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Arab States Weekly Review 17th – 23rd July 2010

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:24:55 +0000

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.

Arab States Weekly Review 10th – 16th July 2010

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:16:11 +0000

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.

Arab States Weekly Review 3rd – 9th July 2010

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:03:12 +0000

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.

Arab States Weekly Review 26th June – 2nd July 2010

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:48:11 +0000

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.

Arab States Weekly Review 19th – 25th June 2010

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:56:32 +0000

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.

Arab States Weekly Review 12th – 18th June 2010

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:34:48 +0000

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.

Arab States Weekly Review 5th – 11th June 2010

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:35:05 +0000

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.

Arab States Weekly Review 29th May – 4th June 2010

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:31:35 +0000

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.

Arab States Weekly Review 22nd – 28th May 2010

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:26:30 +0000

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.

Arab States Weekly Review 15th – 21st May 2010

admin — Sat, 22 May 2010 12:40:58 +0000

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.