Middle East & North Africa

Israeli Occupation Authority accelerates underground digging around Al-Aqsa Mosque

13 Jan 2023; MEMO: Jerusalem Affairs researcher, Fakhri Abu Diyab, has revealed that the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) has accelerated its underground digging activities around the Aqsa Mosque, particularly on its southern and south-western sides, The Palestinian Information Centre reports.

Turkish prosecutors launch probe into anti-Erdogan protest in Sweden

ANKARA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish prosecutors on Friday launched an investigation into a protest against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

The decision came after the Turkish president filed a criminal complaint with Turkish prosecutors over the protest.

Israel: Ex-DM Gantz warns Israelis about Netanyahu's intentions

Former Israel's Defence Minister Benny Gantz revealed yesterday that he intends to participate in the protest planned against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government on Saturday.

Gantz accused Netanyahu of seeking to overthrow the rule of the police, adding that the prime minister allegedly intends to violate the most basic rights and refuse to negotiate broad agreements, which he considered dangerous for Israel.

Palestinians call on countries, institutions to boycott new Israel gov't

13 Jan 2023; MEMO: Palestinians are urging all countries and institutions across the world to boycott the new Israeli government and stand-up to the unilateral steps being taken which could undermine the two-state solution.

The Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Ibrahim Khreisheh, told the official Voice of Palestine radio that meetings were held with the concerned authorities in Switzerland to brief them on the Israeli government's extreme actions.

Turkiye Foreign Minister says likely to meet Syria counterpart early February

12 Jan 2023; MEMO: Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said on Thursday that he could meet his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Mekdad, early in February, rejecting reports that the two could meet next week, Reuters reported.

Such a meeting would mark the highest-level talks between Ankara and Damascus since the Syrian war began in 2011, and signal a further thaw in ties.

Speaking on a live broadcast, Cavusoglu said there was no set date for the meeting but it would be held "as soon as possible".

Saudi Arabia, Britain agree to bolster cooperation on critical minerals

12 Jan 2023; MEMO: Britain and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement to strengthen cooperation on diversifying sources of critical minerals, including graphite and lithium, the British government said in a statement.

This came during the British Business Secretary, Grant Shapps's visit to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, during which he attended the Future Metals forum.

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