attacked to security buidlings in the southern province of Abyan, Yemen. It was the second such attack on offices of Yemen’s security service in the past few weeks.
An internal Israeli military investigation concluded that “mistakes were made…at a relatively senior level” during the raid of the ‘Gaza flotilla’ in late May.
Nakheel, a property developer owned by Dubai World, met with creditors in an attempt to renegotiate its $10.5 bn in bank debt. Dubai World caused a scare on the financial markets last November after announcing a freeze on debt repayments.
12 Jul 10
Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Fadlallah died aged 74 in Beirut, Lebanon. Fadlallah, a prominent Lebanese twelver Shia marja, was a spiritual mentor to Hezbollah and to Iraq’s ruling Dawa party. In his later years he urged tolerance among the region’s many sects.
At least 45 Iraqi Shia pilgrims were killed during a series of bombings in Baghdad. Most of them were on their way to a shrine.
05 Jul 10
Turkey closed its airspace to Israeli military flights, one month after the flotilla raid in Gaza which left 9 Turks dead. Nonetheless, there were secret talks between an Israeli envoy and the Turkish foreign minister in an attempt to restore ties between the former allies.
27 Jun 10
According to the World Gold Council, Saudi Arabia’s gold reserves were said to be more than twice as high as previously estimated. The Kingdom is thought to hold 323 tonnes of gold, accounting for only 2.8% of the Saudi central bank’s total reserves.
Iraq’s minister for electricity resigned after protests following a failing energy supply in certain areas. Many towns had energy for less than 3 hours per day, amid temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius.
The Baghdad headquarters of the Trader Bank of Iraq was attacked by insurgents thought to be linked to Al-Qaeda, killing at least 26 people. The assault followed the storming of the country’s central bank last week, leaving at least 18 dead.
23 Jun 10
Israel eased the blockade of the Gaza Strip following intense international pressure after the Gaza flotilla raid. Under UN supervision, building materials and an increased number of civilian goods will be permitted.
15 Jun 10
The Israeli navy shot and killed four members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade. The four men were in diving gear off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Al-Aqsa claimed they were on a training mission.
07 Jun 10
Israel faced a wave of international condemnation over its military assault on a humanitarian aid convoy from Turkey bound for Gaza. Israeli commandos boarded the ship to prevent it from reaching Gaza, and opened fire when some of those on board tried to repel them with sticks and, according to the Israelis, knives. Israel impounded the six ships and detained the 600 campaigners with the intent of deportation. Most governments denounced Israel’s actions, but the US was more hesitant and managed to convince the UN Security Council not to lay the blame exclusively on Israel.
Iraq’s Supreme Court ratified the results of Iraq’s general election, ruling that Iyad Allawi’s party had won. There are still no signs of a coalition government being formed soon.
Saudi Arabia began issuing wedding contracts in which the age of the bride must be given, in an effort to stop child marriages.
31 May 10
A Baghdad jewellery market was raided by 15 Iraqis suspected of links to Al-Qaeda. 15 people were killed and the gang made off with a stack of gold.
22 May 10
The electoral commission in Iraq upheld the results of the parliamentary elections in March after a partial recount. The recount was requested by Nuri Al-Maliki, whose coalition came second in the poll. The recount leaves intact the two-seat lead of Iyad Allawi over Al-Maliki, the incumbent prime minister.
Dubai World reached an agreement with its creditors to restructure $23.5 billion of debt. It emphasised that government support was no longer required. The state-owned conglomerate scared markets last November when it requested a six-month standstill on debt repayments.
