Middle East & North Africa

DUBAI, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Non-Muslims will be allowed to marry, divorce and get joint child custody under civil law in Abu Dhabi according to a new decree issued on Sunday by its ruler, state news agency WAM said.

It is the latest step in the United Arab Emirates -- where personal status laws on marriage and divorce had been based on Islamic sharia principles, as in other Gulf states -- to maintain its competitive edge as a regional commercial hub.

KHARTOUM, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Sudanese pro-democracy groups launched two days of civil disobedience and strikes on Sunday in protest at last month's military coup, though participation appeared to be limited by continuing interruptions to internet and phone connections.

Local "resistance committees" and the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which led demonstrations in the uprising that toppled then-president Omar al-Bashir in April 2019, are organising a campaign of protests to try to reverse the military takeover.

TRIPOLI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Presidency Council of Libya on Saturday suspended Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush and temporarily banned her from travelling over mismanagement allegation, but the decision was rejected by the government.

Najla Mangoush "shall be temporarily suspended for investigation into reported mismanagement, mainly monopoly of foreign policy without prior coordination with the Presidency Council," the council said in a statement.

She was also banned temporarily from travelling pending the results of the investigation.

CAIRO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi made a phone call on Sunday to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to check on him following "the heinous assassination attempt" that targeted the Iraqi official earlier in the day, said the Egyptian presidency.

During the phone conversation, Sisi wished al-Kadhimi and all the Iraqi people "security, stability and peace."

For his part, the Iraqi prime minister appreciated the kind gesture, "which reflects the strength of historical relations between both countries."

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Palestinians on Sunday slammed Israel for rejecting the promised reopening of the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem, a move that would restore Washington’s main diplomatic mission for the Palestinians in the contested city.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said late Saturday there was no room in Jerusalem for another American mission.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Troops deployed around Baghdad on Sunday following the failed assassination attempt with armed drones that targeted the residence of Iraq’s prime minister. The attack significantly ramped up tensions sparked by the refusal of Iran-backed militias to accept last month’s parliamentary election results.

07 Nov 2021; MEMO: Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi has survived an assassination attempt after an armed drone targeted his home in Baghdad in the early hours this morning.

Kadhimi was unharmed however seven of his security guards were injured according to two officials who spoke to AP. Iraqi intelligence have launched an investigation into the attack, no group has claimed responsibility.

06 Nov 2021; MEMO: Dismissed Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam Al-Mahdi called on Friday to refer the "crime" of the military coup carried out by army chief Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

06 Nov 2021; MEMO: The foreign ministers of Russia and Iran discussed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, in a phone call today, Anadolu reports.

A statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry said Sergey Lavrov and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian voiced their expectations from Vienna talks aimed at reviving the nuclear deal, which are resuming on Nov. 29.

07 Nov 2021; MEMO: The Libyan government on Sunday rejected the Presidential Council's decision to suspend Foreign Minister Najla el-Mangoush.

The Council of Ministers said that decision is not within the authority of the Presidential Council.