Middle East & North Africa

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States called Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates “major security partners” early Saturday, a previously unheard of designation for the two countries home to major American military operations.

A White House statement tied the designation to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates normalizing ties to Israel, saying it “reflects their extraordinary courage, determination and leadership.” It also noted the two countries long have taken part in U.S. military exercises.

14 Jan 2021; MEMO: Turkey will send 20,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the country's top health official said yesterday.

According to Anadolu's Northern Cyprus office, TRNC's Health Minister Ali Pilli said that the vaccines will be provided both by the European Union and Turkey.

15 Jan 2021; MEMO: Israel is to urge the incoming Biden administration not to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE over their serious record of human rights violations as well as regional issues such as the war in Yemen, Axios has reported.

15 Jan 2021; MEMO: Syria has called on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities and take "strict and immediate" action against Israel's repeated air strikes on its neighbour.

Khartoum, Jan 15 (NNN-SUNA) — The US Department of Commerce and Industry and Security Bureau amended its regulations by removing restrictions on the export of American products to Sudan that were imposed under its designation on the terrorism list.

The products include software, computers and communications.

The move allows the US companies to deal with Sudan without obstacles.

RAMALLAH, Jan 15 (NNN-WAFA) — The Israeli military court of Ofer, west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, has remanded Palestinian resistance icon and protester Saeed Arma, 52, for an additional 30 days in prison, according to the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Commission.

The Commission stated in a statement that the court served an indictment against Arma, which included throwing stones at the Israeli occupation soldiers and settlers.

ANKARA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday received his first dose of vaccine as the country has started mass vaccination against COVID-19.

After receiving the jab at a hospital in capital Ankara, Erdogan called on all political party leaders and lawmakers to urge people for endorsing the vaccine. "I believe it will be vital especially if all political leaders and MPs encourage (jabs of) the COVID-19 vaccine and strengthen the campaign."

ANKARA, January 14. /TASS/: Turkey continues talks with Russia on the potential supply of a second regiment of S-400 missile defense systems, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday.

"It would be problematic for Ankara to refuse the purchase of Russian air defense systems S-400. We expect that the differences with the USA on this matter will be resolved through dialogue," A Haber TV channel quotes the minister as saying. "Turkey continues to hold talks with Russia on acquiring a second regiment of S-400."

KHARTOUM, Jan 14 (NNN-SUNA) – The South Sudan mediation Wednesday held a meeting at the Republican Palace with the signatory parties of Juba peace agreement for Sudan.

The meeting was headed by the Advisor of South Sudan President for Security Affairs and head of the mediation, Tut Gulwak, in the presence of the Transitional Sovereignty Council members, Lt. Gen. Shams-Eddin Kabbashi, and Mohamed Hassan Al-Ta’ayeshi, and a number of the leaders of the peace agreement signatory movements.

14 Jan 2021; MEMO: Egypt has signed an agreement with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) to finance the country's petroleum imports, the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum announced on Tuesday.

"The loan agreement is valued at $1.1 billion," the ministry confirmed in an official statement, adding that the fund was allocated: "To fund the country's petroleum and basic goods imports for 2021."