Instead Of Cracking down On Cannabis and Opium Taliban May Legalize ‘Cannabis Processing’ To Boost Afghanistan’s Economy
New Age Islam News Bureau
25 November 2021
A boss has said he has 'no idea' how his firm ended up
being in a Taliban announcement about a drug trade deal (Image: AFP via Getty
Images)
-----
• Uzbek Police Reportedly Force Muslim Men to Shave
Beards in the Tashkent Capital Region
• YPG/PKK Terror Group Continues To Forcibly Recruit
Children in Northeastern Syria
• Rights Group Raises Alarm Over Threat to Freedom of
Expression in Pakistan
• Libya Election Head Rules Out Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi
as Presidential Candidate
South Asia
• Media Outlets in Afghanistan Closed Due To Financial
Challenges and Restrictions on Press since Taliban Takeover
• Taliban believe current govt in Afghanistan is
inclusive: Spokesperson
• Taliban welcome Indian aid as Pakistan conveys
decision to India
• UAE holds talks with Taliban to run Kabul airport
--------
Europe
• Manchester Arena bombing inquiry told Didsbury
Mosque imam received death threats
• EU condemns execution of juvenile offender in Iran
• Turkey, UK to negotiate landmark free trade deal to
include more sectors
--------
Arab World
• Rights watchdog demands probe into France's role in
airstrikes on civilians in Egypt
• Lebanon central bank governor told to hand over data
for forensic audit: Presidency
• Iran chief negotiator meets senior officials in UAE:
WAM
• Turkey, UAE to sign accords on energy, technology at
talks: Officials
• Turkey is a ‘great natural partner,’ says UAE
minister
• Arab coalition bombs drone sites in Yemen’s Sanaa:
Report
• UAE Establishes $10 Bln Fund to Support Investments
in Turkey
--------
Pakistan
• Taliban Govt Signs Deal With Australian Firm for
Cannabis Centre
• World Realizing Islam as Religion Of Peace Despite
Propaganda: FM
• ‘Pakistan Promoting Interfaith Harmony to Ensure
World Peace’, Says Pakistan’s President
• Religious Dialogue Vital To Save World from Hunger,
Poverty: Qureshi
--------
Africa
• Moroccan, Israeli Ministers Sign Defence MOU In
Rabat: Spokesperson
• Sudanese prime minister says deal with military
allows return to democracy
• Failure to hold Libya's Dec. 24 elections could lead
to more conflict: UN
• Al-Shabab blast by school in Somali capital kills at
least 5
--------
India
• Vice President AIMPLB: All Sections of the Society
Should Come Together To Fight Sectarianism
• Taliban Look to ‘Balance’ Ties with India, Pakistan
• NIA raids multiple locations in J&K in terrorism
conspiracy case
• 144 terrorists killed, 2 civilians died in
cross-firing this year: IGP Kashmir
• 3 terrorists killed in Srinagar shootout
• 86% of terrorists killed in J&K this year were
local residents: Sources
• Tripura violence: 4 Muslim clerics booked under UAPA
granted bail
--------
Southeast Asia
• Malaysia Bans Israelis from World Squash Event
• PM Ismail Sabri preaches importance of
evidence-based policies to drive Malaysia’s economy
• MCA’S Kelebang rep says up to party leadership to
decide his position in Melaka govt
• Johor govt ramps up effort to register disabled
people in state for welfare aid
--------
Mideast
• Israel Aerospace Eyes 25 Percent Share Sale and More
UAE Deals
• Iran Says OIC Has Great Capacity for Helping Achieve
Islamic Unity
• Defend Al-Aqsa Mosque, says Head of High Islamic
Commission in Jerusalem
• Iran: US Must Lift All Unlawful Sanctions before
Returning to JCPOA
• IAEA chief says he ‘could not agree’ in talks with
Iran
• Spokesman: Iran, IAEA Reach General Agreement on
Pursuing Issues of Mutual Interest
--------
North America
• US Will Not ‘Sit Idly’ If Iran Drags Out Nuclear
Talks: Rob Malley
• US amends Syria sanctions rules to allow NGOs engage
in transactions, activities
• Top US military general for Middle East warns Iran
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/taliban-afghanistan-economy-cannabis/d/125840
------
Instead Of Cracking down On Cannabis and Opium Taliban
May Legalize ‘Cannabis Processing’ To Boost Afghanistan’s Economy
A boss has said he has 'no idea' how his firm ended up
being in a Taliban announcement about a drug trade deal (Image: AFP via Getty
Images)
-----
25 Nov 2021
The Taliban have signed a deal with Australia’s Cpharm
Company that is willing to invest $450,000,000.00 in the cannabis processing
industry in Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesperson tweeted.
Qari Saeed Khosty, the spokesperson for the Interior
Ministry has said that the deal has been finalized and its work may start
within days.
The company will use process cannabis for medical
purposes and will be provided with thousands of acres of land of cannabis,
Khosty said.
The cannabis production and processing will be legally
contracted with Cpharm, he added.
But, on the other hand, Cpharma, an Australian medical
consulting firm rejects any kind of involvement in the cannabis deal with the
Taliban, the company said in a press release.
We have become aware overnight of numerous media
articles stating that Cpharm in Australia has been involved in a deal with the
Taliban to be involved in the supply of cannabis in a cream. We have been contacted today by numerous
media outlets around the world regarding this. Cpharma said in a statement.
The company further added that they do not manufacture
or supply anything.
We provide a medical advice service to the pharmaceutical
industry within Australia. We have no products on the ARTG. We have no
connection with cannabis or the Taliban. We have no idea where the Taliban
media release has come from and want to assure everyone that it should not be
connected to Cpharm Pty Ltd Australia. The company added in a media advisory
statement.
This comes as the Taliban had earlier committed to
crack down on cannabis and opium processing in Afghanistan and will not allow
formers to get engaged in the drug production business.
Afghanistan is currently going through an economic and
humanitarian crisis with over 95% population below the poverty line for months
now and this is the first initiative announced by the Taliban, however, it was
widely criticized by the Afghan social media users.
The Taliban took power in Afghanistan by force on
August 15, 2021, despite the international partners’ urges to return to power
through a political settlement which was negotiated for months in Doha, Qatar
with the delegation both from the Taliban and the Afghan government sides.
The International community has said they will not
recognize the Taliban government until an inclusive government with the
inclusion of women and other ethnicities and religious groups is not formed in
Afghanistan.
On the other hand, the United States and Taliban are
going to resume talks in the coming week in Doha, Qatar with a focus on
counterterrorism operations against ISIS-K and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
Source: Khaama Press
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
--------
Uzbek Police Reportedly Force Muslim Men to Shave
Beards in the Tashkent Capital Region
Men who spoke with RFE/RL said police in Yangiyul were
forcing practicing Muslims to shave their beards.
----
November 25, 2021
TASHKENT -- Uzbek police in the Tashkent capital
region have forced dozens of practicing Muslims to shave off their beards, a
practice in the Central Asian nation that has been criticized by domestic and
international rights organization for years.
RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service reported on November 24 that in
recent weeks police in the city of Yangiyul, located 20 kilometres from
Tashkent, have summoned men and forced them to shave their beards.
A local activist, speaking on condition of anonymity,
said that 22 men had their beards shaved in Yangiyul alone over the past month.
"Only religious men are forced to shave their
beards,” he said, adding that the practice appears “systematic.”
Men who spoke with RFE/RL said police don’t target
those who grow a beard for fashion, but only practicing Muslims.
"The police say that we supposedly look like
terrorists," said one resident of Yangiyul. “We grow beards as this is
considered in line with the traditions and practices of the Prophet Mohammad.
They violate our rights.”
A local police official denied authorities are forcing
men to shave their beards.
There have been frequent reports in recent years of
police targeting men with long beards in Uzbekistan, in what is considered an
effort to combat radical Islam in Central Asia's most-populous nation.
In May, a video circulated on the Internet allegedly
showing a police official in the eastern city of Namangan instructing his
subordinates to single out men with beards and force them to shave while
documenting the process, taking the men's pictures before and after shaving. In
June, police in Uzbekistan's eastern city of Angren reportedly forced dozens of
practicing Muslims to shave off their beards.
Authorities have rejected the reports, saying that in
some cases citizens were asked to shave off their beards in order to have the
appearance that corresponds to their pictures in identification documents.
In December 2020, the U.S. Department of State removed
Uzbekistan from the special observation list for violations of religious
freedom, on which the country had been since 2018, saying the government no
longer engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom.”
Source: RFERL
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-islam-beards-shaving-/31578046.html
--------
YPG/PKK Terror Group Continues To Forcibly Recruit
Children in Northeastern Syria
The YPG/PKK terror organization continued to forcibly
recruit and exploit children in areas under its control in northeastern Syria,
according to sources.
------
Eşref Musa, Ethem Emre Özcan
25.11.2021
TAL ABYAD, Syria
The YPG/PKK terror organization continued to forcibly
recruit and exploit children in areas under its control in northeastern Syria,
according to sources.
YPG/PKK terrorists detained three more 15-year-old
girls -- Hediyye Abdurrahim Anter, Evin Jalal Halil and Ayana Idris Ibrahim --
in Amuda in al-Hasakah province on Nov. 21 to forcibly recruit them as
"child fighters."
The terror group detained two children, aged 13 and
16, in early August. And two children aged 16 and 13 were kidnapped Aug. 23.
The YPG/PKK is taking the children to its so-called
training camps in al-Hasakah.
The terror group’s use of children as fighters and its
educating them for military purposes has repeatedly been documented in UN
reports.
A UN report, "Children and armed conflict in the
Syrian Arab Republic," released May 18, showed that the YPG/PKK used more
than 400 children between July 2018 and June 2020.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against
Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU
– has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including
women, children and infants. The YPG is PKK's Syrian offshoot.
Source: Anadolu Agency
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
--------
Rights
Group Raises Alarm Over Threat To Freedom Of Expression In Pakistan
Freedom
of Expression in Pakistan
----
Nov
25, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Wednesday expressed concern
over attempts to smother freedom of expression and opinion in the country.
The
remarks were made in the context of the recently concluded Asma Jahangir
Conference 2021.
"HRCP
is increasingly alarmed by attempts to smother freedom of expression and
opinion in the country--from the PTA's ham-fisted bid to disrupt internet
services to the venue of the Asma Jahangir Conference and detractors
questioning its funding, to the Pakistan Ulema Council's demand that the state
takes action against the convenors for having allegedly 'defamed' the army and
judiciary," HRCP said in a statement.
"In
an environment where marginalised voices--particularly those from Balochistan
and grassroots movements such as the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement--have to fight to
be 74 heard on human rights, such steps are at odds with the government's claim
that Pakistan's media is 'free'.
Religious
and sectarian minorities suffer systematic discrimination and violence in
Pakistan, an expert panel said during a seminar in Lahore.
This
issue of discrimination against minorities was raised during the Asma Jahangir
Conference 2021, where the speakers discussed the theme of 'Freedom of Religion
and Belief' on Sunday.
"Despite
all discrimination, we own this land and accept the Constitution of
Pakistan," said speakers while attending a session on "Impact of
extremism on religious and sectarian Minorities" on Sunday, The News
International reported.
Prominent
Pakistani academic Pervez Hoodbhoy said that the two-Nation Theory and the
Objectives Resolution laid the basis for the systematic discrimination of
minorities in Pakistan. He said that the Christians, Hindus and Parsis, over
time, chose to leave Pakistan due to discrimination and violence.
Lal
Chand Malli, Member of the National Assembly, said the government, under the
Ministry of Human Rights, had formed a parliamentary committee to protect
minorities against forced conversions, but the law was blocked at the Council
of Islamic Ideology (CII).
A
representative of the Hazara community termed Hazaras "double
minority" as they faced systematic discrimination. "The extremists
are empowered due to encouragement by the state as Hazaras suffer gross
violations of human rights," Jalila Haider said.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Libya
Election Head Rules Out Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi As Presidential Candidate
Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi
-----
24
November, 2021
Libya’s
election commission said on Wednesday that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of
the former ruler and a major candidate in December’s planned presidential
election, was ineligible to run, compounding the turmoil surrounding the vote.
Gaddafi
was one of 25 candidates that it disqualified in an initial decision pending an
appeals process that will ultimately be decided by the judiciary. Some 98
Libyans registered as candidates.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Disputes
over the election rules, including the legal basis of the vote and who should
be eligible to stand, threaten to derail an internationally backed peace
process aimed at ending a decade of factional chaos.
The
military prosecutor in Tripoli had urged the commission to rule out Gaddafi
after his conviction in absentia on war crimes charges in 2015 for his part in
fighting the revolution that toppled his father Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. He has
denied wrongdoing.
Some
of the other candidates initially approved by the commission had also been
accused of possible violations by political rivals.
Interim
prime minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah vowed not to run for president as a
condition of taking on his present role, and did not stand down from it three
months before the vote as is required by a contested election law.
Another
prominent candidate, eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, is said to have U.S.
nationality, which could also rule him out. Many people in western Libya also
accuse him of war crimes committed during his 2019-20 assault on Tripoli.
Haftar
denies warcrimes and says he is not a U.S. citizen. Dbeibah has described as
“flawed” the election rules issued in September by the parliament speaker
Aguila Saleh, who is also a candidate.
UN
Libya envoy Jan Kubis, who is stepping down from his post, told the UN Security
Council on Wednesday that Libya’s judiciary would make the final decision on
the rules and on whether candidates were eligible.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
South Asia
Media Outlets in Afghanistan Closed Due To Financial Challenges and Restrictions on Press since Taliban Takeover
Nov
24, 2021
KABUL:
At least 257 media outlets have closed in Afghanistan due to financial
challenges as well as restrictions on the media since the Taliban took over
Kabul in August, according to newly formed media watchdog, Nehad
Rasana-e-Afghanistan (NAI).
Tolo
News reported that the shutdown include print, radio and TV stations. According
to NAI, over 70 per cent of media workers have become jobless or left the
country.
Afghanistan
has released two lists of principles for the media's operation which have
raised concerns over restrictions of media activities in the country.
Journalists
have expressed dissatisfaction with the Taliban-led government.
Tolo
News quoted a reporter as saying: "They (Islamic Emirate) said they will
work for reporters, but we see no positive results."
"Recently
access to information have been limited which has caused problems for
reporters. The recent statement of the Ministry of Virtue and Vice has
increased the concerns over restrictions of media activities," Abdurraqib
Fayaz, another reporter said.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Taliban
believe current govt in Afghanistan is inclusive: Spokesperson
November
25, 2021
The
Taliban on Wednesday said the outfit consider the government they have
installed in Afghanistan to be inclusive as it includes members of various
ethnic groups.
This
claim comes as the Taliban has been facing stringent criticism from the
international community for the all-male government they installed in
September.
"With
regard to inclusiveness, our understanding of inclusiveness is that people of
different ethnicities should participate in the government," Suhail
Shaheen told Sputnik noting that it is exactly what the movement "has done
and is doing."
Shaheen
further stressed that "talented people of different ethnicities" can
take part in governing the country.
The
international community also demands that the movement ensure women have access
to education, and the Taliban, according to the spokesperson, "has no
problems" with women's education.
Three
months have passed since the Taliban regained control of Kabul, as the US and
its allies departed, wrapping up their 20-year military presence in
Afghanistan.
Earlier
in September, the outfit had announced the composition of an all-male interim
government headed by Mohammad Hasan Akhund, who served as a foreign minister during
the first Taliban rule.
Source:
Business Standard
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Taliban
welcome Indian aid as Pakistan conveys decision to India
Nov
24, 2021
NEW
DELHI: The Taliban have welcomed Pakistan's decision to allow India to send
wheat to Afghanistan through the land route and expressed readiness again to
have Indian diplomats back in the country.
This
followed Pakistan's announcement earlier in the day that it had formally
conveyed to India its decision to allow, as a goodwill gesture, transportation
of Indian wheat to Afghanistan via the Attari-Wagah border.
"I
appreciate Pakistan’s announcement to facilitate wheat delivery by India to
Afghanistan. We welcome decision by any country to reopen its embassy in Kabul
and we categorically assure them of their diplomats' security," Taliban's
ambassador-designate to UN Suhail Shaheen told TOI, responding to a query on
Taliban's stated willingness to have diplomatic ties with India.
Significantly,
India's close strategic partner Japan said Wednesday it will consider reopening
its embassy in Kabul if the security situation allowed it. "We intend to
reopen our embassy after security is assured. A joint framework should be
created for practical measures," Japan's ambassador to Afghanistan Takashi
Okada was quoted as saying by TOLO News. The ambassador also said Japan will
continue to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Foreign minister S Jaishankar
and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi had in a phone conversation
earlier this week underlined the need for cooperation in dealing with the
Afghanistan situation.
While
maintaining that the current dispensation in Kabul isn't inclusive enough to
merit international recognition, India has been looking to work with the
Taliban to help them deal with the unfolding humanitarian crisis. More public
engagements with the Taliban in the next few weeks aren't ruled out as the
government prepares to send aid, including 50,000 MT of wheat, to Afghanistan.
Taliban's
assurance on security also comes ahead of another round of talks with the US in
Doha where the 2 sides are expected to discuss, among other things,
humanitarian aid and the threat from terrorism.
Earlier
in the day, Pakistan said in a statement that as a goodwill gesture towards the
"brotherly" Afghan people, it had decided to allow the transportation
of wheat and life saving medicines from India to Afghanistan via Wagah Border
on an "exceptional basis for humanitarian purposes". The decision was
officially conveyed to the Indian chargé d'affaires in Islamabad Wednesday.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
UAE
holds talks with Taliban to run Kabul airport
November
25, 2021
DUBAI:
The United Arab Emirates has held talks with the Taliban to run Kabul airport,
going up against Gulf rival Qatar in a diplomatic tussle for influence with
Afghanistan’s new rulers, according to four sources with knowledge of the
matter.
UAE
officials have held a series of discussions with the group in recent weeks to
discuss operating the airport that serves as landlocked Afghanistan’s main air
link to the world, the foreign diplomats based in the Gulf region said.
The
talks demonstrate how countries are seeking to assert their influence in
Taliban-ruled Afghanistan even as the hardline Islamist group largely remains
an international pariah and its government not formally recognised by any
country.
The
Emiratis are keen to counter diplomatic clout enjoyed there by Qatar, according
to the sources who declined to be name due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The
Qataris have been helping run the Hamid Karzai International Airport along with
Turkey after playing a major role in evacuation efforts following the chaotic
US withdrawal in August, and have said they are willing to take over the
operations.
Yet
the Taliban has not yet formalised an arrangement with Qatar, the four diplomats
said.
A
senior Emirati foreign ministry official said the UAE, which previously ran
Kabul airport during the US-backed Afghan republic, “remains committed to
continuing to assist in operating” it to ensure humanitarian access and safe
passage. Abu Dhabi also aided recent evacuation efforts.
The
Taliban and Qatari authorities did not respond to requests for comment.
Two
of the diplomats said the Taliban has also sought financial assistance from the
UAE, though they added it was not clear if this was related to the airport
discussions.
The
Emirati foreign ministry official, Salem Al Zaabi, director of international
security cooperation, did not respond to a question on whether the UAE was
considering providing financial help to the Taliban.
One
key issue that’s still to be resolved between the Taliban and potential airport
operators is who would provide security at the site, the four diplomats said.
The Taliban say they do not want foreign forces in the country following their
return to power after two decades of war.
Still,
Qatari special forces are presently providing security within the airport’s
perimeter, the diplomats added, while Taliban special forces were patrolling
areas outside.
So
far countries have been reluctant to formally recognise the Taliban’s
government, accusing the group of backtracking on pledges to uphold the rights
of women and minorities.
Yet
Qatari officials have urged greater international engagement with the Taliban
to prevent impoverished Afghanistan from falling into a humanitarian crisis.
Gulf states have also voiced concern that the US withdrawal would allow Al
Qaeda to regain a foothold in Afghanistan.
While
there is little commercial benefit for any operator, the airport would provide
a much-needed source of intelligence on movements in and out of the country,
according to the four diplomats, who said that since the withdrawal many
countries have lacked real-time information.
Qatar
and the UAE have had strained relations for years as they competed for regional
influence. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and their allies boycotted Qatar for over
three years, cutting off political, trade and transport ties, accusing Doha of
supporting terrorism — a charge that it denies. The dispute was resolved in
January this year.
Qatar
has long been the gateway to the Taliban, with Doha hosting the group’s
political office since 2013 and negotiations with the US in early 2020 that led
to the withdrawal.
Last
week, Qatari officials strengthened their position by signing an accord to
represent American diplomatic interests in Afghanistan.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1660110/uae-holds-talks-with-taliban-to-run-kabul-airport
--------
Europe
Manchester
Arena bombing inquiry told Didsbury Mosque imam received death threats
Soraya
Ebrahimi
Nov
25, 2021
An
imam received death threats after delivering a sermon denouncing extremism, he
told the inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing.
Mohammed
Saeed El Saeiti said he spoke at Didsbury Mosque in the city condemning ISIS in
October 2014, on the day the terrorist group said it had murdered local taxi
driver Alan Hemming.
Salman
Abedi gave the imam a “hateful look” after the sermon, Mr El Saeti said.
An
“inciteful” Facebook message by Abedi’s father, Ramadan, was also posted,
urging worshippers to “isolate this man” [El Saeti] so the UK government would
not shut down the mosque.
Salman
Abedi killed 22 people and injured hundreds in a suicide bombing at the
Manchester Arena in May 2017, after a concert by US singer Ariana Grande.
The
inquiry into the attack heard the sermon also prompted a petition calling for
Mr El Saeiti’s dismissal, with signatories including Abedi’s brothers, Hashem
and Ismail.
Giving
evidence on Wednesday, Mr El Saeiti said mosque trustees admonished him for
talking about politics and warned him threats had been made to harm him if he
returned to the pulpit.
“I
was speaking about the sanctity of human life. So I didn’t mention political
groups. I’m not affiliated with any political party, I was just basically
combatting terrorism and extremism,” he said.
He
said he named ISIS, Al Qaeda and the Libya-based militias Ansar Al Sharia and
Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries, who he referred to as “dogs of
hellfire”.
At
the end of the sermon, a man snatched the microphone and accused him of
espousing political views, he said.
“This
man was a cardiologist. I told him he should feel ashamed to defend ISIS. I did
tell him in front of the congregation,” Mr El Saeiti said.
Weeks
later, Salman and Hashem Abedi sat “very close” to the pulpit and he could see
from Salman’s face “he was not happy with me”.
“One
of the congregation told me he sent his children to sit behind them in case
‘they might do something to you’,” Mr El Saeiti said.
Shortly
after, he had a second encounter with Salman in a corridor at the mosque, the
inquiry heard.
“He
gave me a hateful look. He showed me that he didn’t like me, basically.”
Mr
El Saeiti said he went on to phone Ramadan Abedi because he believed his
Facebook post had incited harm against him.
“He
said to me: ‘You spoke about the brothers of Ansar Al Sharia’. He said ‘I know
them, they are good people’. So I then told them they are terrorists: they
behead, they kill”.
Ansar
Al Sharia, which has since dissolved, was a banned terrorist group in the US at
the time of his sermon and was proscribed in Britain a month later.
He
said Ismail Abedi also confronted him outside Didsbury Mosque and criticised
him for speaking out against “the brothers”.
Libyan-born
Mr El Saeiti said, as far as he knew, the majority of Libyans who attended the
mosque, also known as the Manchester Islamic Centre, were opposed to Muammar
Qaddafi, the disposed dictator.
He
said sympathisers of terrorist groups in Benghazi were among the congregation.
“Some
of them signed the petition,” he said. “They objected to my sermon against
those groups.”
Mr
El Saeiti told the inquiry he had raised concerns about regular “secret
meetings” of Libyan supporters of extremist organisations held at the mosque
throughout 2015 and 2016. he said they had been permitted by its trustees.
Mosque
chairman Fawzi Haffar has denied any such meetings took place. He said Mr El
Saeiti was “a liar” who held a grudge after being made redundant.
Mr
Haffar said Didsbury Mosque was “middle of the road, mainstream” and rejected
any suggestion it was not doing enough to address whether members of its
congregation were being radicalised.
Source:
The National News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
EU
condemns execution of juvenile offender in Iran
Agnes
Szucs
24.11.2021
BRUSSELS
The
European Union on Wednesday condemned the execution of a juvenile offender in
Iran.
The
EU condemned “in the strongest terms” the execution of Arman Abdolali who
committed a crime when he was 17 years old, Peter Stano, the European
Commission’s chief spokesperson in charge of foreign affairs, said in a
statement.
“The
European Union calls on Iran to refrain from any future executions and to
pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment,” he
added.
“It
is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent to crime
and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity,” the
statement said.
The
bloc also reminded Iran of its international obligations under the
International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the
Rights of the Child that prohibit the death penalty for people under the age of
18.
Earlier
in the day, Abdolali, now 24 years old, was executed at Rajaei Shahr Prison in
the city of Karaj, west of the capital Tehran.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/eu-condemns-execution-of-juvenile-offender-in-iran/2429753
--------
Turkey,
UK to negotiate landmark free trade deal to include more sectors
Zeynep
Cetinkaya
24.11.2021
While
the trade ties between the UK and Turkey continue at full speed, the landmark
free trade agreement is planned to be renegotiated to include more sectors in
the next two years.
The
UK officially quit the EU after 47 years of membership on Jan. 31, 2020, as the
27 members of the bloc approved the Brexit deal on Nov. 25, 2018.
On
Dec. 24 last year, the UK reached a post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU in
a bid to prevent commercial losses after the divorce.
A
few days later on Dec. 29, the country signed a historic free trade agreement
with Turkey.
According
to the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey's exports to the UK rose by 28%
year-on-year to $9.7 billion in January-September, while its imports from the
country increased by 4.5% to $4.2 billion in the same period.
Brexit
has not affected the UK’s trade relations with Turkey thanks to the historic
free trade agreements, Chris Gaunt, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce
in Turkey (BCCT), told Anadolu Agency.
He
pointed out that the deal has a clause to enhance and improve the free trade
agreements.
"So
there's the opportunity within the next two years to renegotiate the free trade
agreements between Turkey and UK to include more sectors and give more
opportunity for both Turkish companies and UK companies."
Agriculture,
pharmaceuticals, technology, and financial services are areas that offer great
potential for both countries, he said.
"Hopefully,
we can start to include these in the new free trade agreement
negotiations," Gaunt expressed.
The
trade ministers of the two countries will meet in the next six to eight months
to start the renegotiation process, he stated.
The
technology sector in Turkey is growing very quickly, he underlined, adding:
"It is becoming a major force within Europe. So the potential for Turkey
and UK to grow their trade is still very big. And we want to create an
environment whereby we can realize that potential over and above what we
currently have."
Despite
the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on bilateral trade, Gaunt said there is no lack
of appetite to boost the trade volume.
"The
UK is Turkey's second largest export market. Hopefully in the future UK will be
Turkey's biggest export market," he said.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab World
Rights
watchdog demands probe into France's role in airstrikes on civilians in Egypt
Merve
Aydogan
24.11.2021
A
global human rights watchdog on Wednesday called on French authorities to
"immediately investigate" allegations on involvement in aerial
attacks against civilians in a joint "covert operation" with Egypt at
the Libyan border in 2016-2018.
The
statement by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) came shortly after the investigative
website Disclose leaked a number of classified documents from the French
Directorate of Military Intelligence, Ministry of Armed Forces, and armed
forces general staff, unveiling information on a secret French intelligence
operation in Egypt dubbed Operation Sirli.
The
HRW noted that France had previously aided the "appalling human rights
record" of Egypt under the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a
country that is "among France's top arms clients."
"France
continues to sign major arms deals with Sisi's government -- also under a
pretext of security and fighting terrorism -- despite evidence that some of
these weapons had been used to violently suppress protests and commit other
human rights violations," it added.
Citing
a statement by the French Armed Forces Ministry on launching an investigation
"into the information disseminated by Disclose" a day after its
release, the watchdog said it remained "unclear whether the investigation
would focus on the origins of the leaks themselves or the allegations contained
therein."
"France
should immediately investigate the allegations made by Disclose into the
reconnaissance mission in Egypt's western desert and suspend all sales of
security-related assistance to the Egyptian government."
Despite
the alleged evidence of French complicity in the killing of civilians, the
Disclose said in its report that French forces were "still deployed in the
Egyptian desert."
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Lebanon
central bank governor told to hand over data for forensic audit: Presidency
24
November ,2021
Lebanon’s
president told central bank governor Riad Salameh on Wednesday to provide data
for a forensic audit of the bank, saying the restructuring consultancy Alvarez
& Marsal(A&M) had said it did not have information it needed a month
after starting.
President
Michel Aoun made the comments in a meeting with Salameh and Finance Minister
Youssef Khalil about the audit, part of efforts to address the fallout from
Lebanon’s financial collapse in 2019 that has left swathes of the nation in
poverty.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
More
than two months after a new government took office, efforts to start resolving
the crisis appear to be going nowhere fast. Salameh said on Tuesday Lebanon had
yet to give the IMF its estimate of losses in the financial system, without
which Beirut cannot begin serious talks for IMF support.
An
audit of the central bank is one of the demands of foreign donors who have said
they will not release funds for Lebanon until it reforms.
The
governor and minister told the president they were “doing what is necessary” to
meet A&M’s requests as quickly as possible, the presidency said in a
statement.
A&M
previously withdrew from auditing the central bank in November 2020 because it
did not receive data required to carry out the task. It agreed to return in
September 2021 after the authorities promised to ensure it received everything
it needed.
An
official source told Reuters that A&M had informed the presidency a few
days earlier it would again withdraw if it did not receive more information
from the central bank, leading the president to summon the governor on
Wednesday.
A&M
and the central bank did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran
chief negotiator meets senior officials in UAE: WAM
24
November ,2021
Iran’s
chief nuclear negotiator Ali Baghreri-Kani met with senior Emirati officials on
Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, state news agency WAM reported.
Bagheri-Kani,
who’s Iran’s deputy foreign minister for political affairs, met with the
diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, Anwar Gargash, and Emirati minister of
state for foreign affairs Khalifa Shaheen Almarar, WAM said.
The
two sides discussed bilateral relations and “emphasized the importance of
strengthening them,” it said.
Bagheri-Kani
said his country reached an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to “open a
new chapter” in bilateral relations after meeting senior Emirati officials in
Abu Dhabi.
“We
agreed to open a new page in Iran-UAE relations,” Bagheri-Kani wrote on Twitter
without elaborating.
There
were also discussions about regional and international developments of common
interest to the two countries, WAM added.
The
meeting comes days before nuclear talks between Iran and world powers are
slated to resume in Vienna.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Turkey,
UAE to sign accords on energy, technology at talks: Officials
24
November ,2021
Turkey
and the United Arab Emirates will sign accords on energy and technology
investments after talks between President Tayyip Erdogan and Abu Dhabi Crown
Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Ankara on Wednesday, a Turkish
official said.
Sheikh
Mohammed’s meeting with Erdogan, the first such visit in years, comes as the
two countries work to mend frayed ties and amid a currency crisis in Turkey.
The
official said the memorandums of understanding would be signed between the Abu
Dhabi Development Holding (ADQ), Turkish Wealth Fund (TVF), and the Turkish
Presidency Investment Office, as well as with some Turkish companies.
The
agreements highlight the pivot towards economic partnership after a battle for
regional influence since the Arab uprisings erupted a decade ago. The disputes
have extended to the eastern Mediterranean and Gulf, before Ankara launched a
charm offensive in the region last year.
ADQ
will sign an accord on investing in Turkish technology firms and on
establishing a technology-oriented fund, the person said, adding Abu Dhabi
Ports will also sign an agreement on port and logistics cooperation.
ADQ
will also sign deals with Turkish company Kalyon on energy and infrastructure,
one with CCN Group on health cooperation, and another with Turkey’s Presidency
Investment Office for UAE investments in renewable energy projects of up to 3GW
in Turkey.
“Problems
with the UAE are now behind us. We are entering a period based fully on
cooperation and mutual benefit,” said another official familiar with
preparations for Wednesday’s visit, and added the UAE investment would
ultimately be in the billions of dollars.
Turkey’s
Central Bank Governor, Sahap Kavcioglu, was also meeting United Arab Emirates
officials at the Turkish presidency for preliminary talks regarding a potential
swap agreement, two sources told Reuters.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Turkey
is a ‘great natural partner,’ says UAE minister
25
November ,2021
Turkey
is a “great natural partner” for the UAE and the two countries “share a similar
outlook and agree on a range of strategic topics,” a senior Emirati official
said on Wednesday.
Dr
Sultan bin Ahmed al-Jaber, UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology,
told the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), “As we celebrate our
Golden Jubilee, partnerships and building bridges will continue to be central
to our next 50-year development plans. So, we are laser-focused on prioritizing
sustainable economic growth and prosperity alongside regional and global
partners.”
For
all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“That
means establishing stronger economic, trade, business and cultural ties with
nations around the world like Turkey. As a close regional neighbor, Turkey is
just a great natural partner,” he added.
His
Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and
Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has met with the Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday.
Al-Jaber
is part of the high-level delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed during his
official visit, state news agency WAM reported.
“From
our engagements with various Turkish counterparts, it is evident and very clear
that we share a similar outlook and agree on a range of topics that are
strategically important to both of us,” he explained.
“It
is our common interests, genuine commitment and shared vision for peace,
stability and prosperity, not just for us but for the broader region.”
Al
Jaber highlighted the fact that the UAE is Turkey’s largest regional trading
partner. “From 2019 to 2020, UAE exports to Turkey increased by more than 110 percent
and total trade increased by 21 percent.”
The
UAE, now, is “taking a comprehensive approach” to the partnership with Turkey,
he emphasized. “We will build on the existing foundation between the two
countries and enhance our economic, trade and social ties across multiple
sectors, including energy, healthcare, food and agriculture, logistics, ports,
transportation, industry and manufacturing, infrastructure, finance and capital
markets, technology, tourism, culture and more.”
The
UAE announced on Wednesday that it will establish a $10 billion investment fund
in Turkey, which will focus on logistics, energy, healthcare and food.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab
coalition bombs drone sites in Yemen’s Sanaa: Report
24
November ,2021
The
Arab coalition engaged in Yemen said on Wednesday it launched air strikes on
the Iran-backed Houthi militia’s drone sites in the capital Sanaa in the second
such raid in as many days after earlier targeting Houthi missile capabilities.
The
alliance bombed a building under construction that was being used as “a secret
factory” for drones and urged civilians to stay clear of areas with
“legitimate” military targets, Saudi state media reported.
Residents
said there was no hospital in the vicinity of the targeted area. Reuters could
not immediately independently verify the report of casualties.
On
Tuesday, the alliance, which has been battling the Houthis for over six years,
said it destroyed a ballistic missile launch site.
The
Houthis have repeatedly launched cross-border drone and missile attacks on
Saudi Arabia since the coalition intervened in March 2015 after the movement
ousted the internationally-recognized government from Sanaa.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
UAE
establishes $10 bln fund to support investments in Turkey
24
November ,2021
The
United Arab Emirates has established a $10 bln fund to support investments in
Turkey, according to a state news agency report.
The
fund will focus on strategic investments, including in the energy and health
sectors, according to state news agency WAM.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
"The
UAE announced the establishment of a $10 billion fund to support investments in
Turkey," the official Emirati news agency WAM said.
The
announcement comes after Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed
held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday,
opening a new chapter in relations between the regional rivals.
WAM
said that the move was "to support the Turkish economy and boost bilateral
cooperation between the two countries."
It
added that the main focus will be on "strategic investments",
especially in sectors including energy, health and food.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Pakistan
Taliban
govt signs deal with Australian firm for cannabis centre
Nov
25, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
The Afghan government has signed a deal with an Australian company, Cpharm,
that wants to set up a cannabis processing centre in Afghanistan, a Taliban
spokesperson said on Wednesday.
“All
the stages of the contract with Cpharm have been completed and in a few days
the project will be officially launched which will create jobs for many
citizens,” Saeed Khosty, Taliban press director, posted on Twitter.
He
said that a representative of the Australian company pledged $450-million
investment for the project in Afghanistan. “Afghanistan’s deputy narcotics
minister met Cpharm’s representative on Tuesday in this regard,” Khosty said.
He
added that the company, which produces medicinal cannabis cream, would be given
access to thousands of acres of Afghan cannabis crops. Quoting a spokesperson
for Cpharm, Khosty posted on Twitter: “Afghanistan has 6,000 acres of land for
cannabis cultivation and they (Cpharm) need 5000 acres of cannabis.”
After
taking control of Afghanistan in August, the Taliban authorities had vowed to
crack down on the illicit drugs trade.
Yussef
Wafa, Taliban governor of Kandahar, said in October that the group had been
arresting drug users and would not let farmers grow cannabis or opium poppies.
According
to Afghan poppy and hashish (cannabis) cultivators, they have not seen any real
change in Taliban’s attitude towards them since they took control of the
country.
Cannabis
and opium crops were known to be significant sources of revenue for the
hardline group when it was fighting a war against the US-led occupation of
Afghanistan.
Afghanistan
produces significant amounts of cannabis and manufactures methamphetamine using
the local ephedra plant. It is also the world’s largest opium producer,
accounting for 85 percent of the global total in 2020.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
World
Realizing Islam as Religion Of Peace Despite Propaganda: FM
24
November, 2021
ISLAMABAD
(APP) - Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday emphasized the need
for a genuine inter-civilizational dialogue and interfaith harmony to save
billions of people from conflict, poverty, disease, and hunger.
Addressing
a conference, the foreign minister said promotion of inter-faith harmony had
assumed unparalleled significance in today’s polarized world characterized by
extremism, supremacist ideologies, conflicts, and festering disputes.
The
foreign minister said Pakistan was committed to sparing no effort to promote
harmony and understanding between different religions, cultures, and
civilizations.
He
said the global Covid-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for all that had led to
the realization that shunning conflicts and intolerance and promoting
understanding and cooperation hold the key to the survival of mankind.
He
mentioned that Pakistan was at the forefront of efforts to promote
understanding of the deep veneration held by Muslims for their Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
He
stressed that the West must not encourage or tolerate the abuse of freedom of
expression to injure the sentiments of nearly two billion Muslims.
Source:
Dunya News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
‘Pakistan
Promoting Interfaith Harmony to Ensure World Peace’, Says Pakistan’s President
November
25, 2021
Islamabad:
President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday terming interfaith harmony the need of the
hour, said Pakistan was promoting the message of tolerance and affinity among
people of different faiths to make the world a peaceful place to live.
Addressing
here at the International Interfaith Peace Conference, the president said
Pakistan, as a responsible State, was implementing religious freedom as enunciated
by its Constitution in conjunction with the Islamic principles.
The
conference titled ‘Respect of Humanity and its importance’ was organised by
Interfaith Council for Peace and Harmony, and Majlis Ulema-e-Pakistan and was
joined by the representatives of various religions including Islam,
Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and others.
President
Alvi said all religions of the world emphasized promoting peace and tolerance
for the betterment of mankind and stressed translating the same spirit into societies
having people with diverse faiths.
In
today’s world with conflicts, he said, a global message of interfaith harmony
was direly needed to reduce frictions and misconceptions about other religions.
He
said Islam was a religion of peace and believed in respecting humanity.
He
referred to the last sermon of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him), where he
had preached equality regardless of the discrimination of religion, race or
gender in a society that was divided by notions of tribal and ethnic superiority.
Dr
Alvi said promoting the message of the Prophet (PBUH) was still needed to be
resonated today in a world where misconceptions about Islam were growing.
He
called upon the followers of all religions to shun differences on the basis of
their faiths and get united for the common cause of humanity.
He
mentioned that several challenges such as global warming and environmental
degradation required no religious intent, but a joint action to save the world
and mankind.
State
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) was sent by Almighty Allah as a blessing for the entire mankind, whose
teachings promoted love for all. He mentioned that the establishment of
Rehmatul lil Alameen Authority by the government reflected its respect for all
religions in line with the Prophet’s message of peace.
Chairman
Council of Islamic Ideology Professor Dr Qibla Ayaz said the 1973 Constitution
of Pakistan enjoys the support of the majority of schools of thought, believing
in the freedom of religions. He emphasized giving a message to the world that
Pakistan was a citadel of peace that provided religious freedom to people with
religious diversity and discouraged extremist approaches.
Grand
Imam Badshahi Mosque and Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Abdul Khabir
Azad said the solidarity of humanity was linked with practicing tolerance
despite religious differences, in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad
(Peace be upon Him).
Source:
The News Pakistan
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/911468-pakistan-promoting-interfaith-harmony-to-ensure-world-peace
--------
Religious
dialogue vital to save world from hunger, poverty: Qureshi
November
24, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday emphasised the need for
inter-civilisational dialogue and interfaith harmony to save billions of people
across the globe from conflict, poverty, disease and hunger.
Addressing
at the International Interfaith Peace Conference here, the foreign minister
said promotion of inter-faith harmony had assumed unparalleled significance in
today’s polarised world characterised by extremism, supremacist ideologies,
conflicts, and festering disputes.
The
foreign minister said Pakistan was committed to sparing no effort to promote
harmony and understanding between different religions, cultures, and civilisations.
He
said the Covid-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for all, leading to the
realisation that shunning conflicts and intolerance and promoting understanding
and cooperation hold the key to the survival of mankind.
He
mentioned that Pakistan was at the forefront of efforts to promote
understanding of the deep veneration held by Muslims for Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH).
He
stressed that the West must not encourage or tolerate the abuse of freedom of
expression to injure the sentiments of about two billion followers of Islam.
He
said Islam firmly rejects notions of racial superiority and discrimination on
the basis of caste and creed.
Despite
malicious propaganda, he said, there was a growing realisation in the world
that Islam is a religion of peace that does not condone, encourage or promote
terrorism or violent extremism.
The
foreign minister referred to the last sermon of the prophet as the “most
definitive and unequivocal rejection of racism” and a timeless beacon of hope
for humanity.
He
said Pakistan had a rich tradition of tolerance, understanding, and respect for
the cultural values of minorities.
The
spirit of interfaith harmony is reflected in the green and white of our
national flag and is codified in our constitution, he added.
Qureshi
mentioned Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s speech before the Constituent Assembly on
August 11, 1947, was a forceful enunciation of religious tolerance.
He
said Pakistan is the land of Sufi saints whose message of respect for
diversity, humanism and compassion resonates across the country.
Being
on the crossroads of civilisations, he said, Pakistan is a rich mosaic
characterised by a confluence of cultures and amalgamation of ideas and wisdom.
He
mentioned that guided by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of promoting
tolerance and interfaith harmony, Pakistan had opened up Kartarpur Corridor for
the Sikh brethren. Similarly, efforts are underway to protect religious sites
and promote festivals of other religions.
Source:
Pakistan Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Africa
Moroccan,
Israeli Ministers Sign Defence MOU In Rabat: Spokesperson
24
November ,2021
Morocco
and Israel signed a defense memorandum in Rabat on Wednesday, an Israeli
defense spokesperson said, opening the way for possible military sales and
cooperation after the countries upgraded diplomatic ties last year.
The
document was signed during a visit by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who
was scheduled to hold talks with Abdellatif Loudiyi, Morocco’s defense
administration minister, and other officials.
Departing
for Rabat on Tuesday, Gantz told reporters he was embarking on “the first
formal visit” by an Israeli defense minister to Morocco - implicit
acknowledgement of discreet relations dating back decades.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Sudanese
prime minister says deal with military allows return to democracy
Adel
Abdelrahim
25.11.2021
Sudanese
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said Wednesday that his political deal with the
head of the ruling military council allows the restoration of the country’s
democratic transition.
The
agreement announced Sunday between Hamdok and Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan,
stipulates 14 points, including the return of Hamdok as prime minister,
formation of a qualified professionals' (technocratic) government, release of
political prisoners and a pledge to jointly continue the nation’s democratic
path.
In
an interview with private Sudania 24 TV, Hamdok said he "wasn't hesitant
to sign the political agreement because it allows the restoration of the
civilian and democratic transition."
He
pointed to the importance to "complete the constitutional and national
merit, conduct elections ... to continue the economic reform and achieve
peace."
Hamdok
said the agreement was also to stop bloodshed and "to preserve the gains
of the last two years."
Following
al-Burhan measures that deposed Hamdok’s government on Oct. 25, Sudan witnessed
mass rallies and protests that caused the death of 42 civilians, according to
Sudan's Doctors Committee.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Failure
to hold Libya's Dec. 24 elections could lead to more conflict: UN
Michael
Hernandez
24.11.2021
Conflict
could result from any failure to hold Libya's presidential and parliamentary
elections as scheduled, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' outgoing special
envoy warned on Wednesday.
Jan
Kubis, whose Nov. 17 resignation was accepted by Guterres on Tuesday, told the
Security Council that Libya is at a "delicate and fragile juncture"
ahead of its nationwide Dec. 24 polls.
"While
risks associated with the ongoing political polarization around the elections are
evident and present, not holding the elections could gravely deteriorate the
situation in the country and could lead to further division and conflict,"
he said.
"The
Libyan people are yearning for an opportunity to elect their representatives
and give them a mandate to govern Libya through democratic legitimacy. The
aspiration and determination of the majority of Libyans to participate in the
presidential and parliamentary elections as candidates or voters must be
fulfilled," added Kubis.
Nearly
100 candidates have registered to run in Libya’s presidential elections,
including transitional Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, renegade general
Khalifa Haftar, and Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of former strongman leader
Muammar Gaddafi.
The
presidential and parliamentary elections are set to take place under a
UN-sponsored agreement reached by Libyan political rivals last November.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Al-Shabab
blast by school in Somali capital kills at least 5
November
25, 2021
MOGADISHU,
Somalia: A large explosion outside a school in Somalia’s capital on Thursday
has killed at least five people, including students, witnesses said. The
extremist group Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack.
The
Al-Qaeda-linked group controls large parts of rural Somalia and continues to
frustrate efforts at rebuilding the Horn of Africa nation after three decades
of conflict.
The
blast sent a plume of smoke above a busy part of Mogadishu during the morning
rush hour.
Abdulkadir
Adan of the Amin ambulance service confirmed the five deaths to The Associated
Press, and the service said at least 15 wounded people were rushed to a
hospital.
“This
is a tragedy,” he said.
Photos
show the blast shredded part of the school, with emergency workers looking
through the collapsed roof beams and wooden benches.
Al-Shabab
in a statement carried by its Andalus radio said it targeted Western officials
being escorted by the African Union peacekeeping convoy. But a witness, Hassan
Ali, told the AP that a private security company was escorting the officials
and said he saw four of the security personnel wounded.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1975026/world
--------
India
Vice
President AIMPLB: All Sections of the Society Should Come Together To Fight
Sectarianism
24th
November 2021
New
Delhi: After being elected Vice President of All India Muslim Personal Law
Board, Arshad Madani said that all sections of the society should come together
to fight sectarianism and Muslims alone could not fight the hatred being spread
by a handful of people particularly in north India.
Maulana
Madani said, “we cannot win the war against sectarianism alone. We have to
bring together all secular-minded people of the society. We have to come
together to put out this fire of hatred and sectarianism. If we do so, we can
defeat the sectarian forces.”
Explaining
the game of sectarianism and hatred in north India in comparison with south, he
said, “the main reason for this is political interest. Provocation and
outrageous statements are being made to create sectarian classification at the
social level in order to achieve success in their nefarious plans by completely
isolating the majority from the minority.”
He
further said that there are only a handful of people who are fanning the flames
of hatred and sectarianism but they are powerful because they have the backing
of the people who are in power, and therefore the hands of law cannot reach
their necks.
Maulana
Madani also said that hatred cannot be countered with hatred, only ignorant
people can try to extinguish the fire with fire. “In contrast, we must promote
brotherhood, unity and love, which has been our and our country’s long history.
This history must be revived,” he said.
Madani
said the government’s attitude towards the issues regarding the growing dangers
of sectarianism in the country, and the things that have been presented in the
whole country, is based on hatred and prejudice.
“Interference
in Sharia rules is in fact based on the same politics of hatred and prejudice.
We have apparently no power to stop these things, and those who are doing this
have the power of authority which is considered to be the greatest power in
today’s world,” Madani said.
But
there are many people in the country who consider the current situation as
worrisome, and they are unhappy with what is happening against a certain class
of people in the last few years. They also think that such things are very
dangerous and harmful for the country.
Source:
Daily Siasat
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/hatred-more-in-north-india-than-south-arshad-madani-2230280/
--------
Taliban
Look to ‘Balance’ Ties with India, Pakistan
Nov
25, 2021
Days
before the Taliban’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi embarked on a
visit to Pakistan on November 10, one of his aides reached out to an
intermediary to ascertain whether there were any India-related issues that
should be raised in Islamabad.
The
aide from Muttaqi’s office also wanted to ascertain from the intermediary
whether there were any sensitivities that should be kept in mind in the Taliban
foreign policy chief’s maiden engagement with the Pakistani leadership, people
familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity.
Muttaqi’s
aide was informed about the need to take up with the Pakistani leadership the
offer made by India several weeks ago to supply 50,000 tonnes of wheat to
Afghanistan, and the pressing need to make travel arrangements for hundreds of
Afghan citizens stranded across India since the fall of the Ashraf Ghani
government in August, the people said.
Pakistan
had not responded to India’s proposal to ship the wheat to Afghanistan via the
Wagah land border crossing in the absence of direct flights.
The
Taliban delegation led by Muttaqi, which was in Pakistan for three days, raised
both issues with top leaders such as foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and
Prime Minister Imran Khan. As a result, Khan announced on November 22 that his
government would allow the shipment of the Indian wheat as soon as modalities
were worked out by Islamabad and New Delhi.
Khan
said Pakistan would also facilitate the return of Afghans who had gone to India
for medical treatment and were stuck there.
This
outreach by Muttaqi’s camp and the Taliban’s balanced response to the November
10 meeting of senior security officials of seven countries, including Iran and
Russia, that was convened by India are being seen in some quarters as an
attempt by the Taliban to strike a balance in their attempts to forge relations
with Pakistan and India.
Taliban
spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid had said the first regional meeting on Afghanistan
convened by India was in the “better interest of Afghanistan” and reiterated
the group’s policy on not allowing Afghan soil to be “used against any
country”. The Taliban, he added, had no “objection or anxiety” about the
meeting.
“Though
we are not present in this conference, we firmly believe this conference is in
the better interest of Afghanistan...and the participating countries also must
be thoughtful of improving and safeguarding the security situation in
Afghanistan and helping the current government to ensure security in the
country on its own,” Mujahid said.
One
of the people cited above said: “It is difficult to gauge their sincerity but
they do seem to be going through the motions to create an impression that they
want a balance between Pakistan and India. It also suits the Taliban to be seen
as not completely reliant on Pakistan.”
The
Indian side, which had opened channels of communication with sections of the
Taliban leadership last year, has made it clear it is in no rush to give
legitimacy or recognition to the Taliban setup. New Delhi has insisted that Afghanistan
must not be used for planning or executing terror attacks on other countries
and an inclusive government must be formed in Kabul.
Participating
in an online event organised on Wednesday by the Indian Chamber of Commerce,
foreign secretary Harsh Shringla described the Indian side’s conversations so
far with the Taliban as “very reassuring” but also listed the world community’s
continuing concerns on Afghanistan.
Though
the rapid developments in Afghanistan amounted to a setback, he said: “We have
also established some contact with the Taliban both in Doha as well as in
Moscow in the talks, and I think the Taliban in our conversation with them have
been very reassuring. They have recognised that India has contributed greatly
to the people of Afghanistan that our developmental projects over the last 20
years have greatly contributed to Afghanistan’s development.”
He
added the Taliban “want us to provide humanitarian assistance, they want us to
re-establish our embassy there. So they have said good things, which is a good
start.”
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
NIA
raids multiple locations in J&K in terrorism conspiracy case
Nov
25, 2021
JAMMU:
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday morning carried out
searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir in a terrorism conspiracy
case, the agency said.
The
agency, however, did not reveal the exact case under which its sleuths
conducted raids citing investigation reasons, but it assures to share the
inputs soon as and when it finds a suitable time that will not affect its
probe.
The
raids were conducted three days after the NIA arrested Kashmiri human rights
activist Khurram Parvez from Kashmir for his involvement in anti-India activities
and having direct links with a banned Pakistan-based terrorist outfit.
A
senior NIA official earlier confirmed ANI that "Parvez was in touch with
Over Ground Workers (OWGs) of a banned Pakistani organisation".
The
official, however, did not disclose the name of the banned Pakistani outfit
suspecting that the revelation may impact the ongoing investigation.
The
official said that Parvez was held based on "solid evidence" against
him proving his links with the OWGs for several years. "These evidences are
in the form of electronic devices and some other platforms that can be proved
before the court during proceedings."
"Some
digital devices have been found from the possession of Khurram Parvez... Some
facts have emerged which are yet to be verified," the official further
said.
The
official also mentioned that the case in which Parvez has been arrested has
some links to Himachal Pradesh where the NIA sleuths had conducted raids on
Monday besides carrying out search operations at two locations in Kashmir.
In
this case, the NIA had on November 22 conducted raids at two places in Kashmir,
and one in Himachal before arresting Khurram Parvez from the Valley.
Parvez
was arrested from Jammu and Kashmir in connection with NIA's ongoing probe in a
terror funding case.
The
agency had conducted raids at Parvez's residence in Sonwar and office in Amira
Kadal of Srinagar.
NIA
sources said that Parvez has been booked under the Unlawful Activities
Prevention Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The
NIA sleuths picked up Parvez from his residence in the afternoon and he was
later arrested following questioning at the agency's office in the Valley, said
sources.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
144 terrorists killed, 2 civilians died in cross-firing this year: IGP Kashmir
Nov
25, 2021
SRINAGAR:
IGP (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said on Wednesday that 144 terrorists had been killed
in different encounters so far this year while two civilians had died in
cross-firing in the valley in the same period.
"Last
year, 207 militants were killed during encounters and only one civilian was
killed in cross-firing," Kumar said. He added that only three civilians
had been killed in cross-firing during encounters in the last two years and
that was the "lowest collateral damage in the last three decades".
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
3
terrorists killed in Srinagar shootout
Nov
25, 2021
SRINAGAR:
A senior commander of the terrorist outfit TRF, Mehran Yasin Shala, was killed
in a brief encounter in Srinagar's Rambagh area on Wednesday along with
terrorists Manzoor Mir and Arafat Ahmad Sheikh, officials said.
Mehran
Shala was previously a local goon associated with the "Gujjar Gang"
who reportedly took drugs and terrorised locals. The TRF (The Resistance Front)
is a shadow group of the LeT.
"Acting
swiftly on our own specific inputs... a team from the Srinagar police signalled
a Santro vehicle to stop. However, the terrorists started firing
indiscriminately on the police party from inside the car while trying to flee,
police said, adding that they retaliated.
In
the ensuing gunfight, three terrorists were killed. Meanwhile, IGP (Kashmir)
Vijay Kumar said on Wednesday that 144 terrorists had been killed in encounters
so far this year while two civilians had died in cross-firi-ng in the valley in
the same period.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
86%
of terrorists killed in J&K this year were local residents: Sources
Nov
24, 2021
NEW
DELHI: Of the 148 terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmir so far this year, 86%
were local residents and only 14% foreign terrorists, sources in the security
establishment have disclosed. Also, as many as 129 local Kashmiris were
recruited by terror outfits this year, they said.
A
senior officer said 127 local terrorists were killed in various encounters with
the security forces in J&K this year, against 21 foreign terrorists
neutralised in the same period. Local recruitment continues to be a concern,
with 129 Kashmiris believed to have joined terrorist ranks so far in 2021.
However, many of these local recruits have been killed in anti-terror
operations, while some surrendered or got arrested.
Around
199 terrorists, including 110 local and 89 foreigners, are said to be active in
the Valley. Infiltration activity has picked up in J&K in the last one
month, though it was largely concentrated in the Poonch region. “A group is
believed to have already infiltrated through this route, and may have headed to
adjoining Shopian by road. Usually, just after onset of winter, the terrorists
use the Poonch-Samba-Rajouri sector, where visibility on the border is low due
to foggy conditions, to infiltrate and lie low in districts like Shopian
through the winter months. Once the weather improves, they resurface to execute
terror attacks,” said an officer of the central security establishment.
The
officer added that arms continue to be smuggled into Punjab through drones,
before being transported to Kashmir in trucks, using the narco-terror network.
Source:
Times of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Tripura
violence: 4 Muslim clerics booked under UAPA granted bail
24th
November 2021
Hyderabad:
Four members of the Tahreek-Farooghe-Islam (TFI) socio-religious organisation
were granted bail by a magistrate court in Tripura on November 23. The bail was
granted after two weeks of their detention under the Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act.
TFI
national president and Muslim scholar Qamar Usmani Ghani, national
vice-president Qari Asim, national secretary Ihsanul Haque Rezavi, and a member
Roshan are the four members who were arrested and sent to jail for 14 days.
Speaking
to Maktoob media Mahmood Pracha, the legal advisor of Tahreek-Farooghe-Islam,
said that the four of them have been granted bail and walked out of prison on
Tuesday.
The
four Muslim scholars had travelled to Tripura to see individuals who had been
affected by communal violence that had rocked the state last month. On November
4, they were arrested by Tripura police claiming that their lives were under
threat. When police took them to the police station, they were told that their
visit had created law and order issues in the area.
TFI
president Qamar Usmani enroute to the police station recorded and released a video
on his Twitter handle informing people about his detention.
The
scholars were charged under Indian Penal Code sections 153A (promoting enmity
between various groups on the basis of religion, race, or place of birth), 153B
(imputations, claims harmful to national integration), 503 (criminal
intimidation), and 504 (criminal harassment) (intentional insult with the
intent to provoke breach of the peace).
A
nutshell of Tripura violence
A
massive wave of anti-Muslim violence was witnessed a month ago in Tripura which
has led to 16 verified incidents of Mosques getting vandalised. Of the same,
three Mosques were completely burned down. 27 verified incidents of mob
violence and an incident of right-wing groups attacking three houses in
Panisagar and molesting women were also reported.
Source:
Daily Siasat
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/tripura-violence-4-muslim-clerics-booked-under-uapa-granted-bail-2229942/
--------
Southeast Asia
Malaysia
bans Israelis from world squash event
November
25, 2021
Muslim-majority
Malaysia is refusing to grant visas for Israeli players to participate in a
major squash tournament next month, the sport's governing body says, sparking
anger in the Jewish state.
It
is the latest instance of the Southeast Asian nation, which has no diplomatic
relations with Israel, attempting to bar athletes from the country.
The
World Team Championship for men is due to take place in Kuala Lumpur from Dec.
7-12, with 26 squads participating.
But
the World Squash Federation (WSF) said it had "been made aware that, at
present, the Malaysian authorities have not accepted yet to provide visas for
the Israel squash team".
"The
WSF is committed to the principle of open and inclusive world championships in
which all member nations who wish to participate are welcome to do so,"
the governing body said in a statement to AFP.
The
WSF added it is in contact with Malaysia's squash body and hoped that "a
fair and practical solution can be achieved".
The
Israel Squash Association said it plans to turn to the Court of Arbitration for
Sport in Switzerland if the WSF can't resolve the issue.
"It's
a shame that they are mixing sports with politics," association chairman
Aviv Bushinsky told AFP.
"Those
who close their eyes — all the countries that participate and let something
like that happen — they allow racism and discrimination to take place in
sports."
The
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia, the country's squash organisation,
declined to comment.
Source:
UCA News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.ucanews.com/news/malaysia-bans-israelis-from-world-squash-event/95109
--------
PM
Ismail Sabri preaches importance of evidence-based policies to drive Malaysia’s
economy
25
Nov 2021
KUALA
LUMPUR, Nov 25 — The evidence-based policy (EBP) approach should be promoted in
the government’s effort to achieve the target of being among the world’s nine
best economies based on the Government Efficiency sub-index of the Institute
for Management Development’s (IMD) World Competitive Yearbook.
Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who said this, noted that the business
legislation indicator showed a significant declining trend over the last
decade, from 19th place in 2010 to 47th place in 2021.
“This
is a strong call for regulatory reform. We must do something. To achieve the
target, the EBP approach must be encouraged.
“EBP
will be applied in the planning, evaluation and monitoring mechanism in order
to ensure a comprehensive structural update for sustaining productivity and
economic growth,” he said in his speech today at the virtual launch of the
National Conference on Good Regulatory Practice (GRP), an event that marked the
climax of the GRP Month that began on Oct 25.
Malaysia
was placed 25th in IMD World Competitiveness rankings for 2021, up from 27th
spot last year. Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) (2021-2025), Malaysia is
targeting to rise to among the top nine economies in the Government Efficiency
sub-index.
Ismail
Sabri said the “whole-of-government” approach that emphasised close and
integrated cooperation among ministries, agencies and departments was the
foundation for GRP’s implementation.
“Not
only that, but the participation of the private sector, industry and business
community in GRP will also be enhanced.
“The
principles, elements and processes in the GRP approach must be adopted by all
ministries and administrative agencies in drafting and reviewing policies and
regulations,” he said.
Ismail
Sabri said GRP elements, including Regulatory Impact Analysis, Cost-Benefit
Analysis and Regulatory Notification Evaluation, must be done carefully and the
data and information included must prove that the regulatory actions actually
led to the people’s well-being.
“I
am fully supportive of the initiative to develop quality regulations to realise
this agenda as planned in the 12MP.
“I
am also confident that the mandate given to the Malaysia Productivity
Corporation to spearhead the updating of regulations will be carried out
responsibly in facilitating the GRP implementation.
Source:
Malay Mail
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
MCA’S
Kelebang rep says up to party leadership to decide his position in Melaka govt
25
Nov 2021
MELAKA,
Nov 25 — Senator Datuk Lim Ban Hong is leaving it to the MCA leadership to
decide on his position as International Trade and Industry deputy minister
following his victory in the recent Melaka state election.
Lim,
the newly elected Kelebang state assemblyman, said both federal and state posts
were a platform for him to serve the people and country, and he would do his
best to fulfill the new mandate given him in the state poll.
“I
need to respect the decisions of the MCA president and Barisan Nasional (BN)
chairman. I cannot pre-empt them, so let’s wait for their announcement.
“I
have begun my work as the newly elected assemblyman and will do my best for the
people of Kelebang and Melaka,” he told reporters here last night.
Lim
was mentioned as a prospective state executive councillor to be appointed from
MCA.
Commenting
on MCA’s success in winning two seats in the polls, he said it was a mandate
not only for MCA but also the whole of BN.
Being
part of the BN family, MCA would help the new leadership administer the state
in a spirit of togetherness that the coalition is known for, he added.
Source:
Malay Mail
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Johor
govt ramps up effort to register disabled people in state for welfare aid
25
Nov 2021
BY
BEN TAN
ISKANDAR
PUTERI, Nov 25 — The Johor government will embark on a campaign to register the
number of disabled people in the state next year, especially children.
The
state Social Welfare Department (JKM) currently has 68,120 in its database.
“The
move is not only meant to increase registration, but to also detect those who
have not been registered so that appropriate assistance can be channeled to
them,” state executive councillor Zaiton Ismail said in the legislative
assembly today, in reply to Sri Medan assemblyman Datuk Zulkurnain Kamisan.
Zaiton
chairs the state Women, Family and Community Development Committee.
Zulkurnain
had earlier asked about the latest number of disabled people in Johor, as well
as the state government's plans to assist them.
Zaiton
said the majority of the 68,120 registered people are those with physical
disabilities.
“The
highest of which are physical (24,268), learning (23,892) and mental (6,498).
“Those
with visual impairment and disabilities make up 5,450 people, hearing (4,428 ),
speech (373) while 3,208 others have various other forms of disabilities,” she
listed.
The
Sungai Balang assemblyman added that the state government will promote a
disability registration application online through the MyDaftar OKU programme
to facilitate the process.
She
said this was made for those with obvious disabilities, apart from complying
with the standard operating procedures.
Source:
Malay Mail
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Mideast
Israel
Aerospace eyes 25 percent share sale and more UAE deals
24
November ,2021
State-owned
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the United Arab Emirate’s state-owned
defense conglomerate EDGE have started work on joint development of an advanced
drone defense system, while IAI is likely to sell 25 percent of the company on
the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in the first half of 2022, its chief executive said
on Wednesday.
Israel’s
privatization panel gave approval last year for IAI to sell up to 49 percent of
its shares in an initial public offering.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“We’re
aiming right now for 25 pct. It will be a first step,” Boaz Levy told Reuters
after IAI reported a slight rise in third-quarter profit. “It will be somewhere
in the first half of next year.”
The
share offering still needs final government approval, he added.
IAI,
one of Israel’s largest defense companies, earned net profit of $31 million in
the three months to Sept. 30, compared with $30 million a year earlier. Sales
rose to $1.04 billion from $1.01 billion, boosted by its Systems Missiles &
Space and the Military Aircraft divisions.
Sales
for export over the first nine months of the year accounted for 73 percent of
total sales.
Defense
budgets are rising, Levy said.
“We
see many conflicts around the world and many changes that require a new
approach and new capabilities ... We are trying to be a part of that,” he said.
AI
last week opened a new office in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and has
already signed a $100 million contract to convert Boeing 777-300ER passenger
jets to cargo planes, which Levy said was “just the beginning.”
He
said an office in the UAE was necessary to continue to bid for contracts and
that IAI is also starting work on joint development of an advanced drone
defense system with the UAE’s state-owned weapons maker EDGE.
The
deals follow normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE last year,
as well as with Bahrain and Morocco.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran
says OIC has great capacity for helping achieve Islamic unity
November
25, 2021
Khatibzadeh
made the remarks while speaking about the latest situation of cooperation
between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the OIC, according to the Thursday
report of the information center of the Foreign Ministry.
The
spokesman expressed hope that OIC during the tenure of the new
secretary-general would witness further effort in line with serving common
interests of the Islamic Ummah and member states in the international arena.
Then,
the spokesman congratulated Hussein Ibrahim Taha on his election as the new OIC
Secretary-General and wished success for him.
As
Khatibzadeh noted, Ibrahim Taha has extended separate messages to the Iranian
president and foreign minister and has expressed readiness for fostering
cooperation with the Islamic Republic.
Source:
IRNA
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://en.irna.ir/news/84554611/Iran-says-OIC-has-great-capacity-for-helping-achieve-Islamic
--------
Defend
Al-Aqsa Mosque, says Head of High Islamic Commission in Jerusalem
November
24, 2021
Sheikh
Ekrema Sabri, Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque and head of High Islamic Commission in
Jerusalem, yesterday called for defending the holy site against increasing
Israeli raids, Quds Press reported.
In
a statement, Sheikh Sabri said: "The Israeli occupation has turned the city
of Jerusalem into a military base since Sunday and has escalated its
provocative measures against worshippers."
"The
Israeli occupation police tightened its restrictions on the Palestinians, while
it opened the door wide for the Jewish settlers to desecrate Al-Aqsa
Mosque."
Sheikh
Sabri pointed out that the increasing Israeli raids "prove that the
occupation is planning to dominate the holy site and impose its sovereignty
over it."
Source:
Middle East Monitor
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran:
US Must Lift All Unlawful Sanctions Before Returning to JCPOA
2021-November-24
Khatibzadeh's
remarks came in reaction to the allegations by the US officials regarding the
upcoming Vienna talks.
"Spin
won't get the US anywhere. Wise decisions—like ending max failure—just
may," the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman tweeted.
"The
US still manufactures fake news. Orchestrating photo op to sell fake narrative
about need for mutual return to JCPOA doesn't change reality that unlike the
US, Iran never left the deal," Khatibzadeh added.
The
revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially called the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has been on the agenda of high-profile
negotiations between Iran and the remaining signatories, known as the G4+1
group (Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany), in the Austrian capital
since April.
The
JCPOA was unilaterally abandoned by the US in 2018, when former US President
Donald Trump decided to implement a “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran.
US
President Joe Biden promised to reverse Trump’s own reversing of his
predecessor Barack Obama’s decision to sign on to the JCPOA. The Biden
administration also argued on the sidelines of the Vienna talks that Tehran and
Washington should mutually return to their commitments under the agreement.
Iran,
however, has insisted that the US, as the party that initially violated the
pact by its 2018 withdrawal, needs to fully honor its commitments first, after
which Tehran will halt its nuclear energy activities that go beyond the limits
set by the JCPOA.
In
relevant remarks on Monday, Iran's Lead Negotiator Ali Baqeri Kani underlined
the need for Washington to prove commitment to its undertakings based on the
nuclear deal.
“The
US and the EU must show that they have the political will to implement what
they agreed to do in 2015. They must overcome domestic considerations to
resolve this,” Baqeri Kani said in an interview with Al-Jazeera network.
He
added that the onus is on the US to prove its compliance with the deal as it
was the only party who ditched the accord in a unilateral manner.
“It
is widely believed that the United States, by withdrawing from the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), breached the deal blatantly and violated
UNSC Resolution 2231 flagrantly,” Baqeri Kani said.
He
made it clear that Iran has overcome Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign
and will be sitting at the negotiating table on November 29 with “full
preparedness, capacity, and total commitment to the JCPOA.”
“That’s
why the Americans, while resorting to deception, try to exploit the political
and media environment in their own favor. But it is not to their advantage.
They should accept reality and abide by all their commitments,” the lead
Iranian diplomat noted.
According
to Baqeri Kani, Iran continues its nuclear activities legitimately within the
framework stipulated in paragraphs 26 and 36 of the JCPOA, which give Iran the
right to reciprocate the noncompliance of the other side through legally
reducing its own commitments under the accord.
Rejecting
calls on Tehran to reverse its nuclear advancements, Baqeri Kani said, “Until
the violating and noncompliant party to the deal does not demonstrate, in
practice, its commitment to the JCPOA, there is no reason for Iran to abandon
its rights and entitlements guaranteed by the deal.”
“Everything
is clear and there is nothing ambiguous about the nuclear deal to negotiate,”
he added.
In
another part of his remarks, Baqeri Kani called on the European parties to the
JCPOA – namely France, Britain, and Germany – to demonstrate their abidance by
the nuclear deal in action, instead of paying lip service to it, and to put an
end to the noncompliance of the United States and its bankrupt policy of
maximum pressure.
Asked
whether Iran would discuss its missile program or regional influence after
presumably successful conclusion of the Vienna talks, he stressed that only the
countries of the region are entitled to make decisions about the issues of the
region.
“Any
interference from outside the region will bring no benefit for any party,” said
the senior diplomat, pointing to the catastrophic ramifications of US-led
interventions in the region. “It’s their presence and interference that impedes
constructive dialogue.”
"The
experience of foreign intervention from outside the region in Iraq and
Afghanistan indicates that murder, genocide, the destruction of infrastructure,
the spread of terrorism as well as narcotics cultivation and trafficking have
been the main outcome of intervention and manipulation by foreign powers during
the past two decades," the Iranian diplomat noted.
Baqeri
Kani also signaled that the Islamic Republic is ready to keep weathering US
sanctions if the Vienna talks do not fulfill its expectations.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
IAEA
chief says he ‘could not agree’ in talks with Iran
24
November ,2021
The
UN nuclear watchdog’s head said on Wednesday that he “could not agree” in talks
with Iranian officials to resolve disputes over the monitoring of the country’s
atomic program, a day after returning from Tehran.
Rafael
Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told
the quarterly meeting of the board of governors that his talks in Tehran were
“inconclusive”, despite what he had earlier described as “intense”
negotiations.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“We
could not agree yesterday, in spite of my best efforts,” Grossi told reporters
on Wednesday, shortly after addressing the board meeting.
Among
other officials in Tehran, he met Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic
Energy Organization of Iran.
He
had been hoping to make progress on several points of contention between the
agency and Tehran.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Spokesman:
Iran, IAEA Reach General Agreement on Pursuing Issues of Mutual Interest
2021-November-24
“In
addition to meeting with Vice-President and AEOI Head Mohammad Eslami, Mr.
(Rafael) Grossi (Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency)
also met with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian,” Kamalvandi told FNA.
"The
talks took place in a constructive atmosphere and the two sides reached a general
agreement on how to pursue issues of mutual interest," he added.
"Due
to the intensity of this trip, which took place on the eve of the (IAEA) Board
of Governors meeting, and due to the lack of time, the two sides agreed to
continue their consultations to complete the framework and details of continued
cooperation," Kamalvandi said.
Grossi
arrived in Tehran for meetings with top Iranian officials, days before the
resumption of high-profile talks in Vienna on the removal of the United States’
sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
He
said on Tuesday that he has held intensive talks with Iranian officials about
issues of mutual interest, and hoped for a positive result from the
negotiations.
“A
few months ago during my visit to Iran, we agreed with Mr. Eslami that we would
continue our joint work on transparency a few months later, as well as
continuation and deepening of talks with the new government in Iran and I am
proud to meet the Iranian foreign minister a few hours later,” Grossi said in a
joint press conference with Eslami in Tehran.
“Today's
talks were intensive and we are after continued negotiations to find common
grounds,” he added.
“There
are issues that we study with Mr. Eslami but our goal has been to define the
perspective of the nuclear program in a way that we can help production of
clean energies with respect to the climate changes and provide it to all. This
was an issue which was discussed in detail in Glasgow meeting a few days ago,”
Grossi said.
“We
are making efforts to reach positive results from today meeting,” he added.
During
the press conference, Eslami said that his country is determined to use
peaceful nuclear program to improve the Iranian people’s lives, adding that the
UN nuclear watchdog is due to help Tehran to this end.
“The
important point between us and the Agency is that issues between the two sides
are technical and (the assurance) that the Agency does not pay attention to the
political issues and the enemies' plots to influence the path of progress of
Iran’s nuclear program and is not influenced by them,” Eslami told reporters in
a joint press conference with Grossi in Tehran on Tuesday.
“Mr.
Grossi said several times today that they have witnessed no deviation in Iran’s
nuclear programs and Iran continues its nuclear activities based on treaties
and regulations,” he added.
Asked
about the allegations raised by enemies against Iran’s nuclear program in the
IAEA, Eslami said that they have been answered by Iran in the nuclear deal and
that the case has been closed.
“We
agreed today to end these issues and with the procedure that we will adopt,
which is still being negotiated, talks on them will not continue,” he added.
“Iran
is resolved in (developing) its nuclear program,” Eslami said, adding that the
country wants to use different aspects of nuclear technology for a better
living of the Iranian people and the IAEA will help Iran in this regard.
Also,
Amir Abdollahian in a meeting with Director-General of the International Atomic
Energy Agency Rafael Grossi called on the UN nuclear watchdog not to surrender
to attempts by certain countries to influence and pressure the IAEA.
During
the meeting on Tuesday, Amir Abdollahian underlined Iran's serious will to
engage constructively with the IAEA under the Safeguards Agreement, and
expressed the hope that mutual trust and cooperation would be further
strengthened during Grossi's visit.
The
Iranian foreign minister also referred to the importance of IAEA's technical,
professional, and impartial work, and underlined the need for the Agency to
ignore foreign political pressures.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
North America
US
will not ‘sit idly’ if Iran drags out nuclear talks: Rob Malley
24
November ,2021
The
United States will not “sit idly” on Iran if it drags its feet on returning to
a nuclear accord in talks resuming next week, the US special envoy said.
“If
they start getting too close, too close for comfort, then of course we will not
be prepared to sit idly,” US negotiator Rob Malley told National Public Radio
in excerpts released Tuesday.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Iran
will return to talks in Vienna with world powers on Monday after a five-month
gap following the election of an ultra-conservative president, Ebrahim Raisi.
The
negotiations come after the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency,
back from a visit to Iran, said there had been no progress in talks on disputes
over the country’s program.
President
Joe Biden’s administration opened the talks earlier this year in hopes of
returning the United States to a 2015 nuclear accord trashed by predecessor
Donald Trump, but has failed to reach an understanding with Iran.
“We’re
prepared to get back into the deal and to lift all of the sanctions that are
inconsistent with the deal. So if Iran wants to get back into the deal, it has
a way to do that,” Malley said.
“If
it doesn’t want to get back into the deal, if it continues to do what it
appears to be doing now, which is to drag its feet at the nuclear diplomatic
table and accelerate its pace when it comes to its nuclear program, if that’s
the path it chooses, we’ll have to respond accordingly.”
The
negotiations are being held indirectly, with an EU envoy shuttling between
Malley and the Iranian delegation, which refuses to meet the US representative
face-to-face.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
US
amends Syria sanctions rules to allow NGOs engage in transactions, activities
24
November ,2021
Aiming
to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, the United States
on Wednesday took action to let nongovernmental organizations deal with
elements of Syria’s government despite American sanctions and gave them wider
latitude in their activities.
The
US Treasury Department in a statement said it amended existing rules called the
Syrian Sanctions Regulations to expand the authorizations for NGOs to engage in
certain transactions and activities.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
It
also amended a general license for NGOs to enable them to take part in
additional transactions and activities in support of not-for-profit actions in
Syria including new investment, purchase of refined petroleum products of
Syrian origin for use in Syria and certain transactions with parts of the
government.
“The
US government prioritizes expanding humanitarian access throughout Syria to
alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, who continue to face armed
conflict, food insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Andrea Gacki, director of
the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in the statement.
The
department said the new transactions and activities in the amended general
license are authorized only in support of not-for-profit activities already
allowed such as humanitarian projects and democracy-building.
Former
President Donald Trump’s administration last June imposed sweeping US sanctions
targeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle to choke off
revenue for his government in a bid to force it back to UN-led negotiations and
broker an end to the country’s decade-long war.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Top
US military general for Middle East warns Iran
24
November ,2021
Iran
is “very close” to being able to develop a nuclear weapon, but the US military
has ways to prevent this from happening if diplomacy fails, the top US military
general for the Middle East said in an interview published Wednesday.
But
Iran does not have a warhead small enough to add to its ballistic missiles yet,
CENTCOM Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie told TIME.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“They’re
very close this time,” McKenzie said. “I think they like the idea of being able
to break out,” he added.
And
although the US is pursuing diplomacy as a way to curb Iran’s nuclear
ambitions, McKenzie said the military stood ready to act if called upon.
“The
diplomats are in the lead on this, but [US CENTCOM] always has a variety of
plans that we could execute, if directed,” he warned.
Diplomats
from the US and Iran are expected to resume indirect talks next week on the
now-defunct 2015 nuclear deal in Vienna next week.
Talks
stalled after six rounds following the election of a new Iranian government.
On
Tuesday, US Special Envoy for Iran Rob Malley cautioned against more stalling.
“If
it doesn’t want to get back into the deal, if it continues to do what it
appears to be doing now, which is to drag its feet at the nuclear diplomatic
table and accelerate its pace when it comes to its nuclear program, if that’s
the path it chooses, we’ll have to respond accordingly,” Malley told the
National Public Radio.
Iran
has also been engaged in other malign activities throughout the Middle East and
other parts of the world.
Militias
backed by Tehran continue to target US bases and forces in and around the
region.
On
Tuesday, a CENTCOM official told Al Arabiya English that rocket attacks
targeted US-led Coalition bases in Syria. No injuries or damages were reported,
but drones and other missile attacks have come close to bases in Syria and
Iraq.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/taliban-afghanistan-economy-cannabis/d/125840
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism