Middle East & North Africa

Algeria FM says time has come for Syria to return to Arab League

11 Nov 2021; MEMO: Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ramtane Lamamra, said yesterday that the time has come for Syria to return to the Arab League and called for non-intervention in its domestic affairs.

"Algeria stresses that time has come for Syria's return to the Arab League without any external interference in its domestic affairs", the Algerian Ennahar newspaper quoted Lamamra as saying, adding: "We are looking forward to the reunion."

Palestinian Authority to sue Israel over 'crimes' of hacking Palestinians' phones

11 Nov 2021; MEMO: The Palestinian Authority (PA) said yesterday it is planning to prosecute the Israeli occupation over its "crime" of hacking phones of Palestinian employees.

In a statement, the PA's Foreign Ministry said that some of its employees' phones were hacked by Israeli spyware Pegasus.

India: Flight arrivals suspended in Chennai due to rain

Chennai, Nov 11 (PTI) Arrival of flights here is suspended till evening in view of showers and heavy winds though departures would continue, authorities here said on Thursday.

"Due to severe rains and heavy cross winds, arrivals at #AAI Chennai Airport will remain suspended from 1315 hrs to 1800 hrs, today. Departures will continue. The decision has been taken considering the safety aspect of passengers and severity of wind," the Chennai Airport tweeted.

Aid official: Thousands of Afghan refugees fleeing to Iran

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Thousands of Afghan refugees are fleeing the Taliban into neighboring Iran every day and the trend could eventually become a crisis for Europe, a top aid official said Wednesday.

Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, visited refugees this week around Kerman province in eastern Iran close to the Afghanistan border. He warned that Europe could be affected if the influx into Iran continues.

Libyan PM stresses importance of telecommunications sector

TRIPOLI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah on Tuesday stressed the importance of telecommunications and information technology at an exhibition, in which Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE also participated.

The ninth annual Technology Exhibition, which kicks off on Tuesday and will last for four days, aims to promote high-end technical exchanges in the telecommunications sector.

Sudan agrees to open two more camps for refugees fleeing Ethiopia's Tigray region

9 Nov 2021; MEMO: Sudanese authorities approved the opening of two additional camps in Qadarif state on Tuesday to house fleeing refugees from the war in the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia.

The Sudanese News Agency (SUNA) quoted the head of the Refugee Housing Emergency Service in Qadarif, Al-Fateh Al-Muqaddam, as saying "the opening of the two camps comes as part of the refugee commission after the recent repercussions in Ethiopia."

Israel MK Abbas refuses to meet the Palestinian president

10 Nov 2021; MEMO: Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas has been trying for months to meet Israeli-Arab MK Mansour Abbas, Israeli media revealed yesterday.

According to Israel's Channel 12 news, Mansour Abbas, who has joined Israel's government coalition, said that there was no time for "controversy" and has refused to meet with the Palestinian president.

Satellite signals suggest Vietnam ship seized by Iran freed

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Satellite tracking data and other signals on Wednesday suggested a Vietnamese oil tanker earlier seized by Iran had been freed by the Islamic Republic, ending the latest maritime confrontation involving Tehran amid stalled negotiations over its tattered nuclear deal with world powers.

Egypt, Israel Amend Security Agreement, Allow More Egyptian Troops Along Borders

CAIRO, Nov 9 (NNN-MENA) – The Egyptian army announced yesterday, the amendment of the security agreement with Israel, allowing for more Egyptian border guards along the border area in Rafah city, north-east of Cairo.

A joint military committee succeeded, during a coordination meeting, in amending the security agreement by increasing the number of border guards and their capabilities in the border area, the Egyptian army said in a statement.

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