Middle East & North Africa

Israel: Gov't, opposition hold talks on judicial overhaul

11 Apr 2023; MEMO: Israeli President Isaac Herzog yesterday hosted talks between the coalition government and the opposition over the planned judicial overhaul, Anadolu reported.

"The discussion dealt with building the framework for the continuation of the negotiations after Passover, when the parties will meet to discuss the essential issues […] with the aim of trying to reach agreements," Herzog's office said in a statement.

Turkiye launched world's first unmanned warship

11 Apr 2023; MEMO: The world's first unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) carrier was delivered to the Turkish navy yesterday, Anadolu reported.

The unmanned warship was built in Istanbul-based shipyard Sedef. It can carry helicopters, drones, land vehicles, light warcraft and personnel.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the ceremony held to receive th TCG Anadolu.

Chile, Argentina, Cuba slam Israel attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque

11 Apr 2023; MEMO: Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Cuba condemned the Israeli aggression on Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing that Israel must avoid escalating violence.

In a statement reported by Quds Press, Argentina said: "Holy places in Jerusalem are designated for safe and peaceful prayers," calling for Israel to "respect the historical and religious status quo in this holy site."

Turkey: Moscow likely to host four-party meeting of top diplomats on Syria in May — Cavusoglu

ANKARA, April 10. /TASS/: The four-side meeting between Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Russia, Syria and Iran on the Syrian issue may take place in early May in Moscow, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on TV Monday.

"The organization of the meeting at the level of foreign ministers was discussed by deputy foreign ministers earlier. Last week, we discussed it with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Currently, such meeting is planned for early May, and it will take place in Moscow," he said.

Egyptian FM Called For End To Terrorism, Foreign Interference In Syria

CAIRO, Apr 10 (NNN-MENA) – Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, yesterday called for an end to all forms of terrorism and foreign interference in Syria, in order to restore its security and stability.

During a phone call with the United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, the top Egyptian diplomat reiterated Egypt’s full support for Pedersen’s efforts, to reach a comprehensive political settlement in Syria, in line with Security Council Resolution 2254, according to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

Israel Launches Airstrikes On Syria In Response To Two Rocket Attacks: Army

JERUSALEM, Apr 10 (NNN-MA’AN) – Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said, it launched airstrikes on Syria early yesterday, after a second rocket barrage was fired from Syria towards the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

The rare rocket attacks from Israel’s north-eastern neighbour triggered sirens in the communities of Natur and Avnei Eitan in the Golan Heights. No injuries or damage were reported yet.

Iranian team to visit Saudi Arabia to prepare embassy reopening: media

TEHRAN, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A technical team from Iran will "probably" travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to prepare for the reopening of the Iranian embassy in Riyadh, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.

Tasnim said the team would visit the building of the Iranian embassy and prepare the ground for its reopening.

Iran says reducing U.S. dollar influence will minimize West's domination over global economy

TEHRAN, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A top Iranian security official said on Sunday that reducing the U.S. dollar's influence on regional and international trade will minimize the West's domination over the global economy.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani made the remarks in a meeting with the Russian president's aide Igor Levitin in Iranian capital Tehran, according to SNSC-affiliated Nour News.

Lebanon still proxy battleground, 50 years after Israel raid

BEIRUT (AP) — It was a cold night 50 years ago when an Israeli commando team led by a man disguised as a woman infiltrated a posh Beirut neighborhood and shot and killed three top officials from the Palestine Liberation Organization in their apartments.

The anniversary is little noted, but the April 10, 1973 operation has a relevance that continues today.

Egypt: Saudi officials visit Yemen’s capital for talks with rebels

CAIRO (AP) — Saudi officials were in Yemen’s capital Sunday for talks with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, as part of international efforts to find a settlement to Yemen’s nine-year conflict, officials said.

Saudi Arabia’s delegation, chaired by the kingdom’s ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber, met with Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi’s supreme political council, which runs rebel-held areas in Yemen, according to the Houthi-run SABA news agency.

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