Middle East & North Africa

Israel FM says 'impossible' to reach an agreement with PA president

15 Sep 2021; MEMO: Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman said today that it impossible to reach an agreement with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Anadolu reported.

"Security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority is a common interest, but it is not possible to reach a political settlement with Abu Mazen," Lieberman said in reference to Abbas.

Muslim Brotherhood ready to talk with Egyptian regime with no preconditions

15 Sep 2021; MEMO: A senior official of the Muslim Brotherhood said on Tuesday that the door is open for talks with the Egyptian regime without preconditions, Anadolu has reported. Yousef Nada was responding to remarks by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.

Israeli court orders Hamas to pay $11.8m for 'murdering settlers'

15 Sep 2021; MEMO: An Israeli court in Jerusalem ordered the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement on Monday to pay NIS38 million ($11.8m) to the families of three Israeli settlers who went missing in the occupied West Bank in 2014, Ynet News has reported. Gilad Shaar, Eyal Yifrach and Naftali Fraenkel went missing in June 2014 and were eventually found dead.

Bahrain opposition leader rejects 'humiliating' royal pardon

15 Sep 2021; MEMO: A Bahraini opposition leader and Secretary-General of the Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy, Hassan Mushaima, has rejected a conditional royal pardon to release him from prison, describing it as "humiliating" and reiterating his right to freedom without restriction.

In a letter circulated on social media yesterday, Mushaima stressed his refusal to waive any of his basic rights or accept preconditions in return for his release.

Turkey Tightens Control On Refugees, Halts Newcomers

ANKARA, Sept 14 (NNN-ANADOLU) – The Turkish government decided to put new plans in motion, which will tighten control on millions of refugees in the country, a move aiming to address rising negative feelings against migrants among the population.

Authorities will halt the issue of new applications for temporary protection papers, in the capital Ankara, and prevent unregistered Syrians from residing in the city.

Crisis In Gaza “Political”: Palestinian PM

RAMALLAH, Sept 14 (NNN-WAFA) – Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammed Ishtaye, said yesterday that, the crisis in Gaza “is political,” in response to the plan, proposed by Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, on resolving the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

“The crisis in Gaza is political, likewise, the crisis in the West Bank and East Jerusalem,” Ishtaye said, at a weekly meeting of the Palestinian Authority cabinet, according to an official statement.

8 Libyans injured by mine set up by Russian mercenaries

14 Sep 2021; MEMO: Eight members of the same family were wounded when a landmine was planted by the Russian Wagner Group, which fights on the side of renegade General Khalifa Haftar in the Libyan capital Tripoli, Anadolu reported.

The victims were six children and their parents, the report added.

Vidad Abu Al-Niran, head of the Libyan Ministry of Health's information department said that while some of the injuries were light, others were serious.

Israel: Bennett says meeting with Sisi 'very important and very good'

14 Sep 2021; MEMO: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi as "very important and very good" before leaving the Red Sea resort city of Sharm Al-Sheikh to return to Israel yesterday.

"We discussed a number of issues concerning the state, security, and economic affairs, as well as ways to further deepen relations and boost the interests of both nations," explained Bennett. "Israel is beginning to open itself further to its regional neighbours."

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