Middle East & North Africa

TRIPOLI, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Embassy in Libya on Sunday welcomed the reopening of Sharara oilfield, the largest in Libya, after it was closed by tribal leaders in January.

"The Embassy welcomes the announcement by the National Oil Corporation (NOC) that it is resuming production at the critical Sharara oil field, a significant step forward as the NOC fulfills its crucial and apolitical mandate to promote the interests of all Libyans," the embassy said in a statement.

RAMALLAH, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Palestine on Sunday slammed Israel for issuing deportation orders for Palestinians away from East Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"Once again, Israel is bent on demonstrating its contempt for freedom of worship and religions, as demonstrably clear in its increased violations of the Palestinian people's freedom of worship, especially in occupied Jerusalem," said member of Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee Hanan Ashrawi.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An Iranian doctor based in Florida returned to his homeland Monday after being part of a swap that saw a U.S. Navy veteran held by Iran return to America.

The semiofficial Fars news agency published an image of Matteo Taerri being greeted at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport by Foreign Ministry officials and his family. The agency and state television identified Taerri by his Persian name, Majid.

BEIRUT (AP) — The Lebanese military on Sunday said overnight riots and sectarian tensions in central Beirut and other areas left dozens of people injured, including 25 soldiers, and warned that the clashes had endangered national unity.

07 June 2020; MEMO: An Israeli El Al Airlines airplane flying from Buenos Aires crossed through Sudan’s airspace on Thursday, the first commercial Israeli airliner to do so, according to The Times of Israel, as a potential indication of improving relations between Israel and Sudan.

07 June 2020; MEMO: Secretary of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)’s Executive Committee Saeb Erekat announced on Friday that the Palestinian leadership took the necessary measures to make Israel pay the price of 53 years of occupation, a statement disclosed.

In a statement sent to media marking the 53rd anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, Erekat noted that the Palestinian leadership terminated the deals which had been practically cancelled by Israel.

07 June 2020; MEMO: Israeli occupation forces cracked down on Friday on Palestinian demonstrators marking the 53rd anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reported.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - More than a week after Israeli police shot dead an unarmed and autistic Palestinian in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called the killing a tragedy and offered his condolences to the family.

Iyad al-Halaq, 32, was killed during a police chase in Jerusalem’s Old City on May 30. A police spokesman said at the time officers suspected he was carrying a weapon.

The police internal affairs division is investigating the shooting.

VIENNA, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — OPEC members, led by Saudi Arabia, and other key oil producers agreed to extend historic output cuts through July, as oil prices tentatively recover and coronavirus lockdowns ease.

The 13-member cartel and its allies, notably Russia, decided to extend by a month deep May and June cuts agreed in April to boost prices, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said in a statement.

Prices had plummeted owing to falling demand as countries around the world imposed strict lockdowns to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

TRIPOLI, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Embassy to Libya on Saturday welcomed the Egyptian initiative for a political settlement between Libya's UN-backed government and the eastern-based army.

"The United States is watching with interest as political voices in the east of Libya find expression. We look forward to seeing these voices incorporated into a genuine nationwide political dialogue immediately following the resumption of the UNSMIL-hosted 5+5 talks on the modalities of a cease-fire," the embassy said in a statement.