Yemen's Saleh, opposition agree to sign power transfer deal
The Yemeni ruling party and opposition leaders said Monday the two sides agreed to sign a UN- mediated Gulf initiative on Tuesday to transfer power from President Ali Abdullah Saleh to his deputy, which will end the 10- month-long unrest.
"President Saleh finally agreed to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative after four-day negotiations mediated by visiting UN envoy Jamal bin Omar," Mohamed Salim Basindwa, chairman of the opposition National Council, told Xinhua.
"The compromise included reaching a mechanism deal to implement the GCC initiative. The two sides will sign the two deals on Tuesday, Nov. 22," he added.
According to Basindwa, "Saleh will retain his post until early elections are held, but the power will be moved to Hadi."
The progress was also confirmed by the ruling party's representative Sultan al-Barakani who said the mechanism deal and the GCC initiative "will be signed tomorrow (Tuesday)."
Meanwhile, Abdul Janadi, deputy information minister and government spokesman, told Xinhua that the GCC deal would be signed in the coming days, not Tuesday exactly.
The Yemeni parties have already agreed on the establishment of a mechanism to implement the GCC deal despite small differences, he said.
The GCC initiative stipulates Saleh to hand over power to his deputy Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and resign in 30 days in return for immunity from prosecution. Hadi would then form an opposition-led national government and arrange presidential elections in 60 days.
Saleh has backed out of signing the deal for three times in the last minutes.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 02:49:21 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Iran says sanctions is "lose-lose strategy": minister
Iran says sanctions is "lose-lose strategy": minister
Iran's Minister of Industry, Mine and Commerce Mehdi Ghazanfari said Monday that the West's sanctions on Iran has a two-way impact and is a lose-lose strategy where both sides will lose.
Responding to a reporter's question concerning the impact of potential U.S. sanctions against Iran, especially in energy sector, Ghazanfari said that this is a lose-lose strategy, that is, Iran will be under the sanction pressures, the outcome of sanctions will be costly for the country and money transfer will be harder.
Adopting sanctions will not be for the good of the West but will harm their interests too, Ghazanfari said.
If they do not invest in Iran's energy sector, they will lose Iran's energy industry market for at least 20 years, said the Iranian minister, adding that in the face of sanctions from Western countries Iran will think of other substitutes.
There are other ways for cooperation and investments, and there are several ways for Iran to connect to the world, he said, adding that local producers and investors can step in and undermine the impact of sanctions.
Media reports said that the U.S. Barack Obama administration will announce new sanctions against Iran's financial institutions and petrochemical industry on Monday.
New U.S. sanctions will be adopted in response to the Western concerns that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons. Iran has rejected the claims, insisting on the civilian nature of its nuclear program.
On Monday, Ghazanfari said that sanctions will further create distance between the sides and will not help settle the problems, adding that it is better to think of reasonable and logical ways to solve the issues.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 23:31:49 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Iran's Minister of Industry, Mine and Commerce Mehdi Ghazanfari said Monday that the West's sanctions on Iran has a two-way impact and is a lose-lose strategy where both sides will lose.
Responding to a reporter's question concerning the impact of potential U.S. sanctions against Iran, especially in energy sector, Ghazanfari said that this is a lose-lose strategy, that is, Iran will be under the sanction pressures, the outcome of sanctions will be costly for the country and money transfer will be harder.
Adopting sanctions will not be for the good of the West but will harm their interests too, Ghazanfari said.
If they do not invest in Iran's energy sector, they will lose Iran's energy industry market for at least 20 years, said the Iranian minister, adding that in the face of sanctions from Western countries Iran will think of other substitutes.
There are other ways for cooperation and investments, and there are several ways for Iran to connect to the world, he said, adding that local producers and investors can step in and undermine the impact of sanctions.
Media reports said that the U.S. Barack Obama administration will announce new sanctions against Iran's financial institutions and petrochemical industry on Monday.
New U.S. sanctions will be adopted in response to the Western concerns that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons. Iran has rejected the claims, insisting on the civilian nature of its nuclear program.
On Monday, Ghazanfari said that sanctions will further create distance between the sides and will not help settle the problems, adding that it is better to think of reasonable and logical ways to solve the issues.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 23:31:49 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Iraqi TV shows confessions of insurgents killed thousands of Iraqis
Iraqi TV shows confessions of insurgents killed thousands of Iraqis
The Iraqi official television on Monday showed confessions of 22 insurgents who admitted their role in the killing of more than 3,000 Iraqis during the peak of sectarian strife that engulfed the country after the U.S.-led invasion.
The suspects, who said to be linked to al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein's Baath party, are part of 200 insurgents captured by Iraqi security forces late in 2007, Major General Adel Daham, head of operations office in the Iraqi Interior Ministry, said during a televised news conference.
Daham said that the insurgents are accused of kidnapping and killing some 3,300 citizens, most of whom were recruits to Iraqi army and police, during the years from 2004 to November 2007 when they were nabbed by Iraqi security forces.
Dozens of the victims' family members attended the news conference which was repeatedly interrupted by crying women, men and children who demanded execution in revenge for their beloved victims, the state-run television of Iraqia showed.
The news conference came amid a row among Iraqi political parties over the roundup of hundreds of Baathists late in October sparking tension between the Sunni-backed political bloc of Iraqia, which condemned the operations and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government.
Sunnis see the arrests as part of attempts to further marginalize their minority group which had ruled the country under Saddam's Baath party.
Following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the country has witnessed chaos and sectarian strife between Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias. The infighting left hundreds of thousands of people killed by reprisal attacks.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 22:49:28 FeedbackPrintRSS
BAGHDAD, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
The Iraqi official television on Monday showed confessions of 22 insurgents who admitted their role in the killing of more than 3,000 Iraqis during the peak of sectarian strife that engulfed the country after the U.S.-led invasion.
The suspects, who said to be linked to al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein's Baath party, are part of 200 insurgents captured by Iraqi security forces late in 2007, Major General Adel Daham, head of operations office in the Iraqi Interior Ministry, said during a televised news conference.
Daham said that the insurgents are accused of kidnapping and killing some 3,300 citizens, most of whom were recruits to Iraqi army and police, during the years from 2004 to November 2007 when they were nabbed by Iraqi security forces.
Dozens of the victims' family members attended the news conference which was repeatedly interrupted by crying women, men and children who demanded execution in revenge for their beloved victims, the state-run television of Iraqia showed.
The news conference came amid a row among Iraqi political parties over the roundup of hundreds of Baathists late in October sparking tension between the Sunni-backed political bloc of Iraqia, which condemned the operations and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government.
Sunnis see the arrests as part of attempts to further marginalize their minority group which had ruled the country under Saddam's Baath party.
Following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the country has witnessed chaos and sectarian strife between Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias. The infighting left hundreds of thousands of people killed by reprisal attacks.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 22:49:28 FeedbackPrintRSS
BAGHDAD, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Turkish PM warns Assad his days are numbered
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday that his regime was destined to fall sooner or later.
"No matter how hard you try to hold on to power with your tanks and your weapons, a day will come and you will go," said Erdogan at an Istanbul meeting of chief Muslim clerics from African countries and communities.
"Because no worldly authority has ever lasted forever," he said.
He was referring to an interview with Assad published in the British newspaper Sunday Times, in which the embattled leader vowed to fight and die for Syria if faced with foreign intervention.
Erdogan said he had warned Assad numerous times to step down, " but he wouldn't listen."
"If you trust yourself, go to polls and let your people decide. If the polls lead you to power you may rule. But otherwise your office is only temporary," he said.
Erdogan also denounced the alleged use of military force " against those in Syria who demand a decent life."
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 22:43:00 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISTANBUL, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
"No matter how hard you try to hold on to power with your tanks and your weapons, a day will come and you will go," said Erdogan at an Istanbul meeting of chief Muslim clerics from African countries and communities.
"Because no worldly authority has ever lasted forever," he said.
He was referring to an interview with Assad published in the British newspaper Sunday Times, in which the embattled leader vowed to fight and die for Syria if faced with foreign intervention.
Erdogan said he had warned Assad numerous times to step down, " but he wouldn't listen."
"If you trust yourself, go to polls and let your people decide. If the polls lead you to power you may rule. But otherwise your office is only temporary," he said.
Erdogan also denounced the alleged use of military force " against those in Syria who demand a decent life."
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 22:43:00 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISTANBUL, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Jordanian King discusses Palestinian reconciliation with Abbas
Jordanian King discusses Palestinian reconciliation with Abbas
King Abdullah II of Jordan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday discussed efforts aimed at Palestinian unity and talked over the stalled Israeli- Palestinian peace talks during the king's short visit to the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Palestinian president called the visit at this particular time "a generous initiative" from King Abdullah, adding that the visit is partly related to his plans to reconcile with Islamic Hamas movement, the bitter rival of Abbas' Fatah party.
"King Abdullah will travel to Europe and America, and we will embark on Arab tours related to the reconciliation and other issues," Abbas said.
Israel, the United States and many European countries have said that they will not deal with a Palestinian government that doesn't recognize Israel.
As Abbas is expected to meet with Khaled Mashaal, head of Hamas, to discuss the formation of a unity government later this week, Fatah officials said the program must be acceptable to the international community to avoid boycott.
Meanwhile, Abbas reiterated that peace talks with Israel can resume only when Israel stops building settlements in its occupied Palestinian territories. The expiry of a construction freeze last year caused the negotiations to break down.
The Palestinians sought a unilateral declaration of independence through the United Nations in response to Israel's refusal to halt the settlement construction. But their membership bid failed to secure enough vote in the Security Council this month.
Following the discussions between Abbas and King Abdullah, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Jouda said creating an independent Palestinian state was "a Jordanian interest."
"The goal behind the King's visit is to emphasize the Jordanian position that it is necessary to establish the independent Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem," Jouda told reporters, responding to remarks by some Israeli ministers that Jordan can be an alternative home to the Palestinians.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 22:38:59 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
King Abdullah II of Jordan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday discussed efforts aimed at Palestinian unity and talked over the stalled Israeli- Palestinian peace talks during the king's short visit to the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Palestinian president called the visit at this particular time "a generous initiative" from King Abdullah, adding that the visit is partly related to his plans to reconcile with Islamic Hamas movement, the bitter rival of Abbas' Fatah party.
"King Abdullah will travel to Europe and America, and we will embark on Arab tours related to the reconciliation and other issues," Abbas said.
Israel, the United States and many European countries have said that they will not deal with a Palestinian government that doesn't recognize Israel.
As Abbas is expected to meet with Khaled Mashaal, head of Hamas, to discuss the formation of a unity government later this week, Fatah officials said the program must be acceptable to the international community to avoid boycott.
Meanwhile, Abbas reiterated that peace talks with Israel can resume only when Israel stops building settlements in its occupied Palestinian territories. The expiry of a construction freeze last year caused the negotiations to break down.
The Palestinians sought a unilateral declaration of independence through the United Nations in response to Israel's refusal to halt the settlement construction. But their membership bid failed to secure enough vote in the Security Council this month.
Following the discussions between Abbas and King Abdullah, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Jouda said creating an independent Palestinian state was "a Jordanian interest."
"The goal behind the King's visit is to emphasize the Jordanian position that it is necessary to establish the independent Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem," Jouda told reporters, responding to remarks by some Israeli ministers that Jordan can be an alternative home to the Palestinians.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 22:38:59 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Palestinian rivals talk about contradicting program for unity gov't
Palestinian rivals talk about contradicting program for unity gov't
Ahead of a meeting between leaders of Palestinian rivals, officials from Hamas and Fatah on Monday talked about different visions of a political program a unity government would follow.
For Hamas, the government "should have no ties with Israel and not recognize conditions of the Quartet," said Mahmoud Zahar, a leader of the Islamic movement which controls the Gaza Strip.
When Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2006, the Quartet, which comprises the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations, outlined three conditions to deal with its government: recognizing Israel, renouncing violence and accepting peace deals with Israel.
Zahar told Voice of Palestine Radio that "international stances regarding the Palestinian situation are different than the past."
In 2007, Hamas routed forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and set up its own administration in Gaza, leaving the Western-backed Palestinian National Authority confined to the West Bank.
This week, Abbas and Hamas' political chief Khaled Mashaal will meet in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, a few months after they signed an Egyptian deal for reconciliation, which envisions a government of technocrats to rule until elections.
For Fatah, the government's program must agree with that of Palestine Liberation Organization "to avoid putting the Palestinian people in new crisis," according to Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior Fatah official.
"We are not talking about a government on the moon," al-Sheikh added, in response to Zahar's comments.
But Zahar said that the United States failed in its campaign to isolate Hamas and the government it formed in 2006.
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 21:41:45 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Ahead of a meeting between leaders of Palestinian rivals, officials from Hamas and Fatah on Monday talked about different visions of a political program a unity government would follow.
For Hamas, the government "should have no ties with Israel and not recognize conditions of the Quartet," said Mahmoud Zahar, a leader of the Islamic movement which controls the Gaza Strip.
When Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2006, the Quartet, which comprises the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations, outlined three conditions to deal with its government: recognizing Israel, renouncing violence and accepting peace deals with Israel.
Zahar told Voice of Palestine Radio that "international stances regarding the Palestinian situation are different than the past."
In 2007, Hamas routed forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and set up its own administration in Gaza, leaving the Western-backed Palestinian National Authority confined to the West Bank.
This week, Abbas and Hamas' political chief Khaled Mashaal will meet in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, a few months after they signed an Egyptian deal for reconciliation, which envisions a government of technocrats to rule until elections.
For Fatah, the government's program must agree with that of Palestine Liberation Organization "to avoid putting the Palestinian people in new crisis," according to Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior Fatah official.
"We are not talking about a government on the moon," al-Sheikh added, in response to Zahar's comments.
But Zahar said that the United States failed in its campaign to isolate Hamas and the government it formed in 2006.
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 21:41:45 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Iran's judiciary denies arrest of president's media advisor
Iran's judiciary denies arrest of president's media advisor
Iranian Prosecutor General Gholam- Hossein Mohseni-Ejei denied the arrest of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's media adviser Ali-Akbar Javanfekr on Monday, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported.
Mohseni-Ejei told ISNA that "the arrest of Javanfekr is not true."
Earlier reports by local media, including ISNA, said that Javanfekr was arrested on Monday for disrespecting Islamic principles.
A Tehran court sentenced on Sunday Javanfekr to a one year jail
term and banned him from engaging in media activities for three years.
Javanfekr, who is also the caretaker manager of local Iran Daily and chief of official IRNA news agency, was convicted of publishing an article and pictures in Iran Daily's Aug. 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.
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 21:32:28 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Iranian Prosecutor General Gholam- Hossein Mohseni-Ejei denied the arrest of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's media adviser Ali-Akbar Javanfekr on Monday, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported.
Mohseni-Ejei told ISNA that "the arrest of Javanfekr is not true."
Earlier reports by local media, including ISNA, said that Javanfekr was arrested on Monday for disrespecting Islamic principles.
A Tehran court sentenced on Sunday Javanfekr to a one year jail
term and banned him from engaging in media activities for three years.
Javanfekr, who is also the caretaker manager of local Iran Daily and chief of official IRNA news agency, was convicted of publishing an article and pictures in Iran Daily's Aug. 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.
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 21:32:28 FeedbackPrintRSS
TEHRAN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Bus carrying Turks attacked in Syria, two wounded: reports
Bus carrying Turks attacked in Syria, two wounded: reports
Two people were wounded when a bus carrying a group of Turks came under attack in the restive Homs province in Syria, Turkish media reported Monday.
The attack occurred near the city of Homs, the provincial capital of Homs province, a flash point in Syria's months-long unrest, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported, quoting officials of the Turkish foreign ministry.
Turkish NTV said that two people were injured when their bus, one of a three-bus convoy carrying Turkish pilgrims back to Turkey from Saudi Arabia, was attacked at a checkpoint near the Syrian- Turkish border.
Passengers on the bus said they had been told to disembark at a checkpoint by up to eight uniformed Syrian soldiers. One passenger said the soldiers started firing randomly at the pilgrims as they ran away after getting off the bus, according to Hurriyet report.
Turkey's IHA news agency said the driver of the bus was injured in the attack, but the bus managed to reach the Turkish border.
Turkish private news agency Dogan showed images of a passenger bus with one of its side windows broken at the Cizre border crossing inside Turkey.
The driver of one of the buses, Erhan Surmeli, said the bus was carrying 25 butchers back from Saudi Arabia after the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Adha, or Feast of the Sacrifice, according to media reports.
Surmeli said he heard that the other two buses also came under attack and another passenger was injured, but they also crossed into Turkey.
The wounded were being treated in a hospital in Antakya in Turkey's Hatay province just across the Turkish border, NTV reported.
The attack is likely to further deteriorate Turkey's relations with the Syrian administration, the NTV said.
Syrian pro-government demonstrators attacked the Turkish diplomatic missions in the Syrian capital of Damascus and two other cities on Nov. 13 after the Arab League voted to suspend Syria's participation in its meetings and impose sanctions on the Syrian government for its alleged crackdown on protesters.
Turkish foreign ministry evacuated the families of its diplomats and sent a diplomatic note to Syria one day after the attacks. It has also advised Turkish citizens to avoid travelling to the unrest-hit country.
Turkey last week suspended joint oil exploration plans in six wells in Syria.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 18:01:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Two people were wounded when a bus carrying a group of Turks came under attack in the restive Homs province in Syria, Turkish media reported Monday.
The attack occurred near the city of Homs, the provincial capital of Homs province, a flash point in Syria's months-long unrest, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported, quoting officials of the Turkish foreign ministry.
Turkish NTV said that two people were injured when their bus, one of a three-bus convoy carrying Turkish pilgrims back to Turkey from Saudi Arabia, was attacked at a checkpoint near the Syrian- Turkish border.
Passengers on the bus said they had been told to disembark at a checkpoint by up to eight uniformed Syrian soldiers. One passenger said the soldiers started firing randomly at the pilgrims as they ran away after getting off the bus, according to Hurriyet report.
Turkey's IHA news agency said the driver of the bus was injured in the attack, but the bus managed to reach the Turkish border.
Turkish private news agency Dogan showed images of a passenger bus with one of its side windows broken at the Cizre border crossing inside Turkey.
The driver of one of the buses, Erhan Surmeli, said the bus was carrying 25 butchers back from Saudi Arabia after the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Adha, or Feast of the Sacrifice, according to media reports.
Surmeli said he heard that the other two buses also came under attack and another passenger was injured, but they also crossed into Turkey.
The wounded were being treated in a hospital in Antakya in Turkey's Hatay province just across the Turkish border, NTV reported.
The attack is likely to further deteriorate Turkey's relations with the Syrian administration, the NTV said.
Syrian pro-government demonstrators attacked the Turkish diplomatic missions in the Syrian capital of Damascus and two other cities on Nov. 13 after the Arab League voted to suspend Syria's participation in its meetings and impose sanctions on the Syrian government for its alleged crackdown on protesters.
Turkish foreign ministry evacuated the families of its diplomats and sent a diplomatic note to Syria one day after the attacks. It has also advised Turkish citizens to avoid travelling to the unrest-hit country.
Turkey last week suspended joint oil exploration plans in six wells in Syria.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 18:01:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Dozens killed as tribal forces seize military barracks northeast of Yemeni capital
Dozens killed as tribal forces seize military barracks northeast 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 northeast of the capital Sanna, 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 of 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.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 16:04:22 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 northeast of the capital Sanna, 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 of 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.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 16:04:22 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)
Egypt says elections as scheduled despite clashes kill 10
Egypt says elections as scheduled despite clashes kill 10
Egyptian officials said that the parliamentary elections will be held on time as 10 people died and 214 others were injured in continued clashes between protesters and police in central Cairo on Sunday.
The fresh casualties raised the death toll to 12 during the past two days of violence with more than 1,000 others injured, following the death of two young protesters in Cairo and Alexandria on Saturday.
In Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the mass protests from Jan. 25 to Feb. 11 that toppled Hosni Mubarak's regime, tens of thousands of people gathered on Sunday morning, calling for the military rulers to transfer power to a civilian government as soon as possible. Some people attempted to storm the Interior Ministry building nearby but were stopped by the police.
Some protesters said under current circumstances, security for the elections would be a great concern.
In Alexandria, police fired tear gas to disperse large crowds of protesters and clashes followed. Since Friday, protests have continued in Cairo, Alexandria and some other cities.
As of Sunday night, there were still thousands of protesters gathering in Tahrir Square.
The violence initially broke out when riot police attempted to clear Tahrir Square protesters on Saturday morning. It raised concerns about the security for the historic parliamentary vote slated for Nov. 28, but the Interior Ministry said it is capable of providing security measures for the elections.
The Egyptian government said in a statement after an urgent meeting Sunday the parliamentary elections would start as scheduled despite the latest protests, accusing some people of intending to disturb the elections and preventing the formation of state institutions.
The government and the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces will shoulder responsibilities during this sensitive historical period, the statement added.
The Egyptian people have the rights of peaceful demonstrations to voice their demands, but the government will firmly reject any attempt to use the protests to harm the country's security and stability, the government said.
The government will continue to hold dialogue with different political groups to reach consensus on the constitutional charter and a civilian state, said the statement.
The ruling military council expressed regret for the clashes and assigned the government to take measures to avoid similar incidents.
The military council said it will stick to the power transfer schedule and has no intention to delay it. Any move to disrupt the democratic transition process will not be allowed, it stressed.
The latest protests were sparked by controversy over the constitutional principles, as the opposition parties did not agree with the interim government to grant more power to the military.
Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmi said Saturday that dialogue would be held in the coming few days with other political powers to reach an agreement on the amended document before submitting it to the ruling military council for ratification.
Protests are common after the fall of Mubarak. Egyptians often resort to the demonstrations to raise their demands, where violence occurs.
On Oct. 9, at least 25 people were killed in Cairo when police clashed with protesters, mostly Coptic Christians, in front of the Egyptian TV building.
The parliamentary elections will last until March 2012, following which a new constitution will be drafted and a new president elected.
The calls for an early transfer of power is likely to go on and protests will persist before the military rulers' announcement of a detailed timetable for the presidential elections and power transfer, analysts said.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 06:33:24 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Xinhua writers Li Laifang, Chen Cong
CAIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Egyptian officials said that the parliamentary elections will be held on time as 10 people died and 214 others were injured in continued clashes between protesters and police in central Cairo on Sunday.
The fresh casualties raised the death toll to 12 during the past two days of violence with more than 1,000 others injured, following the death of two young protesters in Cairo and Alexandria on Saturday.
In Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the mass protests from Jan. 25 to Feb. 11 that toppled Hosni Mubarak's regime, tens of thousands of people gathered on Sunday morning, calling for the military rulers to transfer power to a civilian government as soon as possible. Some people attempted to storm the Interior Ministry building nearby but were stopped by the police.
Some protesters said under current circumstances, security for the elections would be a great concern.
In Alexandria, police fired tear gas to disperse large crowds of protesters and clashes followed. Since Friday, protests have continued in Cairo, Alexandria and some other cities.
As of Sunday night, there were still thousands of protesters gathering in Tahrir Square.
The violence initially broke out when riot police attempted to clear Tahrir Square protesters on Saturday morning. It raised concerns about the security for the historic parliamentary vote slated for Nov. 28, but the Interior Ministry said it is capable of providing security measures for the elections.
The Egyptian government said in a statement after an urgent meeting Sunday the parliamentary elections would start as scheduled despite the latest protests, accusing some people of intending to disturb the elections and preventing the formation of state institutions.
The government and the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces will shoulder responsibilities during this sensitive historical period, the statement added.
The Egyptian people have the rights of peaceful demonstrations to voice their demands, but the government will firmly reject any attempt to use the protests to harm the country's security and stability, the government said.
The government will continue to hold dialogue with different political groups to reach consensus on the constitutional charter and a civilian state, said the statement.
The ruling military council expressed regret for the clashes and assigned the government to take measures to avoid similar incidents.
The military council said it will stick to the power transfer schedule and has no intention to delay it. Any move to disrupt the democratic transition process will not be allowed, it stressed.
The latest protests were sparked by controversy over the constitutional principles, as the opposition parties did not agree with the interim government to grant more power to the military.
Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmi said Saturday that dialogue would be held in the coming few days with other political powers to reach an agreement on the amended document before submitting it to the ruling military council for ratification.
Protests are common after the fall of Mubarak. Egyptians often resort to the demonstrations to raise their demands, where violence occurs.
On Oct. 9, at least 25 people were killed in Cairo when police clashed with protesters, mostly Coptic Christians, in front of the Egyptian TV building.
The parliamentary elections will last until March 2012, following which a new constitution will be drafted and a new president elected.
The calls for an early transfer of power is likely to go on and protests will persist before the military rulers' announcement of a detailed timetable for the presidential elections and power transfer, analysts said.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-21 06:33:24 FeedbackPrintRSS
by Xinhua writers Li Laifang, Chen Cong
CAIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Israeli Prime Minister calls on medical residents to return to work
Israeli PM calls on medical residents to return to work
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at Sunday's weekly cabinet session, urged striking physicians to immediately return to work and "leave patients out of the struggle."
"I understand your desire to improve your conditions of employment, but none of us, nobody in the State of Israel, is above the law and we must all honor court decisions," he said, according to an official statement.
The prime minister also pointed to a High Court back-to-work order.
Since last week, over 300 medical residents have failed to show up for their shifts, as part of their battle for increased wages and improved working conditions. In the over seven-month struggle with the Finance Ministry, physicians have complained of the shortage of staff, long shifts, and low salaries.
Residents agreed to return to talks on Saturday and appoint a mediator to deal with the Finance Ministry, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The hard-fought four-way labor dispute between the Israel Medical Association, the Health and Finance ministries and the residents has led to continuous disruptions in the Israeli health care system for more than half a year.
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 22:21:35 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at Sunday's weekly cabinet session, urged striking physicians to immediately return to work and "leave patients out of the struggle."
"I understand your desire to improve your conditions of employment, but none of us, nobody in the State of Israel, is above the law and we must all honor court decisions," he said, according to an official statement.
The prime minister also pointed to a High Court back-to-work order.
Since last week, over 300 medical residents have failed to show up for their shifts, as part of their battle for increased wages and improved working conditions. In the over seven-month struggle with the Finance Ministry, physicians have complained of the shortage of staff, long shifts, and low salaries.
Residents agreed to return to talks on Saturday and appoint a mediator to deal with the Finance Ministry, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The hard-fought four-way labor dispute between the Israel Medical Association, the Health and Finance ministries and the residents has led to continuous disruptions in the Israeli health care system for more than half a year.
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 22:21:35 FeedbackPrintRSS
JERUSALEM, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
Syrian situation getting more complex amid increased domestic, int'l pressure
Syrian situation getting more complex amid increased domestic, int'l pressure
The Syrian situation is getting more complex as President Bashar al-Assad faces escalating domestic and international pressure to end his administration's iron-fisted actions on anti-government protesters.
Analysts say international parties should promote peaceful talks instead of violence to avoid civil war in the country.
RUSSIA OPPOSES FAVORING OPPOSITION FORCES
Analysts said Russia had a very clear stand: Wanting dialogue to peacefully resolve the Syrian crisis and opposing external backing for the opposition, especially the provision of weapons.
Russia believes more pressure should be exerted, not only on the Syrian government but also on its opponents, to get the two sides to talk, they say. It has also criticized the Arab League decision to suspend Syria's membership, but supports its proposal to send 500 observers to Damascus to help implement a peace deal agreed earlier this month.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that civilians as well as armed people were involved in the peaceful anti-government demonstrations.
The armed people had an entirely different agenda from reform and democracy in Syria, Lavrov said, adding they were continuously receiving weapons from neighboring countries.
If the opposition continued to attack government troops, the country would plunge into a civil war. The two sides must both end their violence and accept suggestions for dialogue, which could be held at the Arab League's headquarters, Lavrov said.
On Monday, Lavrov accused western countries of encouraging the opposition forces to topple the Syrian government.
UNITED STATES PUSHING FOR REGIME CHANGE
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that a civil war in Syria was possible if the opposition in the West Asian country grew stronger.
"I think there could be a civil war with a very determined and well-armed and eventually well-financed opposition that is, if not directed by, certainly influenced by defectors from the army," Clinton told the NBC network.
"We're already seeing that, something that we hate to see because we are in favor of a peaceful protest and non-violent opposition," she said, blaming Assad for provoking the opposition into "taking up arms."
Although Clinton stressed the Libya situation was not applicable to Syria, analysts said the comparisons were becoming similar as the Syrian opposition forces, supported by foreign countries, had started to take up arms against the Assad government.
Local media observed that the United States was trying to bring down the Assad government through tougher economic sanctions and increased political pressure, backed by the European Union, Arab countries and Turkey. It was also providing various forms of support to the Syrian opposition forces.
FRANCE HOPES TO INCREASE SANCTIONS ON SYRIA
France on Wednesday announced it had recalled its ambassador in Syria due to security reasons.
According to the French Foreign Ministry, the French consular agencies in Aleppo and Latakia were attacked last weekend, and the French government had lodged strong protest against the Syrian government and summoned the Syrian ambassador to France.
Since the Syrian crisis broke out in March, the French government has repeatedly condemned Syrian authorities. It says it does not support military intervention in Syria but hopes to resolve the crisis through international sanctions.
On Friday, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said the Syrian regime was not willing to implement a reform program and "now it is too late." The UN Security Council should increase sanctions on Syria, he said.
Asked about the French attitude toward a Turkish military intervention in Syria, Juppe said, "We are against unilateral intervention. If an intervention is implemented, the decision should be made by the United Nations. This has been France's opinion all along."
The foreign minister added that the Syrian opposition should avoid the use of arms to avoid civil war.
SYRIA WELCOMES OBSERVERS FROM ARAB LEAGUE
Analysts sid the Syrian government did not respond to the Arab League's request to send observers to the country before the deadline because the League was studying modifications suggested by the Syrian side on the Arab observer mission.
The Arab League put forward a plan Wednesday to send 500 observers and gave Syria three days to agree. On Saturday, it suspended Syria's membership in the pan-Arab body until Assad implemented its deal to end what it said was a crackdown on protestors.
As violence continued in the West Asian country, allowing in foreign observers was in the interest of the Syrian government, observers said.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said Monday that his country welcomed any Arab effort to solve the crisis, stressing that Damascus had a strong resolve to implement the Arab League peace plan reached on Nov. 2.
But analysts say the ongoing bloodletting in Syria is far more complicated than an alleged lethal crackdown on protesters by the government, as some media reported.
Former Egyptian ambassador to Syria Mahmoud Shokry said the current security situation in Syria is not under complete control of the government.
The Free Syrian Army, an alleged group of army defectors, has recently carried out attacks against an air intelligence base outside Damascus.
It shows the Syrian government is unlikely to unilaterally stop all military activities in three days as the Arab League requested.
Allowing in observers would help clarify distorted press reports and change the passive and cornered status of the Syrian government. That's why the Syrian government welcomed the observers, analysts said.
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 22:20:42 FeedbackPrintRSS
BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
The Syrian situation is getting more complex as President Bashar al-Assad faces escalating domestic and international pressure to end his administration's iron-fisted actions on anti-government protesters.
Analysts say international parties should promote peaceful talks instead of violence to avoid civil war in the country.
RUSSIA OPPOSES FAVORING OPPOSITION FORCES
Analysts said Russia had a very clear stand: Wanting dialogue to peacefully resolve the Syrian crisis and opposing external backing for the opposition, especially the provision of weapons.
Russia believes more pressure should be exerted, not only on the Syrian government but also on its opponents, to get the two sides to talk, they say. It has also criticized the Arab League decision to suspend Syria's membership, but supports its proposal to send 500 observers to Damascus to help implement a peace deal agreed earlier this month.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that civilians as well as armed people were involved in the peaceful anti-government demonstrations.
The armed people had an entirely different agenda from reform and democracy in Syria, Lavrov said, adding they were continuously receiving weapons from neighboring countries.
If the opposition continued to attack government troops, the country would plunge into a civil war. The two sides must both end their violence and accept suggestions for dialogue, which could be held at the Arab League's headquarters, Lavrov said.
On Monday, Lavrov accused western countries of encouraging the opposition forces to topple the Syrian government.
UNITED STATES PUSHING FOR REGIME CHANGE
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that a civil war in Syria was possible if the opposition in the West Asian country grew stronger.
"I think there could be a civil war with a very determined and well-armed and eventually well-financed opposition that is, if not directed by, certainly influenced by defectors from the army," Clinton told the NBC network.
"We're already seeing that, something that we hate to see because we are in favor of a peaceful protest and non-violent opposition," she said, blaming Assad for provoking the opposition into "taking up arms."
Although Clinton stressed the Libya situation was not applicable to Syria, analysts said the comparisons were becoming similar as the Syrian opposition forces, supported by foreign countries, had started to take up arms against the Assad government.
Local media observed that the United States was trying to bring down the Assad government through tougher economic sanctions and increased political pressure, backed by the European Union, Arab countries and Turkey. It was also providing various forms of support to the Syrian opposition forces.
FRANCE HOPES TO INCREASE SANCTIONS ON SYRIA
France on Wednesday announced it had recalled its ambassador in Syria due to security reasons.
According to the French Foreign Ministry, the French consular agencies in Aleppo and Latakia were attacked last weekend, and the French government had lodged strong protest against the Syrian government and summoned the Syrian ambassador to France.
Since the Syrian crisis broke out in March, the French government has repeatedly condemned Syrian authorities. It says it does not support military intervention in Syria but hopes to resolve the crisis through international sanctions.
On Friday, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said the Syrian regime was not willing to implement a reform program and "now it is too late." The UN Security Council should increase sanctions on Syria, he said.
Asked about the French attitude toward a Turkish military intervention in Syria, Juppe said, "We are against unilateral intervention. If an intervention is implemented, the decision should be made by the United Nations. This has been France's opinion all along."
The foreign minister added that the Syrian opposition should avoid the use of arms to avoid civil war.
SYRIA WELCOMES OBSERVERS FROM ARAB LEAGUE
Analysts sid the Syrian government did not respond to the Arab League's request to send observers to the country before the deadline because the League was studying modifications suggested by the Syrian side on the Arab observer mission.
The Arab League put forward a plan Wednesday to send 500 observers and gave Syria three days to agree. On Saturday, it suspended Syria's membership in the pan-Arab body until Assad implemented its deal to end what it said was a crackdown on protestors.
As violence continued in the West Asian country, allowing in foreign observers was in the interest of the Syrian government, observers said.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said Monday that his country welcomed any Arab effort to solve the crisis, stressing that Damascus had a strong resolve to implement the Arab League peace plan reached on Nov. 2.
But analysts say the ongoing bloodletting in Syria is far more complicated than an alleged lethal crackdown on protesters by the government, as some media reported.
Former Egyptian ambassador to Syria Mahmoud Shokry said the current security situation in Syria is not under complete control of the government.
The Free Syrian Army, an alleged group of army defectors, has recently carried out attacks against an air intelligence base outside Damascus.
It shows the Syrian government is unlikely to unilaterally stop all military activities in three days as the Arab League requested.
Allowing in observers would help clarify distorted press reports and change the passive and cornered status of the Syrian government. That's why the Syrian government welcomed the observers, analysts said.
English.news.cn 2011-11-20 22:20:42 FeedbackPrintRSS
BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua)
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