Middle East & North Africa

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Afghanistan’s warring sides started negotiations on Saturday for the first time aimed at ending decades of war, bringing together delegates appointed by the Afghan government and the Taliban.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attended the opening ceremony, which was held in Qatar where the meetings will take place. It’s the latest in a flurry of diplomatic activity by the Trump administration ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November.

10 Sep 2020; MEMO: Hamas on Wednesday criticised the Arab League’s failure to endorse a Palestinian draft resolution condemning the normalisation agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

The Palestinian faction said in a statement that the league’s failure underlines its abandonment of its role and duty towards Palestine by justifying agreements with the enemy, while the occupation continues with its oppression.

10 Sep 2020; MEMO: Iran’s military yesterday launched comprehensive military exercises in the Arabian Sea, with the participation of land, sea and air forces.

Official IRIB quoted an army official  statement as saying that the maneuvers, dubbed “Zolfaghar 99”, would last three days, and that they was taking place on an “area that extends from the east of the Straits of Hormuz to the Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean, covering two million square kilometers.”

10 Sep 2020; MEMO: A secret group which identified itself as the Freedom movement claimed to have captured at least two Israeli Mossad agents in Lebanon, Aliwaa newspaper said.

The Intel Sky Twitter account on Wednesday published a video clip saying “a party calling itself a freedom movement claims that they captured Israeli Mossad officers and publishes a short video clip of them, and they promise Netanyahu to pay the price!”.

10 Sep 2020; MEMO: Israeli authorities demolished 51 structures owned by Palestinians in the city of Jerusalem, the Wadi Hilweh Information Centre said.

RIYADH, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Saudi-led coalition Thursday intercepted multiple ballistic missiles and drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards the kingdom, state media said, after the insurgents claimed they had targeted the capital Riyadh.

The Iran-linked rebels have stepped up attacks on neighbouring Saudi Arabia, mainly targeting southern provinces along the long border between both countries.

But on Thursday afternoon, the rebels’ Al-Masirah television said the Houthis attacked an “important target” in Riyadh using drones and a missile.

ASMARA, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Eritrean government has released on bail more than 20 prisoners who had been in detention for years because of their faith.

The prisoners from Christian evangelical and Pentecostal denominations are among those being held in a prison outside the capital, Asmara.

In Eritrea only four religious groups are officially recognised – Christian Orthodox, Catholic Church, Lutheran Church and Sunni Islam.

RABAT, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Military leaders from Morocco on Thursday discussed with visiting French Chief of Defense Staff General Francois Lecointre about military cooperation.

The talks focused on strengthening military cooperation between the Armed Forces of the two countries, said a statement by the General Staff of Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR).

Francois Lecointre was received by Inspector General of FAR Abdelfattah Louarak, Minister-Delegate for National Defense Abdellatif Loudiyi, and the Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita.

AMMAN, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- A massive explosion rocked a military base in Zarqa Governorate when mortar bombs blew up in a facility affiliated to the army, said Jordanian official.

Preliminary investigations show that the explosion occurred due to a short circuit in the facility where the bombs were stored, said Amjad Adaileh, Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs.

The minister said that the facility is located in an unpopulated area and there has been no immediate reports of injuries so far.

BEIRUT (AP) — During his visit this month, French President Emmanuel Macron gave Lebanon’s politicians a road map for policy changes and reform, set deadlines for them to take action and told them he’d be back in December to check on progress.

It was a hands-on approach that angered some in Lebanon and was welcomed by others. And it revived a bitter question in the tiny Mediterranean country: Can Lebanese rule themselves?