Middle East & North Africa

Iraq's Oil Ministry exported $11.07 billion worth of oil in March, the highest level in 50 years, as crude oil prices soared in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The ministry said in a statement that it had exported 3.244 million barrels per day, at an average price of more than $110 in March, achieving the highest revenues since 1972.

According to the statement, 99.11 million barrels of crude oil were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq, while 1.4 million barrels were exported from the Kirkuk fields through Ceyhan port.

04 April 2022; MEMO: Israeli authorities yesterday banned the Deputy Director of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Council, Sheikh Najeh Bakirat, from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque for six months.

Quds Press quoted local sources as saying  that the occupation's intelligence services summoned Bakirat and interrogated him "before handing him a ban."

Bakirat has been arrested numerous times, banned from entering Al-Aqsa and from traveling over the past few years.

04 April 2022; MEMO: A roadside bomb yesterday targeted a military convoy carrying supplies for the US-led coalition against Daesh in northern Iraq, Anadolu reported.

The agency quoted a police captain in the Saladin Governorate as saying that the explosion took place in Saladin's main road as a column of civilian trucks carrying supplies for the coalition forces passed by.

The source, who asked not to be named, said the explosion did not cause any material or human damage.

04 April 2022; MEMO: Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza yesterday warned that they would respond to "Israeli crimes," while Israel warned it is ready for a new military operation in the besieged enclave.

"Our people and resistance will respond to any crime committed by the occupation," a joint statement issued by the Palestinian factions in Gaza said. "Our response will be more fierce and stronger," they stressed.

04 April 2022; MEMO: A group of individuals and organisations in Jordan announced the launch of the Jordanian People's Committee for Solidarity with Russia yesterday, RIA Novosti has reported.

The committee was created "after several meetings and discussions to counter "imperialist ambitions, strengthen the independence of Jordan and develop Jordanian-Russian" links and relations.

04 April 2022; MEMO: Jordan's Prince Hamzah Bin Al-Hussein, the former crown prince, announced yesterday that he has relinquished his royal title in protest over the kingdom's current policies, Reuters reported.

In a letter posted on Twitter, Prince Hamzah said he was giving up his title because his values "are not in line with the approaches, trends, and modern methods of our institutions."

East Jerusalem; 04 April 2022 (UMMN): Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Sunday warned that Israeli settlers breaking into a church property in the Old City of Jerusalem could ignite a turbulent scenario.

In a statement reported by Greek City Times, the Israeli organisation Ateret Cohanim broke into the Little Petra Hotel, which the church says it still owns, is illegal and should not be allowed.

04 April 2022; MEMO: Hamas yesterday condemned settlers' seizure of Little Petra Hotel owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem as a "new crime".

"Hamas rejects and condemns the Zionist extremist colonial groups' seizure of the Little Petra Hotel owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which is located in Omar Ibn Al Khattab Square," a statement said.

BEIRUT, April 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon Najat Rochdi on Saturday urged the Lebanese government to work to rebuild the country's education system.

"For the future of Lebanon and its children, it is critical that the Lebanese government and all stakeholders work together to rebuild the education system," Rochdi said in a statement, noting that UN agencies have provided significant support.

DAMASCUS, SYria (AP) — At the children’s cancer ward in a hospital in the Syrian capital of Damascus, children walk down brightly painted corridors, hooked up to IV needles delivering critical treatment into their bloodstream.

Nurses tend to babies and teenagers getting chemotherapy sit in reclining chairs. Other children, in a nearby playroom, draw and color to pass the time.