26/11 Happened When Solution to Kashmir Issue Was In Sight: Imran
New Age Islam News Bureau
8
Dec 2013
A man looks at a damaged vehicle after a car bomb attack at Bayaa district in Baghdad December 8, 2013.
Pakistan
• 26/11 Happened When Solution to Kashmir Issue Was In Sight: Imran
• Karachi operation: 15,653 kgs of explosives recovered, police claim
• Iranian stall at book fair closed after Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat protest
• Blasphemy: Man accused of preaching Ahmedi beliefs denied bail
• India, Pakistan keen to start new trade regime: Lahore Industry Body
• Saudi beheads Pakistani drug trafficker
• Imran promises barrier-free Delhi-Lahore drive
South Asia
• Death warrant for war criminal Jamaat-e-Islami’s Molla issued by ICT
• Afghan defense minister tells Hagel security pact will be signed
• HRCM launches investigation into allegations of police brutality against minors
• BNP asks public servants not to serve ‘illegal’ orders
• Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh calls hartal for tomorrow
Europe
• Nearly 400 killed in last three days in C. Africa - France
• UK trains Libyan army in fight against al-Qaida and warlords
• Britain making progress on recovery of stolen Egyptian assets: UK official
Arab World
• Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Slams Advocates of Free Mixing Of Sexes
• Bombings kill 30 in and around Iraqi capital
• Syrian air strikes 'kill at least 12' in rebel-held city of Raqqa
• Iraqi FM warns of Jihadi 'emirate' in Syria
• Al Qaeda jihadists occupy headquarters, arsenal of Free Syrian Army
Africa
• We Nigerians are celebrating Mandela as the kind of hero we've never had
• Huge African troop surge to tackle CAR fighting
• More than 10 killed in militia battles in northern Kenya
India
• Tagged as victims but accused of rioting, they get relief after 14 yrs
• Support land agreement with Bangladesh: Gogoi
Southeast Asia
• Umno leaders don’t give a toss about ordinary Malaysians, says Nurul Izzah
• The 7 threats against Muslims in Malaysia, according to Perkasa’s Zulkifli Noordin
• Online support for sexual abuse victims of Indonesia
• Manila signs ‘power-sharing’ accord with Muslim group
Mideast
• Anti-Muslim insults daubed on mosque walls in northern Israel
• Al Qaeda thrives in Yemen amid weak security, stalled dialogue
• Mideast turmoil, union proposal top Gulf summit agenda
• Israel holds 35 sick Palestinian prisoners
North America
• US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel backs NATO force in Afghanistan post-2014
• Israel faces two existential threats, Kerry warns
• Barack Obama defends nuclear deal as best way to stop Iran getting the bomb
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/26-11-happened-when-solution/d/34767
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Pakistan
26/11 happened when solution to Kashmir issue was in sight: Imran
Dec 8, 2013
Mentioning how India and Pakistan had come extremely close to finding a solution to the long-standing Kashmir issue in 2008, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan on Saturday said it was unfortunate that the Mumbai attacks took place just then and the peace process got pushed back.
Talking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Mr. Khan said he was told by his party vice-chairman and former Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Ahmad Qureshi that just before the Mumbai attack “the back channel contacts had moved very far, the two sides had moved very close to some sort of a solution, neither side wanted to reveal until the full package was finalised as it could have been sabotaged, but then unfortunately Mumbai happened.”
Stating that India and Pakistan need to move forward on the Kashmir issue, Mr. Khan said: “The solution should not be publicly debated as there would be too much vested interest that would tear it apart.”
On the recent war cries over Kashmir, the cricketer-turned-politician scoffed at the idea and said even Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could not have said so. “There can be no solution through military or through militancy, two nuclear countries do not think of war. The only solution is through talks and as far as I know we came pretty close.”
Before Mumbai, he said: “I saw more improvement in five years than in five decades.” But now, Mr. Khan said, for there to be a solution wanted to “see a new government come into India” and a strong one at that.
“BJP did more to improve ties”
Asked if BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was a cause of worry for Pakistan, he said: “We were all worried when the BJP came for the first time, but when they came to power they did more to improve the relations. All I want is a strong leadership, so that there is the ability to take strong decisions. Unfortunately we did not have that — either on one side or the other.”
Calling for a strong relationship with India, he said it was only when the two countries have a good relationship that they would treat each other’s terrorists as criminals.
On whether he believed in handing over wanted terrorists Hafiz Saeed and Dawood Ibrahim to India, Mr. Khan said he and every Pakistani felt that anyone involved in the Mumbai attacks should be brought to justice. “The problem is that if you do not go through the courts of law, you end up making them martyrs and exacerbate the problem by spawning more terrorists.” In the same vein, he added: “Pakistan is now going through the worst phase of terrorism. There are 14-15 big and 40-50 smaller groups constituting the Taliban now as against just one till 2006. If you take any step where you make them a martyr, then in eliminating just one terrorist you will spawn many more.”
The stronger Pakistan grew the more chance it had of clamping down on non-state actors, the PTI leader said. “The weaker the state gets, if it can’t protect itself, how will it protect you?”
Asked how infiltration of terrorists into India could be curbed, he said: “In the province we are governing right now, 30 cops are killed every month. So how can we give you the guarantee that yes we will stop all sorts of terrorism into India?” But once the 150,000 Pakistan soldiers stuck in North West are released and the militias are disarmed, Pakistan would be able to take responsibility for anything happening from its soil, Mr. Khan said.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/2611-happened-when-solution-to-kashmir-issue-was-in-sight-imran/article5434149.ece
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Karachi operation: 15,653 kgs of explosives recovered, police claim
December 8, 2013
KARACHI: A performance report of the city police for the past three months indicated that as many as 9, 944 alleged criminals were arrested with a staggering 15, 653 kgs of explosive material recovered during raids in Karachi.
Inspector General of Sindh Police Shahid Nadeem Baloch submitted the report, which charts data from September 5 to December 6, 2013.
The close to 10,000 suspects arrested include 269 wanted criminals, 3,056 absconders, 40 kidnappers, 61 extortionists and 102 terrorists.
Various types and amounts of ammunition were also recovered by the Karachi police.
The report said that the police of East, West and South zones made special security arrangements and took action against criminals through prompt sharing and collection of intelligence reports.
The total number of police raids conducted during the period is 4,849, with 546 police encounters in which 89 dacoits were killed.
The IG Sindh was told that two suicide vests, five rocket launchers; 156 rockets; 84 shotguns; 56 rifles; 70 Kalashnikovs; three LMGs; 2, 445 pistols; 17 kilogrammes heroin were also seized from the accused.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/642833/karachi-operation-15653-kgs-of-explosives-recovered-police-claim/
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Iranian stall at book fair closed after Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat protest
2013-12-08
KARACHI, Dec 7: A stall set up by the Iranian consulate at the Karachi International Book Fair in the Expo Centre has been closed after a religious organisation held a protest against the display of what it alleged controversial books.
The Iranian consulate rejected the allegation.
Activists of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat staged the demonstration outside the Expo Centre in protest against the display of “sectarian” books at the stall.
The protest continued for a considerable time and ended only after police removed those books from the stall, police and ASWJ officials said.
An ASWJ spokesman accused the Iranian consulate of selling controversial books at the fair and said they had submitted an application to the Aziz Bhatti police station for action into the matter.
Rejecting the ASWJ’s allegation, the consulate said in a statement that Iran had always raised voice for the unity of Muslims and “wrong statements of those organisations which are themselves illegal and involved in fuelling sectarianism and sectarian strife among Muslims can never be the standard of measurement of a reality”.
It said that noble people of Pakistan had rich Islamic culture and negative statements of “followers of a deviant ideology” could not affect friendship between Iran and Pakistan.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1061229/iranian-stall-at-book-fair-closed-after-aswj-protest/print
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Blasphemy: Man accused of preaching Ahmedi beliefs denied bail
December 8, 2013
LAHORE: A judicial magistrate on Saturday dismissed the post-arrest bail application of a doctor accused of preaching Ahmedi doctrines and distributing books containing derogatory remarks against prophets.
Dr Masood Ahmed had filed a post-arrest bail stating he had nothing to do with the matter.
Advocate Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, counsel for the complainant, said his client could produce audiovisual evidence to prove his allegations against Dr Ahmed.
Chaudhry said the respondent had preached Ahmedi doctrine to his client and given him books that blasphemed against prophets.
The magistrate observed that Dr Ahmed had been nominated in the FIR with a specific role. The witnesses’ statements also supported the prosecution’s case, he said. The books in question had been seized by the police. Prima facie, sufficient evidence was available to connect Dr Ahmed with the offence, he said and dismissed the application.
Maulana Muhammad Ehsan had filed a complaint against Ahmed with the Old Anarkali police. According to the FIR registered under Section 298-C, Ehsan had visited Dr Ahmed’s clinic with a few friends.
Ehsan said Dr Ahmed preached the Ahmedi doctrine to them and gave them some books that contained derogatory comments about certain prophets. Ehsan said he had audiovisual evidence to support his claims. He and his friends had called police who arrested Dr Ahmed and seized the books.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/642632/blasphemy-man-accused-of-preaching-ahmedi-beliefs-denied-bail/
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India, Pakistan keen to start new trade regime:Lahore Industry Body
Dec 07 2013
Amritsar: India and Pakistan are keen to start new trade regime and minimize non-tariff barriers, President, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sohail Lashari, said on Saturday.
Lashari, who was leading a trade delegation from Pakistan, was addressing an interactive B2B meet between the Chambers of India and Chambers of Pakistan, organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Amrirtsar on Saturday as part of the ongoing 7th edition of Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX-2013).
He said the objective of bringing the delegation was to explore new trade avenues between India and Pakistan and see them as routine international trade partners, PHD Chamber said in a release.
"We appreciate and acknowledge the warm response from the industry and trading community in Pakistan," said Rajiv Bali, Chairman, Punjab Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Naeem Anwar, Minister (Trade), High Commission of Pakistan, appreciated the efforts made by PHD Chamber to foster bilateral ties and mentioned that visits by delegations help multiply these efforts.
"The kind of growth seen in bilateral trade in the last 4 to 5 years could not happen in the last 60 years, said Anwar.
He said the growth is on the back of the new visa policy for businessmen by virtue of which they are able to get multiple visas for up to 10 cities.
The Pak Minister Trade suggested making concerted efforts to allow investment from Pakistan in India and vice-versa.
Three reasons, said Anwar restrict trade between India and Pakistan - restrictions on the movement of businessmen, which could be eased through liberalized visa regime; delays in customs clearance, which could be resolved by keeping a positive mindset towards each other; and lack of product and sector specific approach, which was necessary to boost the trade volume, he pointed out.
Leader of the Gujranwala delegation Sheikh Rauf, said: "People to people contacts between India and Pakistan should be encouraged at all levels and visa restrictions should be relaxed to ease the movement of the trading community."
The delegation included representation from textiles, fabrics, gems and jewellery, commercial banking, services sector, among others.
Many important issues including the need for a better mobile connectivity to improve communication for business and trade, opening up of banks in each other's countries, availability of information about standards/certification requirements and formalities for opening offices and trading houses in India were discussed.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-pakistan-keen-to-start-new-trade-regimelahore-industry-body/1204689/
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Saudi beheads Pakistani drug trafficker
December 8, 2013
RIYADH: Saudi authorities beheaded a Pakistani man on Sunday after he was convicted of smuggling drugs into the ultra-conservative Gulf state, the interior ministry said.
Mohammed Zayer Khan Qol was arrested as he was “smuggling a large amount of heroin” into the kingdom, said the statement published by the official SPA news agency.
His beheading in the western region of Makkah brings to 73 the number of executions carried out in Saudi Arabia this year, according to an AFP count.
In 2012, the Saudis carried out 76 executions, according to a tally based on official figures. Human Rights Watch put the number at 69.
Rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable by death under the oil-rich nation’s strict version of Sharia, or Islamic law.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/642814/saudi-beheads-pakistani-drug-trafficker-2/
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Imran promises barrier-free Delhi-Lahore drive
Dec 8, 2013
NEW DELHI - Cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan on Saturday said even though Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will try to improve ties with India, he would not be able to go ‘fast’ on the issue due to pressure from fanatical elements, reported PTI.
In an interactive session, he said the future of India and Pakistan should be like that of the European Union, with people being allowed to move freely. He expressed the hope that when his party comes to power, people would be allowed to drive down from Delhi to Lahore without any barriers.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/national/08-Dec-2013/imran-promises-barrier-free-delhi-lahore-drive
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South Asia
Death warrant for war criminal Jamaat-e-Islami’s Molla issued by ICT
Dec 8, 2013
The International Crimes Tribunal has issued the death warrant for war criminal Abdul Quader Molla.
Tribunal Registrar AKM Nasiruddin notified reporters at a press conference, Sunday afternoon.
The warrant has been sent to the district magistrate and Dhaka Central Jail authorities, said the registrar.
Quader Molla was the first to have been sentenced to lifetime imprisonment by the war crimes tribunal in February 5.
Later, the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 was changed in light of widespread protests providing equal scope of appeal for prosecution and defence.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court revised the sentence of Quader Molla to death for his crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
Full report at:
http://www.dhakatribune.com/law-amp-rights/2013/dec/08/molla%E2%80%99s-death-warrant-issued#sthash.yxfZtmbV.dpuf
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Afghan defense minister tells Hagel security pact will be signed
December 8, 2013
KABUL: US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Saturday said he had received assurances during a visit to Kabul that a long-delayed deal allowing US troops to stay in Afghanistan after 2014 would be signed “in a timely manner.”
The Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) has been at the centre of a public dispute between the allies, with the US increasingly frustrated by President Hamid Karzai’s negotiating tactics over the deal.
After meetings in the Afghan capital, Hagel told reporters that Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi “assured me the BSA would be signed in a timely manner.”
Washington and NATO have repeatedly appealed to Karzai to sign the BSA, which lays out the rules for US-led troops to operate in Afghanistan after 2014 on a mission focused on training and countering al Qaeda-linked extremists.
Full report at:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/642651/afghan-defense-minister-tells-hagel-security-pact-will-be-signed/
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HRCM launches investigation into allegations of police brutality against minors
By Mariyath Mohamed | December 8th, 2013
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has begun investigating a case of alleged brutality and torture by police during the arrest of two minors.
“While I can confirm that such an investigation has been launched, we cannot reveal much details yet as the investigation is just in its beginning stages,” HRCM Member Jeehan Mahmoodh told Minivan News today.
Police have responded by saying that they are not aware of the case to which the HRCM is referring.
Jeehan stated that the commission had received the related complaint in the early hours of Thursday, December 5. According to her, the commission has sent an investigation team to meet with the victims within 24 hours of their arrest.
Full report at:
http://minivannews.com/politics/hrcm-launches-investigation-into-allegations-of-police-brutality-during-arrest-of-minors-72954
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BNP asks public servants not to serve ‘illegal’ orders
Dec 8, 2013
Main opposition BNP has urged the government officials to not get involved with the procedures for the “one sided” election and also urged the Election Commission to suspend the schedule. “We urge all government officials to carry out their duties neutrally to serve the people and the country. Do not be used as tools for any person or party’s illegal intentions,” Salahuddin Ahmed, BNP’s joint secretary general, said in a video message. Urging people to get united to force the government to step down, the opposition spokesperson said: “The international community does not want a one-sided election.
Full report at:
http://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2013/dec/07/bnp-asks-public-servants-not-serve-%E2%80%98illegal%E2%80%99-orders#sthash.WFy9ol84.dpuf
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Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh calls hartal for tomorrow
Dec 8, 2013
Jamaat-e-Islami has called a dawn-to-dusk countrywide hartal for tomorrow protesting death warrant against its leader Abdul Quader Mollah.
In a press release this evening, the party termed the death warrant a planned conspiracy to kill political leaders.
The hartal is an addition to a 72-hour countrywide blockade that started from Saturday morning. The BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance in which Jamaat is a key component is enforcing the blockade.jamaat-logo
Earlier in the afternoon, the International Crimes Tribunal-2 issued the death warrant for the Jamaat assistant secretary general who was awarded the capital punishment for his wartime offences.
Full report at:
http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/jamaat-calls-hartal-for-tomorrow/
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Europe
Nearly 400 killed in last three days in C. Africa - France
Dec 8, 2013
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Sunday that nearly 400 people were killed in the last three days in violence in the Central African Republic capital Bangui, but that calm had returned.
"We have counted 394 dead in the last three days. Calm has returned to Bangui even if there are still some abuses here and there," Fabius told France 3 television.
French troops poured into the impoverished landlocked country on Saturday after President Francois Hollande announced he was boosting a UN-mandated French force to 1,600 soldiers.
"There are a certain number of operations under way throughout the country, and operations to disarm Seleka will begin," Fabius said, referring to the mostly Muslim rebel fighters who were behind a coup in March.
Full report at:
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_12_08/Nearly-400-killed-in-last-three-days-in-C-Africa-France-5966/
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UK trains Libyan army in fight against al-Qaida and warlords
Dec 8, 2013
The heat and dust of the 27th Brigade parade ground on Tripoli's southern outskirts is a world away from the mist and cold of Cambridgeshire. Under an unforgiving sun, young Libyan army recruits in buzz-cuts march up and down to barked commands, dark sweat stains spreading across crisp new green uniforms. But next month they will be swapping this heat for the cold and damp of eastern England's Bassingbourn barracks, from where they will return as the speartip of Nato's new military intervention in Libya.
Two years after its bombing campaign spurred the rebels to victory in the Arab spring, Nato is coming back, this time to create an army to fill Libya's security vacuum. Alarm is spreading in western capitals about the country's growing chaos and militia violence, and evidence that al-Qaida is setting up bases in what is rapidly becoming a failed state. Having destroyed most of Libya's army in the 2011 bombing campaign, Britain and the United States are leading an operation to build a new one.
Full report at:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/07/libya-nato-britain-training-army-al-qaida
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Britain making progress on recovery of stolen Egyptian assets: UK official
Dec 8, 2013
British cooperation with Egypt over the recovery of assets stolen by Mubarak regime figures is at its highest level since the January 25 uprising, a well-informed British source has told Ahram Online.
“Priority targets for investigation have been agreed with the Egyptians,” the source said.
Over the last two years, £85 million (more than LE850m) of assets belonging to toppled president Hosni Mubarak, his wife, two sons, their wives and 13 other former Egyptian ministers, businessmen and their wives have been frozen in the UK.
Speaking to Ahram Online, a UK government spokesperson confirmed mutual cooperation on tracing illegal assets had achieved significant progress.
“The UK Asset Recovery Task Force, established by UK Prime Minister David Cameron, has been working for over a year to trace assets stolen from Egypt,” he added.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/88538/Business/Economy/Britain-making-progress-on-recovery-of-stolen-Egyp.aspx
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Arab World
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Slams Advocates of Free Mixing Of Sexes
Dec 8, 2013
RIYADH — The advocates of intermingling between men and women at the workplace want decadence and immoral behavior to spread among Muslims, said Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Alsheikh.
Giving his Friday sermon at Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, he said such mixing poses a great danger to society and women in particular.
The Grand Mufti also stressed the importance of not taking divorce lightly, warning men against making hastened decisions in issuing concerning their family life.
He said that women can lead their husbands to divorcing them when they do not adhere to rules of modesty and that men must help their wives, protect their rights and be patient with them.
“Islam has taught men not to focus on their wives’ follies and to forgive their mistakes. They must look at their wives’ virtues and positive attitudes,” the mufti said.
Al-Alsheikh reminded men with more than one wife the importance of being just and fair with all of them.
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20131208188889
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Bombings kill 30 in and around Iraqi capital
PTI | Dec 8, 2013
BAGHDAD: At least eight explosions tore through predominantly Shia Muslim areas in and around Baghdad on Sunday, hitting crowded market places, commercial districts and even a car repair shop in a string of bombings that killed at least 30 people, officials said.
The attacks are part of a wave of violence that has washed across Iraq since a deadly security crackdown on a Sunni protest camp in April.
Since then, the bloodshed in the country has reached heights unseen since the country teetered on the brink of civil war in 2006 and 2007.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for today's attacks, but insurgent groups frequently target civilians in markets, cafes and commercial streets in Shia areas in an attempt to undermine confidence in the Shia-led government and stir up Iraq's already simmering sectarian tensions.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Bombings-kill-30-in-and-around-Iraqi-capital/articleshow/27090981.cms
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Syrian air strikes 'kill at least 12' in rebel-held city of Raqqa
Dec 8, 2013
Syrian government aircraft on Saturday bombed a rebel-held city in the country's north-east, killing at least 12 people including five children, according to reports.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the air raids – seven strikes in total – hit city of Raqqa in the early afternoon. Four women were among the dead and dozens of people were wounded.
Rebels captured Raqqa, the capital of the province of the same name, in March. It is the only major town to fall entirely under opposition control since the Syrian conflict began in March 2011.
Full report at:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/07/syrian-air-strikes-city-raqqa
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Iraqi FM warns of jihadi 'emirate' in Syria
Dec 8, 2013
Iraq's top diplomat warned Saturday that the "toxic" proliferation of extremist groups among Syria's rebels raises the prospect of a jihadist-ruled territory at the heart of the region.
The comments by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari reflect Iraq's fears that the Syrian conflict is imperiling its fragile domestic security, as well as growing international alarm about the risk posed by waves of foreign fighters bolstering the ranks of armed groups fighting to Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Zebari told attendees at a security conference in small Gulf island kingdom of Bahrain that the increase in radical fighters among the Syrian rebels is leading toward the creation of an ungovernable "Islamic emirate" that the world will have to deal with down the road.
"The most important danger coming out of the Syria conflict for Iraq ... and for the region is the mushrooming of terrorist groups and fronts in Syria," Zebari said.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/88514/World/Region/Iraqi-FM-warns-of-jihadi-emirate-in-Syria.aspx
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Al Qaeda jihadists occupy headquarters, arsenal of Free Syrian Army
Dec 8, 2013
Clashes are continuing between al-Qaeda-linked jihadists and supporters of the so-called Free Syrian Army in Syria's north. Although both groups are opposed to the incumbent president Bashar al-Assad, they are also fighting between each other for spheres of influence.
According to reports, on Saturday, Islamists occupied the headquarters and an arsenal of the Free Syrian Army at a place called Bab al-Hawa at the border with Turkey.
After five people from both sides were killed in the shooting, the surviving members of the Free Syrian Army run away.
One day before this incident, the so-called “provisional government” of the National Coalition of opposition groups in Syria claimed that there are no contradictions between the Free Syrian Army and Islamist groups in Syria.
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_12_08/Al-Qaeda-jihadists-occupy-headquarters-arsenal-of-Free-Syrian-Army-4701/
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Africa
We Nigerians are celebrating Mandela as the kind of of hero we've never had
Dec 8, 2013
In so many ways, Nelson Mandela is a bellwether of the Nigerian condition. His passing has unleashed our army of praise singers and professional mourners; our social media is in full wake-keeping mode; the president has declared three days of mourning. "The soul of Africa has departed," eulogised our Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.
The passing of an old man in Africa is not a time for mourning but a moment for reflection and communal celebration. For us, the death of a patriarch is a transition to the pantheon of ancestors who watch over us. All that is required of the living is to recount his blessings, give the old man a vote of thanks and a befitting burial.
Full report at:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/08/ken-wiwa-on-nigeria-response-to-mandela
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Huge African troop surge to tackle CAR fighting
Dec 8, 2013
The African Union is to increase significantly the number of troops it plans to send to the Central African Republic to help end communal fighting.
The size of the AU force will rise to 6,000, France said as it moved to boost its own freshly deployed troop contingent to 1,600.
At least 394 people have died in three days of fighting in the capital Bangui alone, the Red Cross says.
The CAR has been in turmoil since the president was ousted in March.
France has been sending in more troops as part of a UN-backed operation to keep peace between the Christian and Muslim communities.
Full report at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25286068
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More than 10 killed in militia battles in northern Kenya
Dec 8, 2013
More than 10 people were killed on Saturday in fighting in the town of Moyale in northern Kenya where troops have been sent to stop a week of fighting between rival ethnic groups that has sent thousands fleeing into Ethiopia, residents said.
Rural communities in northern Kenya have long clashed over the control of valuable grazing land, but the fighting in the town of Moyale has marked an escalation in tension.
Residents say politicians in the region, some 800 km (500 miles) from the capital Nairobi, are using clan militia to jostle for power in new local administrations that have been formed since a March 4 election, and to settle old scores.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/9/88512/World/International/More-than--killed-in-militia-battles-in-northern-K.aspx
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India
Tagged as victims but accused of rioting, they get relief after 14 yrs
Dec 07 2013
Mumbai : Fourteen years after over 120 Muslims were “ruthlessly battered and one killed in police excesses”, as observed by retired Justice A D Mane in his report, and the victims themselves were named as accused for rioting and vandalising public property, the state government has finally withdrawn the case against them.
The incident dates back to December 6, 1999. The Muslim Action Committee (MAC) had organised a symbolic protest rally to mark the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. Over 8,000 protesters marched from Shahganj area to Vikram Stadium in Aurangabad, when they reportedly faced police action.
Full report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/1204429/
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Support land agreement with Bangladesh: Gogoi
Dec 8, 2013
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday appealed to all political parties to extend their cooperation to ensure ratification of the land swap agreement between India and Bangladesh, during the current session of Parliament.
In a statement issued here, he said: “The land swap agreement will help solve the long-pending boundary issues with Bangladesh once and for all. It will also lead to increase in volume of trade and commerce.”
The Chief Minister alleged that the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had been opposing the ratification without going into the facts. They had been creating a hullabaloo with an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Full report at:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/support-land-agreement-with-bangladesh-gogoi/article5434105.ece
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Southeast Asia
Umno leaders don’t give a toss about ordinary Malaysians, says Nurul Izzah
Dec 8, 2013
Umno leaders and members are living in a comfort zone without a care for the current issues affecting Malaysians, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Nurul Izzah Anwar (pic) today.
The PKR vice-president expressed dismay that issues like declining education standards, rising cost of living or threats to the nation’s security and sovereignty were never brought up or discussed at the recently concluded Umno general assembly.
Nurul, who is also the Lembah Pantai MP, said Umno was only interested in consolidating its grip on Putrajaya and introducing economic policies in various guises which only benefited the elite in Umno.
Full report at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/umno-leaders-dont-give-a-toss-about-ordinary-malaysians-says-nurul-izzah
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The 7 threats against Muslims in Malaysia, according to Perkasa’s Zulkifli Noordin
Dec 8, 2013
Perkasa today highlighted seven threats to the survival of Malay-Islam in Malaysia and warned Putrajaya that the 14th general election may turn out to be a "Christianisation Tsunami" if the threats are not dealt with seriously.
The vice-president of the Malay rights group, Datuk Zulkifli Noordin, said the threats included Pakatan Rakyat, Singapore, non-government organisations (NGOs) and liberal Malays.
He pointed out that the move by Christians to drag the Allah issue to court was provocative and one which insulted Muslims.
"Their failure in the appellate court did not deter them as they attempted to drag it into the international arena using the United Nations.
Full report at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/the-7-threats-against-muslims-in-malaysia-according-to-perkasas-zulkifli-no
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Online support for sexual abuse victims of Indonesia
Dec 8, 2013
The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the Jakarta administration launched a website on Friday to reach out to sexual abuse victims.
“A reliable system to respond to sexual abuse cases is long overdue. At least 35 women are subjected to sexual abuse every day, or three women every two hours,” Komnas Perempuan chairwoman Yuniyanti Chuzaifah said during her speech at City Hall.
The website, kekerasanseksual.komnasperempuan.or.id, was integrated with the police and the Integrated Service Center for the Twitter account of the Empowerment of Women and Children (P2PT2A).
Full report at:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/12/07/online-support-sexual-abuse-victims.html
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Manila signs ‘power-sharing’ accord with Muslim group
8 December 2013
MANILA: The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Sunday signed a crucial power-sharing accord, paving the way for a final peace agreement, government statements said.
The accord, signed by negotiators from the government and the MILF in Kuala Lumpur, is another step toward finally ending a decades-long fighting between government troops and Muslim groups in the south that claimed an estimated 150,000 lives.
“The signing of the Annex on Power Sharing ensures the achievement of a genuine and viable autonomy for the Bangsamoro (Filipino Muslims),” Teresita Deles, the head of the government peace panel, said in a statement.
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/news/489401
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Mideast
Anti-Muslim insults daubed on mosque walls in northern Israel
Dec 8, 2013
Anti-Muslim insults were found on the walls of a mosque in northern Israel on Sunday, a police spokeswoman said.
"Insults against Islam... were found on Sunday morning on the walls of a mosque in Baqa al-Gharbiyeh," she said.
The spokeswoman also said several nearby cars had their windscreens smashed and an inquiry was launched to determine if the cases were connected.
Israel and the West Bank have seen a wave of "price tag" attacks, a euphemism for hate crimes by Jewish extremists which often involve vandalism and in some cases physical injury.
Such attacks initially targeted Palestinians in retaliation for state moves to dismantle unauthorised settlement outposts in the West Bank, but later became a standard response after any anti-Israeli violence.
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_12_08/Anti-Muslim-insults-daubed-on-mosque-walls-in-northern-Israel-5623/
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Al Qaeda thrives in Yemen amid weak security, stalled dialogue
Dec 8, 2013
Brazen al Qaeda attacks on top government targets in Yemen are unlikely to abate while security services remain divided, ill-equipped and infiltrated by militants, and efforts to repair the country's fractured political life remain stalled.
An al Qaeda-affiliated group attacked the defence ministry in Sanaa on Thursday, killing 56 people, in a harsh reminder that extremist groups are able to operate in heavily secured areas of the capital despite a security crackdown.
It was the worst such attack in 18 months, heightening concerns about threats emanating from a country that flanks international shipping lanes and shares a long border with the world's top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/88571/World/Region/Al-Qaeda-thrives-in-Yemen-amid-weak-security,-stal.aspx
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Mideast turmoil, union proposal top Gulf summit agenda
Dec 8, 2013
Gulf Arab states will hold a summit this week to discuss a controversial proposal to form an EU-like union at a time of regional turmoil and fresh Iranian overtures.
Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich monarchies, already rattled by the turmoil unleashed by the 2011 Arab Spring, fear a landmark nuclear agreement reached last month could herald a wider rapprochement between the West and their regional rival Iran.
But a proposal to develop the Gulf Cooperation Council into a fully-fledged union has proven divisive, with Oman threatening to leave the GCC if the idea is approved. The group also includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
"The summit is held amid extremely sensitive and delicate situations that require member states to study the consequences for the GCC," Secretary General Abdullatif al-Zayani said ahead of the two-day summit, which opens Tuesday in Kuwait.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/88566/World/Region/Mideast-turmoil,-union-proposal-top-Gulf-summit-ag.aspx
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Israel holds 35 sick Palestinian prisoners
Dec 8, 2013
RAMALLAH – A Palestinian organization on Saturday revealed that Israel is holding 35 sick Palestinians in Ishel prison in southern Israeli city of Be’er Sheva.
The Palestinian Prisoners Club (Nadi Al-Asir) said that the prisoners need special medical care that the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) refuses to extend. The organization said that the prisoners are suffering from cancer, paralysis, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney, gallbladder and eyes problems. The club said that the Palestinian prisoners are in urgent need of medical treatment at hospital and yet receive little more than basic pain relievers that the IPS extends to them.
Full report at:
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20131208188864
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North America
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel backs NATO force in Afghanistan post-2014
Dec 8, 2013
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told American troops on Sunday that he backed a NATO force playing a role in Afghanistan after 2014, as Washington and President Hamid Karzai wrangle over a stalled security pact. Hagel travelled to the southern province of Helmand to meet troops a day after further tensions over the security pact that would allow NATO forces to stay in the country after next year.
"I believe there is a role for our coalition partners and the United States, but that depends on the Afghan people," Hagel told US soldiers in a question-and-answer session.
"If the people of Afghanistan want to continue that relationship, then we will."US commanders were looking at "a new phase for our mission to train, assist, advise and counter-terrorism," he said.
Full report at:
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_12_08/US-Defense-Secretary-Chuck-Hagel-backs-NATO-force-in-Afghanistan-post-2014-5066/
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Israel faces two existential threats, Kerry warns
Dec 8, 2013
WASHINGTON -- The United States has proposed to the Israeli government a security plan for new borders with a future Palestinian state that games out an exhaustive list of possible threats, US Secretary of State John Kerry told the Brookings Institution's Saban Forum on Saturday.
Overseen by US retired general John Allen, the plan "guarantees" that the Jordan River will remain secure for years after any deal is signed, Kerry said.
"We approach this challenge believing that Israel has to be strong to make peace," Kerry said, "but that peace will make Israel stronger."
In a passionate speech, Kerry spoke to a crowd that included the top echelons of the Israeli and American diplomatic corps. US special envoy to the Middle East Martin Indyk and his team were in the audience, as well as Israel's ambassador to the US Ron Dermer, his staff and his predecessor, Michael Oren; former prime minister Ehud Olmert; Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, among others.
Full report at:
http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Israel-faces-two-existential-threats-Kerry-warns-334283
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Barack Obama defends nuclear deal as best way to stop Iran getting the bomb
Dec 8, 2013
President Barack Obama said on Saturday that the recent nuclear deal with Iran was the best strategy for preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. On the same day a spokesman for Iran's atomic energy agency said it was moving ahead with testing more efficient uranium enrichment technology.
Appearing in Washington at the Saban Forum, an event hosted by a a major political donor, Obama said the deal prevented Iran from advancing its nuclear programme for six months. He said that over that time, the world will test Iran to see if the crisis can be resolved diplomatically.
Full report at:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/07/barack-obama-iran-nuclear-deal-israel
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/26-11-happened-when-solution/d/34767