News

Turkey to present action plan to EU for opening of new chapter

Feb 18 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

Turkey has fulfilled the benchmarks for the opening of an EU membership negotiation chapter that is planned to be opened shortly and will present a draft action plan concerning this chapter to the EU Commission Feb. 19, EU Minister Egemen Bağış has said.

France announced Feb. 12 that it would assist Turkey in opening one of the five chapters once blocked byParis for Ankara’s long-stalled EU membership talks, Chapter 22, “Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments.”

House blocs hold last-minute meetings ahead of talks on gov’t

Feb 18 2013
Jordan
Source: 
The Jordan Times

On the eve of the kick-off of consultations between lawmakers and Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh to designate a prime minister, several House blocs held closed-door meetings to finalise their positions.

Some of these coalitions declared their stands on government formation as the country embarks on the parliamentary government experience as an ultimate goal of political reforms.

Reformists meet with Supreme Leader

Feb 18 2013
Iran
Source: 
Radio Zamaneh

Iranian media report that three reformist figures have visited Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.

The Etemad daily wrote on Monday: “Majid Ansari, a member of the Expediency Council, Abdolvahid Mousavi Lari, who was interior minister in Mohammad Khatami’s reformist government, and Eshagh Jahangiri, who was industry minister in the reformist government, are the three who appear to have gone as reformist representatives” to visit Ayatollah Khamenei.

Demands for federalism still strong in Benghazi despite celebrations

Feb 17 2013
Libya
Source: 
Libya Herald

Thousands of people converged on Freedom Square in downtown Benghazi to celebrate the second anniversary of the start of the uprising in the eastern city. The electric atmosphere of triumphant shouting, horn-honking, singing, music, dancing and fireworks, did not hide the visible disappointment and resentment of some who came to watch but stayed aloof from the crowd.

Sudan arrests prominent Islamic figure at airport upon return from trip abroad

Feb 15 2013
Sudan
Source: 
Sudan Tribune

Youssef al-Koda, who leads the Al-Wasat Islamic party, was arrested at Khartoum airport upon his return from a trip abroad where he officially joined the ranks of the opposition seeking to topple the government led by president Omer Hassan al-Bashir.

he family of al-Koda and opposition sources said that officers belonging to Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) boarded the plane and took him into custody before other passengers could even leave their seats.

Oumar Mariko entendu dans l’affaire des bérets rouges

Feb 12 2013
Mali
Source: 
Maliweb.com

Le Service de sécurité a procédé cet après-midi à l’interpellation du politicien Oumar Mariko afin de faire une mise au point sur son implication dans l’agissement des frondeurs de l’ex régiment para.

« C’est à la suite de preuves irréfutables réunies contre l’ancien leader estudiantin et président du Parti SADI qu’il a été convoqué en début de journée, mais il a tout simplement récusé cette invitation arguant qu’il n’a point besoin de répondre à aucune autorité du pays ».

Cabinet set to lock horns on creation of election body

Feb 11 2013
Lebanon
Source: 
the Daily Star

President Michel Sleiman and March 8 ministers are expected to face off during Wednesday’s Cabinet session over the creation of a campaign supervisory body, a step some ministers fear would lead to holding elections under the current 1960 law.

The supervisory committee for elections is the first of 66 items on the Cabinet’s agenda.

Ahmadinejad offers condition for U.S. talks

Feb 10 2013
Iran
Source: 
Radio Zamaneh

The Iranian president says if the U.S. “stops aiming a gun at the people of Iran”, he will personally begin talks with that country.

At a ceremony marking the 34th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution of 1979, Iranian media report that AMahmoud Ahmadinejad acknowledged the change in the statements coming from the U.S. and said there is a possibility that talks could be held in the light of “respect and justice.”

Il y croit ferme

Feb 09 2013
Tunisia
Source: 
La Presse

Le chef du gouvernement provisoire, Hamadi Jebali, a réitéré, hier, à Dar Dhiafa, à Carthage, sa décision de former un gouvernement de technocrates dont les membres n’appartiennent pas à des partis politiques.
Dans une déclaration aux médias, Hamadi Jebali s’est dit convaincu de son choix qui constitue, selon lui, la meilleure solution pour éviter à la Tunisie davantage de tension.

SPLM-N Arman says Islamic movements threaten African diversity

Feb 08 2013
Sudan
Source: 
Sudan Tribune

The secretary general of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N), Yasir Arman, has cautioned against Islamist movements saying they represent a threat to African diversity and called for the political situation in Sudan to be considered in this context.

In written remarks extended to Sudan Tribune Arman described Islamic political groups as "intolerant" emphasising that they ignore cultural and religious diversity, women’s rights, and democratic values.

Pages