Middle East & North Africa

ISTANBUL, Dec 23 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkey’s first home-made submarine was taken into pool, to continue its construction in the northwestern province of Kocaeli.

The building of TCG Piri Reis started four years ago, under the new-type submarine project of the Turkish Naval Forces, with a view to increasing the capabilities of the Turkish defence industry.

RIYADH, Dec 23 (NNN-BERNAMA-ANADOLU) — A Saudi court has sentenced five people to death for taking part in the murder of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi, reported Anadolu Agency, citing the kingdom’s public prosecutor Monday.

Speaking at a press conference, Saud bin Abdullah Al-Muajab said former royal adviser Saud al-Qahtani and the former consul in Istanbul Mohammed al-Oteibi were not charged in the killing.

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Dec 23 (NNN-NNA) – The Israeli missiles, fired into Syrian territories on Sunday night (last night), were launched from the southern Lebanese city of Sidon, Al Jadeed TV channel reported.

Last month, the chief of UN Interim Force in Lebanon, filed a serious complaint to the Israeli army, asking it to respect the UN Resolution 1701, by stopping its daily violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Israel violates Lebanon’s airspace on an almost daily basis, according to the Lebanese authorities.

22 Dec 2019; MEMO: The Israeli Ministry of Public Security released to the public on 19 December the report which laid the basis for the expulsion of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), earlier this year.

22 Dec 2019; MEMO: Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights called on Friday for the Interior Ministry to put an end to the assassination and kidnapping of activists protesting against the government and its politicians, Anadolu Agency reports.

22 Dec 2019; MEMO: Thousands of protesters marched in support of China’s Uighurs in Istanbul on Friday and voiced solidarity with Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil after the furore caused by his criticism of China’s policies toward the Muslim minority, reports Reuters.

22 Dec 2019; MEMO: Protected by the Israeli occupation police, 407 Israeli settlers raided Al-Aqsa mosque last week, Palestine Information Centre reported on Friday.

22 December 2019; AFP: A surge in violence Saturday left 12 civilians dead in Syria's last major opposition bastion as aid groups warned of a humanitarian catastrophe if cross-border aid stops reaching the region.

Heightened regime and Russian bombardment on the northwestern province of Idlib since December 16 has already forced tens of thousands of vulnerable people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations.

BEIRUT, Dec 22 (NNN-NNA) – Newly-appointed Lebanese Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, urged all political parties and civil society protesters, to join efforts to save Lebanon from its difficult situation.

“We cannot wait any longer. We need a government of experts. It is time for serious work,” Diab was quoted as saying by Elnashra, an independent newspaper.

Diab’s remarks came, following his visit to different parliamentary blocs for consultations, with regard to government formation.

TRIPOLI, Dec 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Libya’s east-based army, seized a Grenada-flagged ship with Turkish crew, off the Libyan coast, local media reported today.

“A vessel under the flag of Grenada, with a team of Turkish citizens on board, was detained,” the east-based Libyan National Army Spokesman, Ahmad al-Mismari, was quoted by local media as saying.

The eastern forces stopped the ship in Libyan waters, off the eastern city of Derna and questioned three crew members, with Turkish passports, the spokesman said.