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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 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 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.

Arab States Weekly Review 8th – 14th May 2010

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 18:34:09 +0000

Approximately 100 Iraqis, almost all civilians, were killed on May 10th during a series of bombings throughout Baghdad, Basra and Hilla. It was the highest death toll in one day this year.

The long-awaited ‘proximity’ talks between Israelis and Palestinians were resumed via American intermediary after an 18-month pause. Israeli PM Netanyahu was embarrassed by having to deny an earlier statement from the US State Department that Israel would halt settlement-building for 2 years.

Arab States Weekly Review 1st – 7th May 2010

admin — Sun, 09 May 2010 04:23:50 +0000

Indirect talks (under American mediation) between Israel and mainstream Palestinians were set to resume after the Arab League endorsed the conditions. USA’s Middle-East envoy George Mitchell went to the region to meet members of both sides.

Iraq’s incumbent prime minister Nuri Al-Maliki, whose State of Law Alliance ended second in the latest elections, made a deal with the third placed group (Iraqi National Alliance), a religiously oriented Shia group. Followers of Iyad Allawi, a secular Shia with strong Sunni support who ended first in the elections, would be outraged if he was to be excluded from a government.

Arab States Weekly Review 24th – 30th April 2010

admin — Sat, 01 May 2010 08:45:36 +0000

At least 58 Iraqis were killed during a series of bombings. Sunni jihadists are believed to be behind the attacks, in response to the killing of three Al-Qaeda affiliated leaders last week.

Arab States Weekly Review 17th – 23rd April 2010

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:31:25 +0000

Three leaders of Al-Qaeda affiliated Sunni extremist groups were killed in a joint US-Iraqi strike: Abu Ayyub al-Masri (believed to be head of Al-Qaeda in Iraq), Abu Omar Al-Baghdadi and Ahmed Al-Obeidi (believed to have organized attacks around Mosul).

Arab States Weekly Review 3rd – 9th April 2010

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:48:44 +0000

At least 100 Iraqis were killed by bombings in and around Baghdad. Al-Qaeda is believed to be behind the terror, in an effort to bring instability and sectarian strife to the post-election situation.