Pakistan in Hurry to Recognize, Boost the Caretaker "Islamic Emirate “In Afghanistan
New Age Islam News Bureau
17 September 2021
• Pakistan Prime Minister Says, ‘Afghanistan Can't Be
'Controlled From Outside'
• Victorious, Taliban Face Fierce New Test in Keeping
the Peace within Their Own Ranks In Afghanistan
• Those Who Defend Democracy in Afghanistan, Oppose
Taliban Will Be Suppressed: Taliban Army Chief
• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Must Strengthen
Network among Moderate Institutions Associated With Islam: Modi
Pakistan
Pakistan in Hurry to Recognize, Boost the Caretaker
"Islamic Emirate “In Afghanistan
• Pakistan Prime Minister Says, ‘Afghanistan Can't Be
'Controlled From Outside'
• Afghanistan Refugee Crisis Threatens To Prolong Amid
Pakistan Playing Ball with Taliban, Says Expert
• Taliban must fulfil promises made in Afghanistan,
says PM at SCO summit
• Saudi Ambassador, Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman
Meeting: ‘Islamabad, Riyadh Have Unanimous Stance on Islamic World Issues’
• Leaked ECP letter to Nadra over internet voting
sparks controversy
--------
South
Asia
• Victorious, Taliban Face Fierce New Test in Keeping
the Peace within Their Own Ranks In Afghanistan
• Those Who Defend Democracy in Afghanistan, Oppose
Taliban Will Be Suppressed: Taliban Army Chief
• China, Pakistan In Rush to Exploit Weakening Afghan
Economy: Report
• Taliban's Senior Leader Anas Haqqani Denies Reports
of Rifts within Taliban Leadership
• Afghan finance ministry working on getting public
sector salaries paid
--------
India
• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Must Strengthen
Network among Moderate Institutions Associated With Islam: Modi
• Kerala Church Sparks Row Mentioning 'Love Jihad' In
Students' Handbook; Expresses Regret After Protest
• Narcotic jihad: Leaders make beeline for Pala
bishop’s house extending support
• Kerala Congress takes mantle of settling ‘love jihad
and narcotic jihad’ row, meets religious heads
• Congress ally Muslim League calls for caste-based
census in Kerala
• J&K Govt staffers with terror-related kin,
co-habitants to get adverse verification report
• Take Note of Pak-Backed J&K Groups In US, Biden Govt
Told
--------
Europe
• Putin says Russia needs to work with the Taliban
• France to be 'especially careful' about Taliban's
links with terror groups: Macron
• Islamic State's Greater Sahara Boss Al-Sahrawi
Killed By French Forces in Sahel Region
• German police prevent 'Islamist-motivated threat' on
synagogue, says minister
• Macron calls death of leader in Islamic State in
Sahara a 'major success' for France
• Dutch foreign minister resigns over Afghanistan
crisis
• Unfreeze Afghanistan assets abroad, neighbour
Uzbekistan says
• Afghanistan G20 meeting to be held after UN
assembly: Italy’s Foreign Minister
• Germany arrests 4 for alleged terror attack plot on
synagogue
--------
Arab
World
• UAE, UK announce ‘Partnership for the Future’, new
era of bilateral ties
• UAE, UK ink $10 billion deal during Abu Dhabi Crown
Prince State visit
• Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s visit to the UK: ‘A
friendship for the next 50 years’
• Egypt's Al-Azhar reiterates centrality of
Palestinian cause to Muslims
• Lebanon raises gasoline prices by over 37 pct amid
crippling shortages of supplies
• Lebanon’s finance minister signs new forensic audit
contract
• US State Department approves $500 mln military deal
with Saudi Arabia
• EU lawmakers call for Lebanon sanctions if Mikati’s
government fails
--------
Southeast
Asia
• China’s President Xi: Afghanistan should eradicate
terrorism
• On Malaysia Day, Sarawak CM vows to reject any
attempts against religious freedom
• Jawi: Friday prayers allowed in KL, Putrajaya
mosques with up to 500 congregants
• Kelantan Islamic Religious Council allows 40
congregants for Friday, obligatory prayers from tomorrow
• Covid-19: Tabung Haji says ready to manage pilgrims’
health, safety for next Haj season
--------
Mideast
• Official: India Seriously Seeking Extensive Ties
with Iran
• FM: Iran Interested in Further Expansion of Economic
Ties with S. Africa
• Amnesty condemns ‘climate of impunity’ over Iran
custody deaths
• Envoy: Origin of Contamination Declared by IAEA
Unknown to Iran
• Iran Reiterates Support for Lebanon, Readiness to
Help
• Ambassador: Iran Wants Removal of Sanctions in
Action
• Iran arrests rapper who blasted ‘regime apologists’:
Rights group
• Yemen president renews support to UN-led effort to
end war in Yemen
• Houthi militia group arrested for assassination plot
on government military officials
--------
Africa
• Boko Haram targets military convoy in Nigeria, kills
12 soldiers
• Somali president suspends premier’s power to hire,
fire officials
• Somalia’s regional leaders urge end to power
struggle
• Egypt’s President Sisi pushes for December elections
in Libya
• Haftar’s eastern forces and Chadian rebels clash in
southern Libya
--------
North
America
• US Treasury sanctions five Turkey-based al-Qaeda
facilitators
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
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Pakistan in Hurry to Recognize, Boost the Caretaker "Islamic Emirate “In Afghanistan
17 September 2021
Kabul [Afghanistan], September 17 (ANI): While the other stakeholders are restraining themselves to recognise the new Taliban regime in Afghanistan, Pakistan is in a hurry to somehow recognize and boost the caretaker "Islamic Emirate".
Paul Antonopoulos, writing in Greek City Times said
that the Pakistani minister openly promoted the Taliban regime, while the
official line is that recognizing the new regime should come only after the
conditions that the Taliban themselves have assured, are actually met.
The Taliban had promised an inclusive government that
would have representatives from non-Taliban, especially ethnic minorities and
women.
An informal agreement had been reached for not
resuming international flights to Kabul until these conditions were met. But
Pakistan is seen as having breached it by sending the first PIA (Pakistan
International Airlines) flight on September 13, and publicising it, reported
Greek City Times.
While Pakistan officially insists on preconditions,
the unofficial argument is made through the media.
Dawn newspaper, for example, has argued in its
editorial that a world that has "no qualms" in dealing with Saudi
Arabia, should not be insisting upon the nascent Kabul regime.
The unstated part of the argument is that Saudi Arabia
is a monarchy that has all types of restrictions on its people in terms of
religion and democratic norms.
This reference to Saudi Arabia, a leading Islamic
nation, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member and the highest seat
of Islam is significant, says Antonopoulos.
While the OIC has not taken a stand, so far, Riyadh
has issued a statement that does not seek the Taliban to be inclusive or
includes women in their government.
This is also a possible effort to go past Qatar, a
rival of Riyadh, which has become the most important hub of all diplomatic and
political activity on the Afghanistan front for several months now, says
Antonopoulos.
The Turkish ambassador's remarks about the Taliban
government also need to be seen in that light - that the provisional government
is "not inclusive", that it does not have non-Taliban individuals and
that other ethnic groups are not included.
A relatively liberal Turkey, when compared to Saudi
Arabia and other countries in the Islamic world, also talks of including women
and of "human rights", reported Greek City Times.
Every country is acting as per its own perceptions and
interests, but an 'inclusive' government is the common point of all.
The unstated part here is the fear of inciting anger
and disapproval of the US, the European Union and influential countries like
Australia, Canada, Japan and others, besides the United Nations.
The Kabul government includes several persons who are
proscribed by the UN, the US, the EU, and the Taliban as a group itself stands
labelled as a 'terrorist' body through formal resolutions.
Removing the label and the restrictions and sanctions
that it carries would take much conferring, consensus-building and hence, time,
says Antonopoulos. (ANI)
Source: Yahoo News
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pakistan-hurry-recognize-boost-taliban-013038064.html
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Pakistan Prime Minister Says, ‘Afghanistan Can't Be
'Controlled From Outside'
Sep 17, 2021
From L: Kyrgyz President
Sooronbai Jeenbekov, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Imran
Khan pose for a photo prior to a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation Council of Heads of State in Bishkek. — AFP
------
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on
Friday said Afghanistan could not be "controlled from the outside"
and that Islamabad will continue to support the war-torn neighbouring country
even as he urged the Taliban to fulfil the promises they have made. Addressing
the 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State (SCO-CHS)
Summit in Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe, Khan highlighted the need to mobilise
international support for an immediate humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan
which is now ruled by the Taliban.
"We must remember that the Afghan government is
primarily depended on foreign aid," he was quoted as saying by the Dawn
newspaper.
"The Taliban must fulfil the promises they have
made.
"Pakistan has a vital interest in a peaceful and
stable Afghanistan and will continue to lend its support," Khan said,
adding that Afghanistan could not be "controlled from the outside".
The eight-member SCO grouping of China, Russia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan is holding
its 21st summit at Dushanbe.
Afghanistan is an observer in the SCO.
The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15,
two weeks before the US' complete troop withdrawal on August 31 after a costly
two-decade war. This forced Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country
to the UAE.
The Taliban insurgents stormed across Afghanistan and
captured all major cities in a matter of days, as Afghan security forces
trained and equipped by the US and its allies melted away.
Thousands of Afghan nationals and foreigners have fled
the country to escape the new Taliban regime and to seek asylum in different
nations, including the US and many European nations, resulting in total chaos
and deaths.
Source: Times of India
--------
Victorious, Taliban Face Fierce New Test In Keeping
The Peace Within Their Own Ranks In Afghanistan
Sep 17, 2021
KABUL: Having conquered Afghanistan, the Taliban now
face the formidable task of keeping the peace within their own ranks and
running a country on the brink of ruin, experts say.
To outsiders, the hardliners may appear homogenous and
united on all ideological and strategic matters.
But like any other large political organisation, the
decades-old Islamist group has its divisions, rivalries, allegiances and
factions.
The fissures were largely kept in check during the
20-year effort to defeat US-led foreign troops and a Kabul government widely
reviled as corrupt.
With that common enemy vanquished, just weeks into
Taliban rule, the group's divisions appear to be coming into sharper relief.
On Monday, rumours that a shootout between rival
factions at the presidential palace had killed co-founder and now deputy prime
minister Abdul Ghani Baradar forced him to release an audio message stating he
was still alive.
Before that, the naming of an interim government laid
bare the group's political tensions and perhaps sowed the seeds for future
troubles, according to Niamatullah Ibrahimi, an Afghanistan expert at
Australia's La Trobe University.
Major roles were divided up between the Taliban's old
guard from their spiritual birthplace Kandahar -- including Baradar -- and the
Haqqanis, a family-based grouping with ties to Al-Qaeda and Pakistan's powerful
Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency.
Under the first Taliban regime in the 1990s, the
Kandahar faction had been dominant -- but many of the group's recent military
successes have been down to the Haqqanis.
"We really shouldn't underestimate the power of
the Haqqanis," Ibrahimi says.
"They have been the more sophisticated part of
the movement militarily, maintaining important linkages with Al-Qaeda and
Pakistan's ISI, but also having its own distinctive power base in
Afghanistan."
Family scion Sirajuddin Haqqani -- branded a terrorist
by the United States and the target of a $10 million bounty for his arrest --
took control of the interior ministry, which will set the tone for Taliban
rule.
He is a "natural choice" for the role, according
to Graeme Smith, a senior consultant at the International Crisis Group.
"He organised some of the Taliban's most elite
fighting units," he says.
But Haqqani's appointment has also made it even more
difficult for Western governments to recognise the Taliban government or
release Afghanistan's central bank reserves frozen in the United States.
Failure to secure that money and foreign acceptance
could be seen as a blow for Baradar, a key player in talks with the West
leading up to the US pullout from Afghanistan.
Without foreign recognition, the Taliban would be
hard-pressed to manage what the UN has called an "economic crisis" in
Afghanistan and a looming "humanitarian catastrophe".
Rivalries between factions could pose further problems
with Afghanistan's neighbours, experts say.
Outsiders and Taliban groups from western Afghanistan,
including those with links to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, were largely
excluded from the government.
"The Taliban have decided against an inclusive
cabinet, ignoring requests from prominent Afghan politicians and regional
states to include non-Taliban figures in their senior ranks," Smith says.
"This is good for Taliban cohesion, and will
appeal to Taliban supporters, but risks alienating other Afghans and the
international community."
Ibrahimi says regional powers like Iran or Russia
could very well return to funding proxy groups to secure their interests.
It is "a recipe for violent conflict or
resistance by others", he says.
"(It) creates opportunities for exploitation by
regional powers who are not going to be happy with them."
Source: Times of India
--------
Those Who Defend Democracy in Afghanistan, Oppose
Taliban Will Be Suppressed: Taliban Army Chief
Sep 16, 2021
KABUL: Taliban-led government's acting army Chief Qari
Fasihuddin on Wednesday said that those who defend democracy in Afghanistan and
oppose the Taliban will be suppressed.
Fasihuddin also said that they will also suppress all
who defend the gains of the past two decades under the name of specific ethnic
groups or resistance in Afghanistan
Fasihuddin did not mention any group's name, but he
was probably referring to the resistance front led by Ahmad Masoud in
Afghanistan's Panjshir province, which was defeated by the Taliban after 15
days, reported The Khaama Press.
The resistance front was created by former
vice-president Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Masoud, son of Ahmad Shah Masoud.
Fasihuddin said that 'these people' are disturbing the
security of the country and intend to cause bloodshed in Afghanistan, reported
The Khaama Press.
He announced on Wednesday that the Taliban-led
government is also working to form a 'regular' army and the plan to form one
will be finalised soon.
Source: Times of India
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Shanghai Cooperation Organisation must strengthen
network among moderate institutions associated with Islam: Modi
September 17, 2021
Addressing the summit of leaders of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation in Dushanbe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday
warned of the risks of radicalisation in the Central Asian region.
Speaking virtually, Modi observed, "I believe
biggest challenges in region are related to peace, security and trust deficit.
Root cause of problems facing region is increasing radicalisation. Recent
developments in Afghanistan have made challenge posed by radicalisation more
clear."
Calling for strengthening institutions associated with
Islam, Modi said, "SCO should work to develop strong network among
moderate, tolerant and inclusive institutions and traditions associated with
Islam". Modi observed, "Fight against radicalisation is not only
needed for regional security and trust but also to ensure bright future of
youth."
Emphasising the attractiveness of India as a market,
Modi said, "India is committed to increasing its connectivity with Central
Asia. We believe that landlocked Central Asian countries can benefit immensely
by connecting with India's vast market".
Modi cautioned, "Any connectivity initiative
cannot be a one-way street; connectivity projects should be consultative,
transparent and participatory."
Source: The Week
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Pakistan
Afghanistan refugee crisis threatens to prolong amid
Pakistan playing ball with Taliban, says expert
Sep 17, 2021
KABUL: With Pakistan playing the ball with the
Taliban, the refugee crisis in Afghanistan post-Taliban threatens to prolong
and needs continued focus.
Fabien Baussart, in a blog post in The Times of
Israel, said that with solid action in the form of pressures on Kabul and
Islamabad authorities should work to resolve it and not try to suppress it.
A humanitarian crisis of gigantic proportions is
unfolding in the landlocked nation even as a shocked and surprised world
community struggles to come to terms with the country's takeover by the
Taliban.
It is accentuated because the new rulers, while giving
verbal assurances of safety, are hunting down people who oppose them, on the
streets and from their homes, says Baussart.
An equally big contributor to the crisis is the role
of Pakistan that has the largest border with Afghanistan, but will not open it
to the fleeing Afghans.
The near-complete fencing of the border is now being
compounded by closing the check-posts and physically deporting those who manage
to cross over.
The new refugees are clearly forced and coerced, not
allowed to stay even overnight and are handed over across to the Afghan border
authorities, reported The Times of Israel.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on
September 5 said in Quetta that there were no refugee camps and none was being
planned.
Three days later, Dawn newspaper reported from the
same city that 200 Afghans - families with children - who crossed over from
Spin Boldak and Chaman were deported back and the Afghan authorities, in turn,
drove them back into the interior.
This is "unlawful forced mass return,"
according to Human Rights Watch. There is no surprise in this course of action
that is bound to be repeated as Afghans desperately try to flee their country.
That part of the Afghan-Pak border was under the
Taliban control long before they took Kabul, and elaborate preparations were
made well in advance to mutual advantage.
The Pakistan authorities had made clear assertions in
that regard since May this year, even as the Taliban's military campaign gained
momentum, says Baussart.
Dr Olszewska of the HRW has noted that "the
current partial border closure is two-way, as the Taliban have closed the border
on their side in Spin Boldak to pressure Pakistan to ease some of its
restrictions. It is vital that the border is opened for humanitarian aid to
enter Afghanistan and for people wishing to leave to be able to do so."
But Pakistan has been unrelenting and has made clear
its plans to not add to the estimated 300,000 Afghan nationals staying there
for long. The government has officially cited 'security' concerns while
analysts and media reports indicate fears of an influx of drugs and arms,
besides humans caused by the conflict in Afghanistan, says Baussart.
But humanitarian crisis it remains, whatever the
concerns that are echoed, with much less intensity though, along Afghanistan's
borders with Iran and Central Asia. Pakistan remains the principal hub.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Times of India
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Taliban must fulfil promises made in Afghanistan, says
PM at SCO summit
Naveed Siddiqui
September 17, 2021
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that the
Taliban must fulfill the promises they have made in Afghanistan, and called on
the international community to stand with the people of the war-torn country.
The premier expressed these views while addressing the
20th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State (SCO-CHS)
Summit in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, National
Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry were also
present alongside the premier.
"The Taliban must fulfill the pledges made, above
all for an inclusive political structure where all ethnic groups are
represented. This is vital for Afghanistan’s stability," he said.
The prime minister said that it was also important to
ensure respect for the rights of all Afghans while ensuring that it is never
again a safe haven for terrorists.
He said that Pakistan, which had suffered due to the
spillover of conflict and instability in the neighbouring country, had an
interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
"We will continue to support a stable, sovereign
and prosperous Afghanistan," he said.
Commenting on the situation in Afghanistan, PM Imran
said that a "new reality" had been established after the Taliban
takeover and withdrawal of foreign troops.
"That all this happened without bloodshed,
without civil war, and without a mass exodus of refugees, should be a matter of
relief.
"It is now in the international community’s
collective interest to ensure that there is no renewed conflict in Afghanistan
and the security situation is stabilised."
The prime minister said that preventing a humanitarian
crisis and an economic meltdown were "equally urgent priorities".
"We must remember that the previous government
depended heavily on foreign aid and its removal could lead to economic
collapse," he said, adding that now was the moment to stand with the
Afghans "firmly and unequivocally".
He commended the United Nations secretary general and
UN agencies for mobilising support for humanitarian assistance, and said that
Pakistan was also playing its part in aiding evacuation efforts and providing
support.
"Going forward, we believe positive engagement of
the international community with Afghanistan is extremely important.
"There is a rare opportunity to finally end the
40 years of war in Afghanistan. This moment should not be squandered," he
said.
He said that it would be unwise to spread negativity
or indulge in propaganda at this critical juncture. "This will only serve
to undermine the prospects for peace."
'Threats posed by terrorism still exist'
PM Imran said that as the world marked the 20th
anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the US, it was reminded that threats
posed by terrorism still persist despite the international community's best
efforts.
"Associating one religion with terrorism has
enabled far right, populist and supremacist groups around the world to
propagate, multiply and accumulate influence.
"In some cases, such extremist and bigoted
ideologies have ascended to capture the state power in so-called democracies.
"The fight against terror would not be won if we
ignore these threats and challenges — the biggest of which is state terrorism,
perpetrated against people living under foreign occupation in disputed
territories," he said.
He highlighted that Pakistan had suffered for decades
due to terrorism that was "planned, supported, financed and orchestrated
by state entities from across our border".
"Outside active zones of conflict, no other
country has suffered more than Pakistan. We have suffered over 80,000
casualties and economic losses in excess of $150 billion.
"Yet, our resolve remains strong. We will
continue to be a reliable and willing partner of the international community in
the fight against terrorism and extremism," he said.
PM Imran said that addressing threats to international
and regional peace was a topic of vital interest for the SCO.
"We believe that implementation of the UN
Security Council (UNSC) resolutions for the peaceful settlement of outstanding
disputes is a necessary condition for peace, and indispensible for creating an
environment of cooperation.
"Unilateral and illegal measures to change the
status of disputed territories in violation of UNSC resolutions run counter to
this objective."
He said that such measures must be condemned and
opposed firmly.
Shift to geoeconomics
The premier also highlighted that sustainable peace
and stability in Afghanistan will ultimately benefit the region, adding that
the government had shifted its focus from geopolitics to geoeconomics.
"Our new economic security paradigm has three
central pillars: peace, development partnerships, and connectivity."
He said that Pakistan offered the shortest route to
the sea for many of its partners in Central Asia, and commended the Uzbekistan
president for hosting a conference on regional connectivity in Tashkent last
July.
"There is no doubt that the web of rail, road,
sea and air links across the SCO region will usher in a new era of enhanced
trade, energy flows, and people-to-people exchanges.
"This hard and soft connectivity will contribute
significantly to progress and prosperity in the region and beyond," he
said, adding that these linkages will be reinforced by the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Dawn
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Saudi Ambassador, Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman
Meeting: ‘Islamabad, Riyadh Have Unanimous Stance on Islamic World Issues’
September 17, 2021
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia's Ambassador in Pakistan Nawaf
bin Saeed Al-Malki has said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a clear and
unanimous stance on the issues of the Islamic world.
“There is always a consensus between the leadership
and the people of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on the issues of the Islamic
world,” he said. He was talking to Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman and Special
Representative to Prime Minister for Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz
Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, who called on him here.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: The News
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Leaked ECP letter to Nadra over internet voting sparks
controversy
Iftikhar A. Khan
September 17, 2021
ISLAMABAD: The leak of a letter written by the
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to the National Database and Registration
Authority (Nadra) over internet voting has sparked a new controversy.
The letter reveals that Nadra intends to engage the
ECP in a new contract amounting to Rs2.4 billion for the development of an
i-voting system, though the existing agreement still holds the field.
“ECP is of the view that in the first instance, Nadra
may inform the fate of the previous project that why Nadra is going to abandon
the previous system and on what grounds and on which considerable sum of money
equal to Rs66,500,000 has been already dispensed with,” reads the letter, a
copy of which is available with Dawn.
“Nadra may also inform that in the presence of an
existing system with similar output, why should ECP go for a new contract
amounting to Rs2.4 billion? If the existing system has some loopholes or
deficiencies, then who is responsible for those deficiencies and whether these
could/would be removed? Has Nadra fixed the responsibility on anyone,” it
reads.
The ECP’s information technology wing in its letter,
written to the Nadra chairman in response to Nadra’s letter followed by a
reminder, reiterated that the commission being a constitutional entity “shall
discharge its constitutional obligation as per Article 218 (3) of the
Constitution”.
Commission issues notices to ministers over diatribe
against it, CEC
“Further, the responsibility and execution of any new
methodology is the primary and sole responsibility of ECP, for which it stands
committed, provided the technology is implementable and practical in the given
timeframe,” the letter reads.
The ECP has also expressed dismay over the general
tone and tenor used, particularly in para-1 (h) of the letter dated Aug 20,
2021, issued by Nadra saying that the “ECP should consider progressing
positively on Nadra’s proposed system at the earliest; otherwise, there might
be unwanted and uncalled for delays”.
“The language used in the letter is leading to the
impression that ECP is a subordinate body of Nadra, which is trying to dictate
a constitutional body, which may be avoided in future correspondence,” the ECP
asserts.
When contacted, a senior Nadra official disclosed that
the i-voting system used earlier was developed to be piloted by the ECP in four
by-elections for 38 constituencies in 2018.
He said it was the ECP’s own decision to use the
system only in two by-elections in 2018. During that exercise, he added, the
role of Nadra was to provide technical support to the ECP, whereas using the i-voting
system was the sole discretion of the commission.
The official said the i-voting system was already in
place and currently in the custody of the ECP. “As per the contractual
obligations, the ECP was supposed to release the long outstanding Rs28.5 million
to Nadra,” he claimed.
He said that in a bid to ensure accountability and
transparency, Nadra chairman Tariq Malik had proposed a strategy and plan for a
new i-voting system as per the guidelines laid down by the government, federal
cabinet, president, ECP, parliamentary committee, international auditors and
other stakeholders.
“Through the new proposed system, Nadra will assist
the ECP in developing its independent infrastructure, data centre with
dedicated servers, non-Nadra dependent network, third-party software and human
resource capacity building. Election Commission will be independent of
conducting i-voting for overseas Pakistanis. Nadra’s servers and computers will
not be used in this system,” the official explained.
He said Nadra had urged the ECP to progress positively
on the proposed system so as to meet the project plan timelines as per
expectations of all stakeholders.
ECP notices to ministers
Meanwhile, the ECP issued notices to two federal
ministers, seeking explanation over their diatribe against the commission and
the chief election commissioner (CEC).
Informed sources told Dawn that Information Minister
Fawad Chaudhry and Railways Minister Azam Swati have been asked to provide
evidence to substantiate their allegations and given seven days to submit a
reply.
Azam Swati had last week accused the ECP of receiving
“bribes and always rigging polls” and asserted that such institutions should be
“set ablaze”.
The remarks were made by Mr Swati during a meeting of
the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs held to discuss two
controversial election-related bills and came only days after the ECP raised 37
objections to the federal government’s plan to introduce electronic voting
machines (EVMs) in the next general elections.
Later in the day, Fawad Chaudhry accused the ECP of
becoming “opposition’s headquarters” and alleged that the CEC was acting as a
“mouthpiece of the opposition”. He said the CEC should not become a tool in the
hands of small political parties. He alleged that the CEC had played politics
of ‘stupid’ objections to electronic voting machines. “If they want to do
politics, then response will come,” he added.
The information minister said it was not the entire
ECP that was opposed to the government’s proposals, but “the chief election
commissioner is more interested in acting as a mouthpiece of the opposition”.
He alleged it was possible that the CEC had “personal sympathies” for the PML-N
supremo due to his close connections with the latter.
The tirade by the ministers against the ECP and CEC
ignited a heated controversy, with the opposition leaders slamming the
ministers and supporting the position taken by the ECP against introduction of
EVMs in haste.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Dawn
https://www.dawn.com/news/1646764/leaked-ecp-letter-to-nadra-over-internet-voting-sparks-controversy
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South Asia
China, Pakistan In Rush To Exploit Weakening Afghan
Economy: Report
Sep 17, 2021
KABUL: China and Pakistan are in rush to exploit the
Afghan economy as both have announced certain luring benefits for Afghanistan,
which will largely benefit the former and latter in near future, a media report
said on Thursday.
War-torn Afghanistan is going through immense
financial difficulties. And the new rulers are not experienced to confront the
intricate economic issues that the impoverished country is facing.
The former chief of Afghanistan's central bank had
also fled the country leaving the financial decision in disarray. However,
recently the Taliban had appointed a new chief.
Most of the Afghan officials who are dealing with
financial issues now have dual citizenship and have ample reasons to be wary of
incurring the wrath of the new authorities that could extend to their families,
news website InsideOver reported on Thursday.
Any initiative, even by way of floating ideas or
discussion, without action, can be risky. This opens the prospects of Pakistani
officials, like the military that had helped the Taliban achieve victory last
month, may get drafted to run, or guide, the running of the Afghan economy, at
least for some time, according to InsideOver.
In an attempt to take advantage of the situation,
Islamabad and Beijing have already chalked out plans. The initial step was
taken by Islamabad as recently, it announced to trade with Afghanistan in
Pakistani rupee.
Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin cited as the reason the
dollars crunch in Kabul. He also offered to help the Taliban to fill the
technical positions left vacant due to the recent evacuations.
The communist regime also started luring the Taliban.
Recently, China -- the country known to lend money easily -- has committed USD
31 million to get the Afghan economy moving. In return, the Taliban have also
shown interest in tie-up with China's BRI.
When other countries are deciding whether they should
recognise the Taliban's interim government, Beijing and Islamabad have begun to
act on financial issues related to Afghanistan.
However, in all these developments, China seems to be
a larger beneficiary as the Pakistani economy and currency are already
dependent on China. And since 2018, Islamabad largely started trading with
Beijing in Chinese currency Yuan, making much of the Sino-Pak trade Yuan-based,
raising the prospects of three-way dovetailing of the economies, IndsideOver
said.
In this, being the strongest currency the Chinese Yuan
will be benefitted in large while it will allow a measure of advantage to the
other two.
Pakistan seems to be benefitted, acting as the
middleman and cornering resources by way of transit and facilitation charges.
But, currently, the Pakistani economy is in perpetual crisis and runs a huge
deficit in terms of debt servicing, among other indicators.
On Wednesday, the Pakistani rupee hit an all-time low
of Rs 169.94 against the US dollar in the inter-bank market.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Times of India
--------
Taliban's Senior Leader Anas Haqqani Denies Reports Of
Rifts Within Taliban Leadership
Sep 17, 2021
KABUL: The Taliban have denied the reports of rifts
within its leadership as rumours emerged of a brawl between the group's rival
factions at Presidential Palace after the announcement of the interim
government in Kabul.
The Taliban's senior leader Anas Haqqani has refuted
the rumours.
In a tweet, Haqqani said, "The Islamic Emirate is
a united front which highly respects single line of Islamic values (Islamism)
and Afghani values (Afghanism). We are all United in bringing peace, prosperity
and stability to our beloved #Afghanistan."
Rumours had been circulating -- and widely shared on
social media -- that the Taliban's interim deputy prime minister Mullah Abdul
Ghani Baradar had come to harm during a dispute between factions of the Taliban
and the powerful Haqqani network, which holds key positions in Afghanistan's
interim government.
Baradar first refuted the claims in an audio clip on
Monday, but no video or images were forthcoming then, reported CNN.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Times of India
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Afghan finance ministry working on getting public
sector salaries paid
17 September ,2021
Afghanistan’s government is working on resolving a
series of problems that have held up salaries for public sector workers, the
finance ministry said on Thursday, as the new Taliban administration struggles
to restart the stalled economy.
Even before the movement seized Kabul last month, many
public sector workers said they had not been paid for weeks and with banks
imposing strict limits on cash withdrawals while prices for basic necessities
rise, many face serious hardship.
The ministry said “technical problems” had led to a
delay in paying salaries but special teams were working on resolving payroll
issues as quickly as possible.
“Respected staff of the public administration can
continue their work without any kind of worry,” the ministry said in a
statement on its Facebook page.
The statement contained no further details and it was
not clear when salaries might be paid. It came as the new government grapples
with a severe shortage of cash, with more than $9 billion in reserves held
outside Afghanistan still blocked.
The International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday
that Afghanistan faced a “looming humanitarian crisis” but its funding to the
country remains on hold.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Al Arabiya
--------
India
Kerala Church Sparks Row Mentioning 'Love Jihad' In
Students' Handbook; Expresses Regret After Protest
16 Sep 2021
Even before the raging controversy over the scathing
'narcotic jihad' remark by Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt pacified, another
church diocese in Keerala fuelled a separate controversy by delineating nine
stages of the implementation of the alleged 'love jihad' in a handbook made for
students of classes X to XII.
The book containing controversial content was
published bythe Thamarassery Diocese, under the prominent Syro Malabar Church.
When the book triggered a row after various Muslim
outfits asked the government to confiscate it, the church authorities expressed
regret on Wednesday and clarified that they did not intend to hurt any religion
or faith and aimed only to keep the youth rooted in the Christianity.
The Diocese has no discrimination or intolerance
towards any faith or religion, the statement said.
"This book has been published not out of any
hatred or objection towards any religion. It is only aimed at keeping the
Christian youth rooted in the faith and to protect the community girls from
exploitation," Fr John Pallikkavayalil, Director, Department of Catechesis
under the Diocese, said.
As per the over-130-page handbook, brought out by the
Department of Catechesis under the Diocese, love jihad is a reality and claimed
that it is being implemented through nine stages.
It also prescribes some precautions for the community
girls to be taken to avoid falling into such love traps.
Among the several controversial remarks, the handbook
had references about 'kaivisham', a kind of witchcraft allegedly practised
through Muslim clerics to lure Christian girls.
It alleged that black magic was being carried out by
collecting various objects possessed by the girls including their pen,
handkerchief or a strand of hair.
Though the Diocese, in its press statement, urged to
keep a vigil on attempts to destroy communal harmony, it also said that they
had been receiving several complaints of "sex terrorism" targeting
Christian girls for some time.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Outlook India
--------
Narcotic jihad: Leaders make beeline for Pala bishop’s
house extending support
17th September 2021
KOTTAYAM: With the row over Pala Bishop Mar Joseph
Kallarangatt’s ‘love jihad and narcotic jihad’ remarks refusing to die down,
political leaders are making a beeline for the bishop’s house to extend their
support to him.
The day began with the visit of BJP leader and Rajya
Sabha member Suresh Gopi around 8.45am. He held discussions with the bishop for
nearly an hour. After the visit, Suresh Gopi said Mar Kallarangatt didn’t make
any communal remarks.
“He didn’t mention any particular religion, but might
have referred to some activities (of some persons). When speaking about
terrorism, why does a section of people say they are being targeted?” he asked.
Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K Mani arrived at
the bishop’s house by 3pm and held discussions with the bishop. Jose said
though he couldn’t meet the bishop as he was out of station, he was in frequent
contact with the latter in view of the controversies over the ‘narcotic jihad’
comments.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: New Indian Express
--------
Kerala Congress takes mantle of settling ‘love jihad
and narcotic jihad’ row, meets religious heads
17th September 2021
KOTTAYAM: In a swift political move, the Congress has
taken the initiative to address the issues created by the ‘love jihad and
narcotic jihad’ remarks of Pala Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt. Putting the LDF
and state government in a spot, Congress state president K Sudhakaran and
Opposition leader V D Satheesan on Thursday visited various Christian and
Muslim leaders as part of finding an amicable resolution to the issues raised
by the Pala bishop.
With the move, Congress not only aims to expose the
government’s failure in addressing the concerns of the Church and ensuing controversies
but also to scuttle BJP’s attempt to cash in on the opportunity to make inroads
into the Christian vote base.
Sudhakaran and Satheesan visited jointly Changanassery
Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam in the morning and Kerala Muslim Youth Federation
president and Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid imam Shamsuddeen Mannani Ilavupalam in
the afternoon and held discussions.
In the afternoon, Sudhakaran visited Mar Kallarangatt
at Pala, while Satheesan met CSI Central Kerala diocese Bishop Dr Malayil Sabu
Koshy Cherian in Kottayam. Though
Sudhakaran said the visits were not part of finding a consensus on the issues
raised by the Pala bishop, the party’s intention was clear.
“We had twice demanded the government to convene a
reconciliation meeting and resolve the issues. However, the chief minister
ignored the demand. Hence, we have take the initiative to protect secularism
and communal harmony, which is the responsibility of the Congress. With this
objective, we met various religious heads. We are trying to find a resolution
to the issues,” he said.
Earlier speaking after visiting the Changanassery
archbishop, Sudhakaran accused the government of not initiating steps for
arriving at a consensus in the matter. The Congress leadership has decided to
visit religious heads taking moral responsibility to settle the issues and the
leaders have responded positively to the initiatives, he added.
League not against talks on remarks: Kunhalikutty
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: New Indian Express
--------
Congress ally Muslim League calls for caste-based
census in Kerala
SEP 17, 2021
Thiruvananthapuram: The Muslim League, a partner in
the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), on Thursday sought a
caste-based census in Kerala and asked the state government to formulate a
consensus on this regard. This is the first time a political party is seeking
caste-based census in the state.
Talking to mediapersons in Kozhikode (north Kerala), party
leader KP A Majeed said there is no point in deferring the social reality and
the party will first raise this in the next UDF meeting and later take it up
with the government. He said the present reservation system was based on an old
census and there are complaints that only a section of the backward classes are
enjoying the benefit of reservation.
Recently, Bihar assembly had passed a unanimous
resolution and later an all-party team had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi
seeking his intervention. Later, Bihar chief minister Nitish Yadav said he was
optimistic and the Centre would take a speedy decision.
“We feel in Kerala too it should be done. As long as
reservation continues it is a natural process and we can’t postpone it like
this. It will help some of the most backward classes which failed to get the
benefits,” he said. When asked whether such an exercise will aggravate
simmering social tension he said parties can’t run away from reality for long.
He said the state government should talk to all parties and social organisation
to reach a consensus.
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of the original story:
Source: Hindustan Times
--------
J&K Govt staffers with terror-related kin,
co-habitants to get adverse verification report
Sep 17, 2021
NEW DELHI: Tightening scrutiny on its staffers with
possible terror links, Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday ordered
that the involvement of an employee's immediate family or one sharing
residential space, in any anti-national act, which could subject such employee
to duress and pose a grave security risk, shall be adversely noted during
periodic verification of character and antecedents of government servants.
In continuation of its instructions issued in 1997 and
amended from time to time, the J&K government listed detailed parameters
that must be kept in mind while periodically verifying character and
antecedents of its employees. These include involvement of the staffer’s
immediate family or persons sharing residential space who are connected with
any foreign government, association or individuals known to be directly or
indirectly hostile to India’s national and security interests. Any failure on
part of the government employee to report unauthorised association with a
suspected or known collaborator of employee of a foreign intelligence agency or
any contacts with citizens of other countries or financial interests in other
countries that make the employee potentially vulnerable to coercion,
exploitation, or pressure by a foreign government, will also attract adverse
reporting.
The promotion of such adversely reported government
employees, if due, will be immediately put on hold, and their case sent to the
UT screening committee for further scrutiny. In case the adverse report is
confirmed, the employee will face action including termination from government
service.
On Wednesday, however, the J&K government
announced a review mechanism for any action taken against a J&K government
staffer, based on adverse character reporting. A review committee chaired by
the chief secretary and having DGP and administrative secretary, general
administration department, shall review the cases suo motu or on reference made
to it by the UT level screening committee or on basis of representation made by
the aggrieved employee.
As part of periodic verification of government
employees, the J&K government order issued on Thursday stated, it must be
assessed if the employee is himself involved in or sympathises with those
attempting an act of sabotage, espionage, treason, terrorism, subversion,
sedition/ secession, facilitating foreign interference, incitement to violence
etc. Reports indicating that representatives or nationals from a foreign
country are acting to increase the vulnerability of the individual to possible
future exploitation, coercion, must also be adversely noted, it added.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Times of India
--------
Take note of Pak-backed J&K groups in US, Biden
govt told
Sep 17, 2021
NEW DELHI: Following a report by US thinktank Hudson
Institute on Pakistan's support to Khalistani and Kashmiri groups based in the
US, India expressed hope on Thursday that the US government will take note of
such activities on American soil and the risk they pose to countries that have
a "shared vision" against terrorism.
The foreign ministry said the report reflected how
Pakistan continued to undertake activities against India from the US.
Ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit to the US next week,
India also expressed concern over reports of growing anti-India activities of
Khalistani separatist groups.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said ensuring the
security of the PM and his delegation was an important issue when asked about
reports that a banned Khalistani group was planning to hold protests in
Washington and New York during Modi's visit to the two cities.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Times of India
--------
Europe
Putin says Russia needs to work with the Taliban
17 September ,2021
Russia needs to work with the Taliban government in
Afghanistan, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday at a meeting of a China-
and Russia-led security bloc, the Shanghai Cooperation organization (SCO).
Speaking via video link at the conference held in
Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, Putin said Russia supported a United
Nations conference on Afghanistan and that world powers should consider
unfreezing Afghanistan’s assets.
Source: Al Arabiya
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2021/09/17/Putin-says-Russia-needs-to-work-with-the-Taliban
--------
France to be 'especially careful' about Taliban's
links with terror groups: Macron
Yusuf Özcan
17.09.2021
PARIS
France will be "especially careful" about
the Taliban's relationships with terrorist organizations, President Emmanuel
Macron said Thursday.
"This is for our safety," Macron said at a
joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel before his
one-on-one meeting with her at the Elysee Palace.
Noting that they would discuss the international
agenda and the situation in Afghanistan, Macron said they would make efforts to
support neighboring countries that host Afghans.
Ensuring that people under threat in Afghanistan leave
the country and that humanitarian aid is delivered to Afghanistan were also on
the meeting’s agenda, he added.
Macron emphasized that he would also discuss the
Sahel, Libya, Iran, Ukraine and Belarus with Merkel.
Merkel said the issue in Afghanistan is the people who
are under threat and the evacuation of refugees from the country.
Expressing that it is important to provide support to
neighboring countries that help Afghans, Merkel also underlined that they will
work on how to make progress on climate change by preserving the industrial
base.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Anadolu Agency
--------
Islamic State's Greater Sahara Boss Al-Sahrawi Killed
By French Forces in Sahel Region
SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
France said Thursday that its troops deployed in
Africa’s Sahel region had killed the head of the Islamic State in the Greater
Sahara, who had been hunted for years over deadly attacks on US soldiers and
French aid workers.
Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi formed the ISGS in 2015
after splitting with jihadist linked to Al-Qaeda and pledging allegiance to the
Islamic State (IS) group, which at the time controlled swathes of Iraq and
Syria.
Sahrawi was “neutralised by French forces,"
President Emmanuel Macron tweeted early Thursday, calling it “another major
success in our fight against terrorist groups in the Sahel”.
Defence minister Florence Parly told a news conference
that Sahrawi was killed in mid-August by France’s Barkhane force, which battles
jihadists across the arid expanses in the Sahel region of Western Africa.
He was one of two people killed by a drone strike on a
motorbike around Indelimane in northern Mali, France’s armies chief of staff
Thierry Burkhard said at the conference.
Parly added that Sahrawi’s identify had only now been
confirmed. “He was the absolute chief of ISGS and took all decisions," she
said.
She called his death a “decisive blow" both to IS
command structures in the region and also “to its cohesion, as ISGS will no
doubt have difficulty replacing its emir with a figure of the same
stature."
String of killings
Parly said Sahrawi had “personally ordered" the
attack that led to the killing of six French aid workers and their two local
guides while visiting a wildlife park in Niger in August 2020.
He was also wanted by the United States over an
October 4, 2017, attack in Niger that killed four US Special Forces and four
Niger soldiers. Washington had offered a $5 million reward for information on
Sahrawi’s whereabouts.
The group is also blamed for most of the jihadist
attacks in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
In late 2019, the group carried out a series of
large-scale attacks against military bases in Mali and Niger.
The flashpoint “tri-border" area is frequently
targeted by ISGS and the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and
Muslims (GSIM) with deadly attacks against civilians and soldiers.
A former member of Western Sahara’s Polisario Front
independence movement, Sahrawi joined Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
and had also co-led Mujao, a Malian Islamist group responsible for kidnapping
Spanish aid workers in Algeria and a group of Algerian diplomats in Mali in
2012.
‘Adapting deployment’
The French military has killed several high-ranking
members of ISGS under its strategy of targeting jihadist leaders since the
start of its military intervention in Mali in 2013.
But in June this year, Macron announced a major
scaleback in France’s anti-jihadist Barkhane force in the Sahel after more than
eight years of military presence in the vast region to refocus on
counter-terrorism operations and supporting local forces.
“We are not leaving Mali but adapting our military
deployment," Parly said. “Our fight continues."
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: News18
--------
German police prevent 'Islamist-motivated threat' on
synagogue, says minister
16 September, 2021
Police averted a possible attack on a synagogue in
western Germany and arrested four people including a 16-year-old Syrian youth
in connection with the threat, the regional interior minister said on Thursday.
Authorities had received "a very serious and
concrete tip" that an attack on the synagogue in the town of Hagen could
take place during the Jewish festival of Yom Kippur, the minister Herbert Reul
said.
Officers tightened security around the building on
Wednesday evening and searched it for bombs but found nothing dangerous, Reul -
interior minister for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia - told a news
conference.
He said the synagogue had called off its celebration
of Yom Kippur, when observant Jews hold overnight vigils.
The tip-off included details of the timing of an
attack, he added.
German police have arrested several people, including
a teenager, over a threat of an attack on a synagogue in the western town of
Hagen.https://t.co/YtkCfPE9gq — DW News (@dwnews) September 16, 2021
Earlier on Thursday, police in Hagen said they had
arrested four people as a result of their investigation into the threat and had
searched various buildings.
Reul said one of those detained was a 16-year-old from
Hagen with Syrian roots.
Germany has seen a rise in anti-Semitic violence in
recent years, mostly carried out by the far-right.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: The New Arab
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/german-police-stop-islamist-motivated-attack-synagogue
--------
Macron calls death of leader in Islamic State in
Sahara a 'major success' for France
16 September, 2021
France's president announced the death of the leader
of Islamic State group in the Greater Sahara on Wednesday, calling Adnan Abu
Walid al-Sahrawi's killing “a major success” for the French military after more
than eight years fighting extremists in the Sahel.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that
al-Sahrawi “was neutralized by French forces” but gave no further details. It
was not announced where al-Sahrawi was killed, though the Islamic State group
is active along the border between Mali and Niger.
“The nation is thinking tonight of all its heroes who
died for France in the Sahel in the Serval and Barkhane operations, of the
bereaved families, of all of its wounded," Macron tweeted. “Their
sacrifice is not in vain.”
Rumors of the militant leader's death had circulated
for weeks in Mali, though authorities in the region had not confirmed it. It
was not immediately possible to independently verify the claim or to know how
the remains had been identified.
“This is a decisive blow against this terrorist
group,” French Defense Minister Florence Parly tweeted. “Our fight continues.”
Al-Sahrawi had claimed responsibility for a 2017
attack in Niger that killed four US military personnel and four people with
Niger’s military.
His group also has abducted foreigners in the Sahel
and is believed to still be holding American Jeffrey Woodke, who was abducted
from his home in Niger in 2016.
The extremist leader was born in the disputed
territory of Western Sahara and later joined the Polisario Front. After
spending time in Algeria, he made his way to northern Mali where he became an
important figure in the group known as MUJAO that controlled the major northern
town of Gao in 2012.
A French-led military operation the following year
ousted Islamic extremists from power in Gao and other northern cities, though
those elements later regrouped and again carried out attacks.
The Malian group MUJAO was loyal to the regional
al-Qaeda affiliate. But in 2015, al-Sahrawi released an audio message pledging
allegiance to the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
The French military has been fighting Islamic
extremists in the Sahel region where France was once the colonial power since
the 2013 intervention in northern Mali.
It recently announced, though, that it would be
reducing its military presence in the region, with plans to withdraw 2,000
troops by early next year.
News of al-Sahrawi's death comes as France's global
fight against the Islamic State organization is making headlines in Paris.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: The New Arab
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/macron-announces-death-leader-islamic-state-sahara
--------
Dutch foreign minister resigns over Afghanistan crisis
16 September ,2021
Dutch Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag resigned Thursday
after lawmakers formally condemned her handling of the Afghanistan evacuation
crisis.
“The House considers that the government has acted
irresponsibly. And although I stand by our commitment, I can only accept the
consequences of this judgement as the minister with ultimate responsibility,”
Kaag said in a statement to parliament.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Al Arabiya
--------
Unfreeze Afghanistan assets abroad, neighbor
Uzbekistan says
17 September ,2021
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev urged other nations
on Friday to unfreeze Afghanistan’s assets kept in foreign banks to facilitate
dialog with the Taliban government in Kabul.
Following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, US
President Joe Biden’s administration has said any central bank assets the
Afghan government has in the US will not be made available to the Taliban.
The International Monetary Fund has said Afghanistan
will not have access to the lender’s resources.
Speaking at a meeting of a China- and Russia-led
security bloc, the Shanghai Cooperation organization (SCO), Mirziyoyev, whose
country borders Afghanistan, called for talks between the bloc and the Taliban
and for efforts to prevent the rise of extremism.
Unfreezing Afghan assets, he said, could help achieve
those goals.
“Considering the humanitarian situation, we propose
looking into the possibility of lifting the freeze on Afghanistan’s accounts in
foreign banks,” he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who spoke at the
same meeting through a video link, also called for contacts between the SCO and
Kabul but did not mention any other concrete steps.
The bloc met in Tajikistan, another former Soviet
republic bordering Afghanistan. Its leaders said they were beginning the
process of accepting Iran into the organization which also includes India and
Pakistan.
In a speech at the same meeting, Pakistan’s prime
minister, Imran Khan, called for economic support for Afghanistan.
“Urgent priorities are to prevent a humanitarian
crisis and an economic meltdown. We must remember that the previous government
depended heavily on foreign aid and its removal could lead to economic
collapse,” he said.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Al Arabiya
--------
Afghanistan G20 meeting to be held after UN assembly:
Italy’s Foreign Minister
17 September ,2021
An ad hoc summit of the Group of 20 major economies to
discuss Afghanistan will be held after the United Nations Assembly which ends
on September 30, Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said in an interview
published on Friday.
“Yes, the G20 will be held after the Assembly General
of the United Nations in New York, where I will be next week. On the margin of
the UN Assembly there will be a meeting of the G20 Foreign ministers to prepare
the extraordinary summit,” Di Maio told daily la Repubblica.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Al Arabiya
--------
Germany arrests 4 for alleged terror attack plot on
synagogue
Oliver Towfigh Nia
16.09.2021
BERLIN
German police arrested four people, including a Syrian
teenager, accused of planning a terror attack on a synagogue in the western
town of Hagen ahead of the Jewish Yom Kippur holidays, local media reported
Thursday.
The arrests came in the wake of an unnamed foreign
secret service tip-off that an alleged terror attack was imminent, according to
the Berlin-based Der Tagesspiegel newspaper.
Police armed with machine guns increased their
protection for the Hagen synagogue Wednesday evening and cordoned off the area.
Hagen police said they had also searched several
buildings following the arrests.
Meanwhile, the synagogue canceled its religious
service due to the terror threat.
Reacting to the investigation, German Justice Minister
Christine Lambrecht spoke of a "very serious threat."
The incident awakens horrific memories of the attack
on the synagogue in the eastern city of Halle two years ago, said Lambrecht,
according to a statement from her ministry.
Lambrecht was referring to a terror attack in which an
armed right-wing extremist tried to force his way into the synagogue and shot
two nearby people dead.
The 28-year-old man, who confessed to carrying out the
attack, was convicted last year and given a life sentence.
"It is unbearable that Jews are again exposed to
such a terrible threat and were unable to celebrate the beginning of their
highest festival, Yom Kippur, peacefully together," she added.
The German government has been deeply alarmed by a
surge in anti-Semitic hate crimes over the past years.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Anadolu Agency
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Arab
World
UAE, UK announce ‘Partnership for the Future’, new era
of bilateral ties
17 September ,2021
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi, has made a historical visit to the British capital as the UK and UAE
announce a new era in ties between the two countries.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosted Sheikh Mohamed
at 10 Downing Street in London on Thursday for a far-reaching conversation and
a launch of a ‘Partnership for the Future’ between the two nations.
A joint statement from the UAE and UK was later
released on state news agency WAM.
“The leaders agreed to establish a new, ambitious
Partnership for the Future that will strengthen the historic relations that the
two countries share,” the statement read. “The new partnership will build on
this history, and ensure that the UAE and UK are able to work closely together
to promote prosperity and security, tackle climate change, and expand the
exchange of knowledge, skills and ideas.”
The meeting was attended by UAE and UK ministerial
representatives, ambassadors and officials from both countries.
The UK prime minister congratulated the UAE on the
50th anniversary of its founding in 1971,” a joint communique from the meeting
declared
Both leaders welcomed the progress that bilateral
relations have made during the past 50 years and underlined their high ambition
for the future of the relationship.
The statement continued: “The UAE and the UK are
committed to tackling global issues together. In recognition of the opportunity
created by the depth of the strategic relationship between the two nations,
both leaders agreed to establish a Partnership for the Future expanding the
breadth and depth of the bilateral relationship.”
Creating sustainable prosperity
This Partnership, it said, will consist of two central
pillars: the creation of sustainable prosperity and addressing global issues.
The leaders agreed to create new trade, investment,
and innovation dynamics, and to strengthen collaboration in areas including
life sciences, energy innovation, regional issues, illicit finance, education,
security, development, culture, climate, and health and food security.
The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation and the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Affairs will co-chair an annual Strategic dialog to review the
global issues pillar and to working closely together during the UAE’s term at
the UN Security Council for the period of 2022-23, it continued.
The UAE and the UK will also share an important trade
and investment relationship, with total trade of ₤18.6bn in 2019, and two-way
investment of ₤13.4bn in 2019, promoting innovation, jobs and economic
development. The leaders discussed the opportunities for economic cooperation
presented by new and developing sectors including technology, education,
healthcare and life sciences, and clean and renewable energy.
The leaders welcomed the recent steps to increase
investment flows between both countries. Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company
and the UK’s Office for Investment signed the Sovereign Investment Partnership
(SIP).
Driving a bilateral investment relationship
This long-term strategic agreement will serve to drive
the investment relationship between the two countries, the statement said.
Over a five-year period, the Sovereign Investment
Partnership (SIP) will invest across four key innovation-led sectors --
technology, infrastructure, healthcare, and life sciences, and clean and
renewable energy -- that will support job creation in both countries,
strengthen national research and development capabilities and originate new
areas of investment collaboration.
The leaders welcomed the March announcement that saw
Mubadala commit ₤800m to United Kingdom life sciences, alongside the United Kingdom
Government’s ₤200m Life Sciences Investment program. the leaders announced the
UAE’s investment commitment to the UAE-UK SIP – ₤10bn over the next five years
in: energy transition, technology and infrastructure. The leaders welcomed also
the ongoing assistance from the British Business Bank. Moreover, they discussed
a number of ongoing projects under the SIP framework, with plans to announce
further investments in due course.
In the energy sector, the leaders agreed to step up
ties in the energy transition and decarbonization, with a particular focus on
renewables and new forms of energy through three new agreements: [1] a
trilateral collaboration between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Masdar
and BP; [2] an agreement between ADNOC and BP on co-development of Carbon
Capture, Usage and Storage; and [3] a forward-looking partnership between
Masdar and BP to develop, build and operate energy and mobility services in
urban spaces.
The leaders welcomed the conclusion of the United
Kingdom – Gulf Cooperation Council Joint Trade and Investment Review in June
2021 and recent progress to boost bilateral trade through removing trade
barriers and facilitating economic cooperation. They agreed on the importance
of continued work in sectors such as education, healthcare, and food and drink,
and through the United Arab Emirates- United Kingdom Joint Economic Committee,
the next meeting of which was agreed to be held during Expo 2020 in Dubai.
The leaders announced the signing of the Memorandum of
Cooperation (MoC) on Industrial and Advanced Technologies Co-operation between
the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Ministry of
Industry and Advanced Technology. The MoC highlights nine priority areas for
collaboration between the two countries, including Life Sciences, Hydrogen,
Space, emerging renewable energy technologies, and smart and green sustainable
manufacturing that will be implemented through joint engagements between
government, businesses, and academic entities.
The leaders also announced the signing of a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to facilitate the
transfer of knowledge, investment, and standards to bring mutual benefit to
both countries.
Both countries will form a space sector joint committee
to drive bilateral discussions, to deliver economic prosperity for both
nations.
Stronger ties in defense, security
Both countries have developed stronger industrial ties
through collaboration in defense and security. This includes blossoming relationships,
including Tawazun Economic Council and EDGE Group. The leaders agreed on
working together to support these emerging and future partnerships in order to
promote prosperity whilst strengthening business opportunities for both.
The UAE and the UK share an important strategic
defense relationship. They agreed to strengthen this, particularly on
capability development and defense industrial collaboration.
The leaders underscored the importance of mutual and
sustainable investment through the Sovereign Investment Partnership (SIP) into
our green industries to support decarburization; through development
partnerships to support climate resilience and adaptation in third countries;
and cooperation on energy in the Joint Industrial Collaboration Framework.
Driving forward the Paris Agreement
The leaders welcomed the signing of a MOU on Climate
Change and Environmental Cooperation which will strengthen collaboration on
climate action, nature-based solutions and implementing the Paris Agreement.
The partnership will focus on sharing best practice for climate neutrality,
mainstreaming climate and environment within development co-operation, reducing
climate risks, accelerating the low carbon transition nationally and globally,
including through promoting the mandate of IRENA, mobilizing access to climate
finance and promoting the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for
Climate), which will be formally launched at COP26.
The two countries reiterated their commitment to
deepening their strategic partnership on foreign policy, regional, security and
defense issues and they announced the launch of the strategic dialog that will
drive forward collaboration in education, culture and climate change,
multilateral co-operation and security issues.
The Prime Minister congratulated the UAE on its
election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2022-23, and
underscored the UAE and the UK’s commitment to working together on the Security
Council to promote international peace and security and address the security
threats that the world faces. Moreover, the Leaders discussed the long-term
strategic implications of the global recovery from COVID 19.
On regional issues, the two countries agreed to
continue their close cooperation, including on security, development and
humanitarian affairs. They emphasized the significance of the Abraham Accords
in contributing to the enhancement of regional peace and security and
reaffirmed their commitment to a negotiated two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on relevant UN resolutions.
A joint commitment on preserving regional stability
The leaders expressed their concerns regarding
developments in Afghanistan, and affirmed their commitment to preserving
regional stability and preventing the resurgence of terrorism. They also
emphasized the need for the protection of the rights of Afghan women and girls
and emphasized the importance that their rights are preserved. The Leaders
committed to work together to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan
and to support refugees.
Both leaders agreed on increased cooperation to ensure
the safety and security of maritime commerce, trade and energy routes.
The leaders acknowledged the difficult circumstances
caused by the pandemic globally, and they offered their deepest condolences for
the loss of lives and expressed deepest sympathy with the families of the
victims.
Global cooperation and solidarity is key
The leaders emphasized that global cooperation and
solidarity are key to fighting the pandemic and achieving sustainable and
inclusive recovery. Moreover, they welcomed the increase in the level of
vaccinations in the UAE and UK, and underlined their commitment to share data
and exchange experience, including on genome sequencing.
They agreed on the importance of supporting efforts to
increase global vaccine supply, and the recognition of vaccines adopted in both
countries to strengthen cultural, trade and investment ties.
The leaders acknowledged the health impacts of climate
change and pledged to use COP26 as a platform to demonstrate ambition to tackle
them. They noted the importance of a strengthened WHO and its leading and
coordinating role in the global health system.
The leaders agreed to expand development and
humanitarian cooperation through the establishment of a Framework for
Development Cooperation in areas such as climate change, education, women’s
empowerment, and development in the Horn of Africa.
The UAE and the UK will build on their partnership on
ensuring 12 years of quality education for all girls. The leaders affirmed the
importance of using both diplomatic and development levers to support the
implementation of the landmark joint UN Human Rights Council resolution on
girls’ education. The UK looks forward to the ReWired Summit at Dubai Expo 2020
as another key milestone on the girls’ education agenda.
The UAE and the UK have agreed an ambitious plan for
cooperation in regions of mutual interest, including the Horn of Africa. to
promote shared security and stability priorities, and meeting the Sustainable
Development Goals.. The leaders also underlined the importance of respect for
human rights in all initiatives.
The leaders agreed to increase co-operation on areas
such as cultural heritage protection, development of creative and cultural
industries and exchange of best practice and expertise. Moreover, the leaders
announced the signing of an MoU on the Cultural Sector, and work together to
facilitate the implementation of international agreements such as those signed
with UNESCO.
'Education for the Future'
The leaders shared their ambition to strengthen
education ties and committed to identify further opportunities to collaborate
in technical and vocational training. They also announced the “Education for
the Future initiative”, a series of thought leadership seminars that will be
conducted in 2021. In addition, they welcomed the convening of the first event
between the two countries on the value of IT/AI skills and competences in
girls’ education.
The Prime Minister expressed anticipation of the
active participation of the UK in Expo 2020 in Dubai, which will positively
contribute to the spirit of global dialog, innovation, peace and prosperity.
Both countries have launched a Partnership to Tackle
Illicit Financial Flows. They also agreed that international partners should
work together to tackle dirty money.
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Source: Al Arabiya
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UAE, UK ink $10 billion deal during Abu Dhabi Crown
Prince state visit
17 September ,2021
The United Arab Emirates is to invest up to $10billion
in the United Kingdom in energy transition, infrastructure, and technology, the
two nations announced following a state visit by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed
al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, and the
UK Office for Investment (OfI), signed an agreement at Downing Street to
significantly expand the UAE-UK Sovereign Investment Partnership (UAE-UK SIP),
a framework for investment announced in March 2021.
Over the next five years, the UAE-UK SIP will drive a
significant increase in investment across a further three sectors: technology,
infrastructure, and energy transition, as well as build on the existing program
of life sciences investment, state news agency WAM reported.
As part of the agreement the UAE has committed ₤10
billion via the UAE-UK SIP, overseen by the OfI and Mubadala, one of the
world’s leading sovereign investors. This builds on Mubadala’s ₤800 million
commitment and the UK Government’s ₤200 million to UK life sciences when the
partnership was established in March.
The UAE-UK SIP will now become the central investment
platform under the new ‘Partnership for the Future’ bilateral framework, agreed
at a meeting between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Sheikh Mohamed.
Khaldoon al-Mubarak, Mubadala’s managing director and
group CEO, said: “Today’s expansion of our Sovereign Investment Partnership
will help accelerate funding and innovation in key sectors that are
foundational to economic growth of both nations.”
“It is a testament to the UK’s innovation economy that
we are ahead of target with the UAE-UK SIP life sciences program, which we
announced in March of this year. We are already developing ambitious energy
transition, technology and infrastructure investment programs that create new
jobs and strengthen commercial ties between our nations.”
UK Minister for Investment, Gerry Grimstone, said,
“Attracting investment has become globally competitive, and there’s never been
a better time to be taking part and investing in the UK.”
“This partnership has gone from strength to strength
and its expansion is evidence of its effectiveness and what we can achieve with
important trade and investment partners like the UAE through investment. The partnership
will expand the exchange of knowledge, skills and ideas that will drive
prosperity in both nations.”
“It’s great to see the Office for Investment together
with Mubadala Investment Company deliver what we initially set out to do, and
expanding into new verticals that will drive economic growth across the UK.”
The United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates share
an important trade and investment relationship, with total trade of ₤18.6bn in
2019, and two-way investment of ₤13.4bn in 2019.
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Source: Al Arabiya
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Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s visit to the UK: ‘A
friendship for the next 50 years’
17 September ,2021
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi, has said he looks forward to another half century of close relations
with the United Kingdom, during a state tour to the British capital.
As the United Arab Emirates marks its jubilee year
since the country was founded, Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE attaches special
importance to its relations with the UK.
“One of the most important aspects of our
developmental projects for the next 50 years is promoting developmental
partnerships with various countries of the world, especially with the UK,” he
said in a statement released by state news agency WAM.
Sheikh Mohamed said that the UAE is on the cusp of
hosting a major global event, Expo 2020 Dubai, adding: “We are confident that
Britain’s participation will pave the way for more opportunities for economic
and development partnership between our two countries. In the UAE, we seek to
make this event a turning point on the road to promoting global economic
recovery, establishing global partnerships, and finding common ground to
confront global challenges.”
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosted Sheikh Mohamed
at 10 Downing Street in central London where they discussed the historic
friendship ties and joint strategic cooperation between the UAE and the UK and
ways to enhance relations in the best interest of the two sides.
Sheikh Mohamed and the Prime Minister also tackled
several regional and international issues of mutual interest and launched a
‘Partnership of the Future’; a series of collaborative development projects
between the two nations.
Sheikh Mohamed later tweeted about the visit, saying:
“I was pleased to meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson for in-depth talks in
London. Together, we discussed ways of further strengthening strategic ties
between the UAE and UK, and other areas of mutual interest in the region and
around the world.”
The UK Prime Minister also welcomed the visit of
Sheikh Mohamed to Britain and emphasized that “it represents strong support for
the development of relations between the two countries”.
He said that the UK attaches special importance to
enhancing its ties with the UAE. He also extended thanks and appreciation for
the UAE’s support in evacuating UK citizens, and citizens of many other
countries, from Afghanistan.
Sheikh Mohamed and the UK Prime Minister reviewed
cooperation and the promising opportunities to enhance it in the investment,
economic and trade fields and other vital sectors as part of the ambitious
economic, trade and investment program that the two countries agreed upon last
year.
The meeting touched on the latest COVID-19 pandemic
developments, and the efforts to contain its humanitarian and economic
repercussions and the importance of strengthening international solidarity
during these circumstances to overcome this common global challenge. It also
highlighted the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), which will be hosted
by the UK next November as well as its importance in advancing global efforts
to address the climate change challenge.
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Source: Al Arabiya
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Egypt's Al-Azhar reiterates centrality of Palestinian
cause to Muslims
Diana Shalhub
17.09.2021
The grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, the
highest seat of Sunni Muslim learning, reiterated Thursday that the Palestinian
cause is the central cause for Muslims.
"The Palestinian cause is the primary cause for
Al-Azhar and Muslims...and the struggle of its Arab people will remain a source
of pride and inspiration," said Ahmed al-Tayeb while receiving Mahmoud
al-Habbash, the Palestinian Authority’s top Sharia judge and President Mahmoud
Abbas’s adviser on religious and Islamic affairs, according to Egypt’s official
MENA news agency.
"The Zionist terrorism will remain overwhelming
evidence of the deficiency of the international community's values and
standards in dealing with the causes of the peoples," al-Tayeb added.
Al-Habbash stressed that Al-Azhar's endless efforts
and stance towards the Palestinian cause are honorable and appreciated.
On Thursday, the Waqf department that supervises
Al-Aqsa Mosque said 307 Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex
under the protection of Israeli forces.
Several extremist Jewish groups called on settlers to
make their way into Al-Aqsa to celebrate the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday.
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Source: Anadolu Agency
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Lebanon raises gasoline prices by over 37 pct amid
crippling shortages of supplies
17 September ,2021
Lebanon’s energy ministry further raised gasoline
prices on Friday by over 30 percent, an official document showed.
The price of 95-octane gasoline and 98-octane gasoline
was raised by over 37 percent.
On Thursday, Lebanon’s cabinet approved a policy
program that aims to tackle one of the worst financial meltdowns in history.
Reuters saw the draft document, which included a
resumption of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and a
restructuring of the banking sector.
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Source: Al Arabiya
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Lebanon’s finance minister signs new forensic audit
contract
17 September ,2021
Lebanon’s finance minister Youssef Khalil on Friday
signed a new contract with restructuring consultancy Alvarez and Marsal
(A&M) to carry out a forensic audit at the country’s central bank, the
ministry said in a statement.
A&M will give an initial report to the ministry
within 12 weeks of its team starting work, the ministry said.
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Source: Al Arabiya
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US State Department approves $500 mln military deal
with Saudi Arabia
17 September ,2021
The US State Department approved the sale of $500
million in equipment to Saudi Arabia, according to a statement released
Thursday.
Despite the deal being a continuation of a prior
agreement, the US package includes maintenance support services for
helicopters, including Saudi Arabia’s Apache and Black Hawk helicopters, as
well as a future fleet of CH-47D Chinook helicopters.
“This proposed sale will support US foreign policy and
national security objectives by helping to improve the security of a friendly
country that continues to be an important force for political stability and
economic growth in the Middle East,” the State Department said.
Washington said the deal would also help improve Saudi
Arabia’s capability “to meet current and future threats.”
The deal will also aid in maintaining Saudi Arabia’s
rotary-wing aircraft fleet, engines, avionics, weapons, and missile components,
the State Department said. “Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing
these articles and services into its armed forces.”
The deal has been sent to Congress for review and
approval.
Thursday’s announcement comes after the Biden
administration froze weapons sales to Saudi Arabia shortly after taking office.
President Joe Biden also halted US support to
“offensive operations” in Yemen in support of Saudi Arabia while removing the
Iran-backed Houthis from the terror blacklist.
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Source: Al Arabiya
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EU lawmakers call for Lebanon sanctions if Mikati’s
government fails
16 September ,2021
The European Union should still consider imposing
sanctions on Lebanese politicians who block the progress of the new government,
the EU’s parliament said on Thursday, calling Lebanon’s crisis a man-made
disaster.
This week, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told
the European Parliament that, while Lebanon’s economic model was broken, the
moment for sanctions had passed because politicians formed a government on
September 10.
Taking note of Lebanon’s formation of a government
after more than a year of political deadlock, the European Parliament in
Strasbourg issued a resolution saying EU governments cannot yet release
pressure on the country.
The parliament voted 575 in favor, 71 against and with
39 abstentions.
The parliament “deeply urges Lebanese leaders to keep
their promises and be a functional government,” the parliament’s resolution,
which is non-binding, said of Lebanon’s new government that has vowed to tackle
one of the world’s worst economic meltdowns in history.
EU lawmakers warned: “the introduction of targeted
sanctions for obstructing or undermining the democratic political process
remains an option.”
The EU agreed in June to prepare travel bans and asset
freezes for Lebanese politicians accused of corruption and obstructing efforts
to form a government, financial mismanagement and human rights abuses.
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Source: Al Arabiya
--------
Southeast
Asia
China’s President Xi: Afghanistan should eradicate
terrorism
17 September ,2021
China’s President Xi Jinping said via video that
“relevant parties” in Afghanistan should eradicate terrorism and that China
will provide more help to the country within its capacity, according to a
report on a regional summit by state media.
“Certain countries” should assume their due
responsibilities for Afghanistan’s future development as the “instigators” of
the situation, he said, at a meeting of the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization.
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Source: Al Arabiya
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On Malaysia Day, Sarawak CM vows to reject any attempts
against religious freedom
16 Sep 2021
BY SULOK TAWIE
KUCHING, Sept 16 — Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk
Patinggi Abang Johari Openg tonight made it clear that the state government
will reject any bids that are contrary to religious freedom in the state.
He said the state government will continue to ensure
that the welfare of other religions will always be nurtured, but did not
elaborate more on the matter.
“We walk the talk,” the chief minister said at the
Malaysia Day celebration held at the Sarawak State Assembly Complex here.
Abang Johari stressed that freedom of religion is
enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“To ensure that this right is guaranteed, the state
government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak administration is a step ahead in
implementing initiatives under Unit for Other Religions which has provided
large allocations to non-Islamic religions,” he said.
This remark came amid a proposal by Putrajaya to table
a Bill restricting the propagation of non-Muslim religions to Muslims.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also
recently said that his administration will revive and table the Bill seeking
harsher punishments for Shariah offences, dubbed Act 355 or RUU355 in Malay.
The chief minister said many matters have not been
implemented in accordance with the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia
Agreement 1963 (MA63) and should be brought to the negotiation table within a
bigger Malaysian family.
He said since 2015 discussions had been held between
the state and federal governments, and he hoped that the discussion on MA63
will be continued as being outlined under the recently signed bipartisan
cooperation Memorandum of Understanding by the federal government and Pakatan
Harapan (PH).
He said considerable achievements have been made since
the discussions started in 2015 to reinstate state powers which had been eroded
over the years back to the state or accord empowerment to the state in certain
areas.
He said these include authorising state legal officers
by the public prosecutor under the Criminal Procedure Code to conduct
prosecution for offences under state ordinances from the stage a person is
charged in the lower court until the appeal stage.
He said the other is increasing the number of posts in
the Sarawak Immigration Department to improve the department’s enforcement
functions in the state with the creation of 100 new posts and increasing the
ratio of Sarawak-born teachers serving here to about 90 per cent of the total.
He said the state government will be consulted in the
drafting of federal legislation which has bearing or impact on the state
government of Sarawak, where provided by law, and the planning of federal
development projects in Sarawak is to give priority to the five-year Sarawak
State Development Plan based on the approved budget.
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Source: Malay Mail
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Jawi: Friday prayers allowed in KL, Putrajaya mosques
with up to 500 congregants
16 Sep 2021
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — Friday prayers at mosques in
the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya which are in Phase Two of
the National Recovery Plan (PPN), are allowed to be held with up to 500
congregants, effective tomorrow.
Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department
(Jawi) director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail said 250 congregants were allowed for
the same purpose in seven zonal mosques as well as kariah mosques, while for
Friday prayers surau, it was 150 people, and surau with special permission to
hold the Friday prayers (100 people).
According to him, Friday prayers surau and surau with
special permission to hold the Friday prayers at the People’s Housing Projects
(PPR) and Public Housing (PA) under the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would be
allowed to hold the prayers with 80 congregants.
“Lectures and ‘tazkirah’ are allowed with attendance
not exceeding the number of Friday prayer congregants for the tazkirah prior to
Friday prayers, and not exceeding the number of congregants for obligatory
prayers for other lectures, with physical distancing of 1.5m,” he said in a
statement today.
Mohd Ajib said the new ruling was implemented after
obtaining the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah
Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, and in line with the government’s
announcement on the phase transition under the PPN.
Mohd Ajib said for obligatory prayers in Kuala Lumpur
and Putrajaya, 200 congregants were allowed at the Federal Territory Mosque;
seven zonal mosques and kariah mosques (100 people); Friday prayers surau (50
people); Friday prayers surau and surau with special permission to hold the
Friday prayers at PPR and PA DBKL as well as other surau (40 people).
Meanwhile, for Labuan, which is in Phase Four of the
PPN, Mohd Ajib said Friday prayers in all zonal and kariah mosques, Friday
surau, and and surau with special permission to hold the Friday prayers was
allowed at half capacity, effective tomorrow.
At the same time, he said obligatory prayers were
allowed to be held in congregation in all mosques and surau in Labuan,
according to the size of the main prayer hall.
Apart from that, he said lectures and tazkirah were
allowed with attendance not exceeding the number of Friday prayer congregants
for tazkirah prior to the Friday prayers, and not exceeding the number of
obligatory prayer congregants for other lectures, with physical distancing of
1.5m.
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Source: Malay Mail
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Kelantan Islamic Religious Council allows 40
congregants for Friday, obligatory prayers from tomorrow
16 Sep 2021
KOTA BARU, Sept 16 — The Kelantan Islamic Religious
and Malay Customs Council (MAIK) has given the green light for Friday and
obligatory prayers at all districts, sub-districts and surau from tomorrow,
with the number of congregants set at 40.
MAIK president Tengku Tan Sri Mohamad Rizam Tengku
Abdul Aziz said permission to perform the prayers during Phase Two of the
National Recovery Plan (PPN) was only allowed to mosque staff and those fully
vaccinated.
“The implementation of the Friday and obligatory
prayers also received the consent of the Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V
as the State Islamic religious leader,” he said in a statement tonight.
Tengku Mohamad Rizam, who is also Tengku Temenggong
Kelantan, said the mosque staff and congregants present must be fully
vaccinated, with recipients of Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines
required to have passed the 14th day from the date of the second vaccination dose.
“Meanwhile, recipients of the single-dose Johnson
& Johnson and CanSino vaccines must have passed the 28th day from the date
of the jab. Mosque staff and the congregants are encouraged to wear two layers
of face masks (double mask).
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Source: Malay Mail
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Covid-19: Tabung Haji says ready to manage pilgrims’
health, safety for next Haj season
17 Sep 2021
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 ― Despite the Haj pilgrimage
being postponed twice due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lembaga Tabung Haji
(TH) still continues its preparations, taking into account the current pandemic
situation and developments in Saudi Arabia.
TH Haj executive director, Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed
Abdul Rahman, said the planning and preparations had been continuously
implemented since the 2020 Haj season in an effort to ensure that the Malaysian
Haj pilgrims will be able to perform the fifth pillar of Islam smoothly.
He said one of the steps implemented was conducting 14
series of Haj courses for prospective pilgrims online, including an additional
series emphasising the new standard operating procedures (SOPs) in Saudi Arabia
as well as the Haj rules and regulations in the current environment of the
Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that TH would ensure that prospective
pilgrims received their respective vaccinations and have been fully vaccinated
against Covid-19 as required by the Saudi Arabian government before they were
allowed to enter the holy land.
Apart from that, TH, during the national-level Haj
muzakarah held previously, has also emphasised the concept of istito'ah or
ability to perform Haj during the pandemic.
“In this muzakarah, it was important for us to refine
and set resolutions to be used as a pilgrimage guide to perform Haj in the new
norm by looking at the constraints of movement and obstructions in the event of
an outbreak,” he said in an interview with Bernama.
Syed Saleh said TH had also held a meeting with those
handling the operations in the country involving departure stations and
organised a workshop with the Ministry of Health (MoH) relating to SOPs for
staff and health protocols that needed to be complied with.
He said the MoH health team will be assigned at eight
departure stations in the country to monitor the health status of pilgrims
before leaving for the holy land. TH will also increase the number of
healthcare workers, especially public health teams to be stationed at three
main locations in Jeddah, Madinah and Makkah.
“Previously, during the Haj season, we have 260
medical staff from various categories including specialist doctors, nurses and
pharmacists, but due to Covid-19, we need to add at least 30 more personnel to
manage the pilgrims’ health and safety,” he said.
He added that this also takes into account the
isolation facilities in hotels and other accommodation, the provision of
medical equipment such as ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE)
as well as medicines.
As part of the preparation, TH has conducted scenario
planning where it details the actions to be taken at each stage of Haj
activities, both here and in the holy land with various possible scenarios that
may occur during the Haj operation.
Officers have also been provided with adequate training,
knowledge and mental preparation to face the situation of the new norm in
looking after the pilgrims, thus ready to become the frontliners when the Haj
season arrives.
“If there is a positive case of Covid-19 among
Malaysian pilgrims, firstly, we will be subject to the SOPs set by the Ministry
of Health of Saudi Arabia and then we will see the SOPs, based on the current
development of Covid-19.
“Secondly, we need to assess the Covid-19 infection,
if it is at categories 1 and 2, then we can handle it ourselves in our
hospital, except for categories 4 and 5 which require facilities in the
Intensive Care Unit (ICU), then we will send the case to a hospital there
(Saudi Arabia),” he said.
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Source: Malay Mail
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Mideast
Official: India Seriously Seeking Extensive Ties with
Iran
2021-September-16
Subrahmanyam made the remarks in a meeting with
Iranian Ambassador in India Ali Chegini, discussing bilateral relations in
varied areas.
In the meeting, the Indian official named the
millennia-long cultural and civilization interaction between the two nations as
a component of intimacy and brotherhood between Iran and India.
He said that India was serious in expanding cultural,
economic, trading, scientific and technological ties with Iran and was ready to
explore all ways and identify potentials in this regard.
Chegini, for his part, pointed to the current trade
between the two countries and named supplying factors, food and agricultural
products swap, medicine and its raw material, industrial cooperation,
interaction in technology and knowledge-based production among privileged areas
of cooperation.
He underlined that Iran and India are complementary,
not rival, economies that can see multiplied surge in trading ties if all
capacities are leveraged.
Earlier this month,
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in a phone conversation
with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian said that New Delhi
attaches much importance to relations and cooperation with Tehran.
During the phone call, Jaishankar congratulated Amir
Abdollahian on his appointment as Iran’s foreign minister.
The Indian foreign minister said it is necessary Iran
and India expand their ties.
He referred to the wide range of areas in which Iran
and India work together like their regional and transportation cooperation, and
invited the Iranian foreign minister to visit India for further negotiations.
The top Indian diplomat also said Iran and India need
to continue consultations on Afghanistan.
Amir Abdollahian, for his part, appreciated the Indian
counterpart’s invitation, and underscored the need to expand Iran-India
relations in different economic fields and also cooperation on vaccines.
The Iranian foreign minister called for speeding up
the Chabahar Project and expanding trade with India.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Fars News Agency
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000625000490/Official-India-Serisly-Seeking-Exensive-Ties-wih-Iran
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FM: Iran Interested in Further Expansion of Economic
Ties with S. Africa
2021-September-16
Amir Abdollahian in a meeting with South African
Ambassador Vika Mazwi Khumalo in Tehran on Wednesday underlined significance of
African countries in Iran’s foreign policy, asking for evermore expansion of
ties, and especially the economic relations with Pretoria.
He also stressed the importance of the Ministerial
Joint Economic Commission and its Ministerial Political Committee, as well as
its other side committees, in the two countries.
Amir Abdollahian also referred to the South African
president’s meeting with the Iranian president in November 2015 in Pretoria as
a turning point in the two countries’ relations, remembering that he was a
deputy foreign minister at the time.
He also appreciated South Africa’s supports for Iran
during its rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, and also that
county’s support for the Palestinian nation.
During the meeting, the two officials surveyed ways
for expansion of comprehensive bilateral ties and mutual cooperation.
Ambassador Khumaloa in the meeting conveyed the South
African Foreign Minister Ms. Naledi Pandor’s congratulation to his Iranian
counterpart.
She referred to the arrangement for holding the 15th
Session of the Iran-South Africa Joint Economic Commission, expressing the hope
that in the near future meeting of its Political Committee would be held in
Tehran and the Joint Commission in South Africa.
He repeated South Africa’s invitation of President
Ebrahim Rayeesi for a visit to Pretoria, expressing the hope that the visit
would take place during the next Christian year and after the Joint Commission.
Tehran has prioritized promotion of its economic and
political ties with the African states and the country is now considered as one
of the African Union's strategic partners.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Fars News Agency
--------
Amnesty condemns ‘climate of impunity’ over Iran
custody deaths
17 September ,2021
Amnesty International has condemned the “climate of
impunity” that prevails in Iran over deaths in custody despite reports of more
than 70 such cases over the past decade.
“Iranian authorities have failed to provide
accountability for at least 72 deaths in custody since January 2010, despite
credible reports that they resulted from torture or other ill-treatment or the
lethal use of firearms and tear gas by officials,” said the London-based rights
group.
The latest documented case involved a 31-year-old
whose death was reported to his family by intelligence ministry officials in
Urumieh, West Azerbaijan province on September 8, Amnesty said in a statement.
“Reports of the death of Yaser Mangouri in suspicious
circumstances further exposes how the prevailing climate of impunity further
emboldens security forces to violate prisoners’ right to life without any fear
of consequence or accountability,” said Heba Morayef, Amnesty’s Middle East and
North Africa director.
The group’s report follows an admission by Iran’s
prisons chief last month that “unacceptable behavior” had taken place at a
notorious Tehran prison after videos published abroad appeared to show violence
against detainees.
The footage of prison guards beating and mistreating
detainees was reportedly obtained by hackers who accessed surveillance cameras
at Evin prison.
Amnesty International said the leaked video footage
“offered disturbing evidence of beatings, sexual harassment, and other
ill-treatment of prisoners by prison officials.”
It said that in 46 of the 72 deaths in custody,
informed sources said they had resulted from “physical torture or other
ill-treatment at the hands of intelligence and security agents or prison
officials.”
Another 15 deaths were caused by the use of firearms
or tear gas by prison guards to suppress protests over COVID-19 safety fears,
said Amnesty.
For the remaining 11 cases, the deaths occurred in
suspicious circumstances, but no further details about potential causes were
available, it added.
“Iranian authorities typically blame deaths in custody
on suicide, drug overdose or illness in a rushed manner and without conducting
any independent and transparent investigations,” the watchdog said.
In July, Amnesty and nine other rights groups urged
member states of the UN Human Rights Council to establish a mechanism to
collect, preserve and analyze evidence of the most serious crimes committed in
the Islamic republic.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Al Arabiya
--------
Envoy: Origin of Contamination Declared by IAEA
Unknown to Iran
2021-September-16
"It is regrettable that despite Iran’s written
explanations regarding the presence of depleted uranium contamination, which
were delivered to the Agency on 26 May 2021, the Agency still keeps repeating
that 'Iran had yet to provide an explanation'. The Agency has to rectify this
situation," Qaribabadi said, addressing the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA)'s board of governors' meeting on 'Report of the IAEA Director
General'.
"As it was explained by Iran, based on our
investigation into the background of the activities carried out in the
location, there was no precedent of any nuclear activity; therefore, the origin
of the contamination declared by the Agency is absolutely unknown to us.
Nevertheless, the depleted uranium contamination originating from commercially
available uranium-derived products is nothing unusual and is not a significant
issue," he added.
The full text of the Iranian envoy's remarks are as
follows:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most
Merciful
Madam Chairperson,
Director General,
Excellencies, Dear Colleagues,
At the outset, allow me to point out that the Director
General’s latest report under this agenda item includes some aspects which I
deem it necessary to elaborate them more for the sake of establishing a better
understanding about the work done and the future perspective in this regard.
First and foremost, I would like to reiterate the fact
that, there is no safeguards related issue regarding Iran’s ongoing nuclear
activities and this important point has been confirmed, once again consistent
with the previous ones, in the current report of the Director General.
Likewise, Iran has voluntarily continued practical and constructive
interactions and working relations with the Agency to address questions about a
few immaterial and insignificant issues. Despite sincere efforts, it is
profoundly inadequate that, the Secretariat has taken a counterproductive and
hasty approach in reporting the matter at the expense of its own credibility.
Madam Chairperson,
While Iran has been positively responding to different
requests by the Director General, the current report of the Agency is mostly, a
repetition of the previous report without reflecting appropriately the recent
and ongoing developments and progress between the two parties. Unfortunately
such positive and constructive approach shown by Iran was not reciprocated
appropriately by the Agency, which could turn into an obstacle for future
good-will interactions between the two sides.
Having said this, allow me, Madam Chairperson, to explain
some of the outstanding aspects of the recent progress, parts of which were
also raised in the report of the Director General, as follows:
1. Iran has already provided the Agency with the
complete background information on activities in Location 4, as the Agency
calls it, both orally and in writing, the supporting documents of which have
also been presented to the Agency on 24 August 2021. Iran has also responded to
the questions of the Agency on 24 August 2021, which were delivered to it
unofficially on 26 May 2021. In this context it is regrettable that despite
Iran’s written explanations regarding the presence of depleted uranium
contamination, which were delivered to the Agency on 26 May 2021, the Agency
still keeps repeating that “Iran had yet to provide an explanation”. The Agency
has to rectify this situation. As it was explained by Iran, based on our
investigation into the background of the activities carried out in the
location, there was no precedent of any nuclear activity; therefore, the origin
of the contamination declared by the Agency is absolutely unknown to us.
Nevertheless, the depleted uranium contamination originating from commercially
available uranium-derived products is nothing unusual and is not a significant
issue.
It is a source of serious concern that after numerous
communications and interactions on this subject and providing information,
explanations and complete set of documentation, the Agency sent a letter on 2
September 2021, referencing to some commercial satellite imageries for the
period of 1994 till 2018, to claim that some of Iran’s explanations are not
consistent with the imageries. Firstly, some satellite imageries cannot prove
that activities in contradiction with Iran’s statement have occurred. Secondly,
a serious question is raised that why the Agency had not provided Iran with
these imageries before in order to be assessed and responded to. Apparently
this has become a malpractice by the Agency that every time that we come close
to concluding an issue, new questions are raised which prepares the ground for
an open and endless process. This practice is not acceptable and contradicts
the Agency’s professionalism. Considering all that was explained above and also
numerous meetings, communications and explanations provided by Iran, we believe
and highly expect that the Agency is able to conclude this matter as resolved.
2. On the natural uranium in the form of a metal disc
at location 2, as the Agency calls it, I should remind and recall that the
Agency’s inspectors carried out in-field verification activity on this matter
at a declared facility twice during the second half of 2020. These were in
addition to the annual PIV which usually is carried out in the first half of
the year. In the May meeting in Tehran, we challenged the Agency’s claims on
this issue which are merely based on a few non-authentic and unsubstantiated
images without presenting any supporting evidence. We have stated vividly to
the Agency that it is not possible for Iran to take any action accordingly, and
it is upon the Agency to rectify this improper practice. Nevertheless, as a
sign of good-faith, Iran informed the Agency in May in Tehran that if an
additional verification activity, as requested by the Agency, would conclude
the matter, we are ready to voluntarily facilitate the implementation of the
request. Now, it is upon the Agency to take a professional and proper decision
in this regard.
3. Having different opinions on the modified Code 3.1
is not a new issue between Iran and the Agency and dates back to almost two
decades ago. It should be reminded that in the new phase, Iran, among the
voluntary and transparency measures, accepted implementation of the modified
Code 3.1 based on paragraph 65 of the JCPOA.
Madam Chairperson,
I would like to seriously convey my concerns over the
aggrandizing of few insignificant old issues from the secretariat. The Director
General’s statement in his last report stating that “the lack of progress in
clarifying the Agency’s questions concerning the correctness and completeness
of Iran’s safeguards declarations was seriously affecting the ability of the
Agency to provide assurance of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear
programme”, is veritably a clear indication of exaggerations on these issues.
The Agency should avoid politicizing and maintain its professionalism in its
positions and reports. How is it possible that an insignificant amount of
material belonging to two decades ago affect the peaceful nature of the nuclear
program of a country, while that country is hosting more than 20 percent of the
Agency’s inspections at the global level and has accepted, for more than 5
years, the most robust verification and monitoring activities of the Agency?!
The statement of the Agency in its report is completely unprofessional,
illusory and unfair. We really hope that the Director General rectifies it
because continuation of this path may negatively affect Iran’s approach toward
the Agency.
In this context, I would like to reiterate that
constructive engagement requires positive environment, avoiding expressing any
pre-judgment, raising artificial concerns or deadlines, as well as unnecessary
and disproportionate overstatement of the trivial issues.
Iran is committed to its obligations under the CSA. It
should be noted that all nuclear material and facilities including LOF's in
Iran are under the Agency’s safeguards in accordance with the CSA and there is
no indication of diversion in declared nuclear material and activities in Iran.
Madam Chairperson,
Reacting to some points raised in this meeting, I
would like to reiterate that it is a bitter irony of the history that, the
Agency overlooks Israeli regime’s nuclear weapon program in the volatile region
of the Middle East.
Regrettably, this regime continues to ignore the international
community by downplaying the significance of the Treaty, denying acceding to
the Treaty and refusing to place all its nuclear facilities and activities
under the Agency's comprehensive safeguards regime. Quite to the contrary,
Israel is now even enjoying a more preferential treatment as compared with that
of the Nuclear Weapon States, who are members to the NPT and have several
obligations specifically under Articles I and VI of the Treaty. While for being
still out of the NPT, Israel is free from any obligations under the Treaty, and
enjoys all advantages of the IAEA Statute which are interlinked with the NPT.
Such a situation has given this regime the audacity to
ridicule the authority and mandate of the Agency in preventing the diversion of
its nuclear materials and activities. Most importantly, this regime has become
so cynically bold as to manipulate the realities and criticize other Members of
the NPT on the account that they have obligations due to their membership in
the Treaty, but Israel has not. This is a very serious shortcoming and failure
in the work of the Agency, which should be addressed properly.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Fars News Agency
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000625000452/Envy-Origin-f-Cnaminain-Declared-by-IAEA-Unknwn-Iran
--------
Iran Reiterates Support for Lebanon, Readiness to Help
2021-September-16
During the meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, Amir
Abdollahian underlined the need for the further expansion of relations between
Iran and Lebanon, voicing the country's readiness to meet different needs of
Lebanon.
He congratulated the Lebanese people on the formation
of a new government in the country, adding that the Iranian government under
President Ebrahim Rayeesi pays due attention to providing support for the Axis
of Resistance.
The honorable resistance of the Lebanese people
against the Zionist and Takfiri enemies is a source of honor and pride for all
the regional nations and the freedom-seekers across the world, Amir Abdollahian
said.
The Lebanese envoy, for his part, congratulated the
Iranian foreign minister on his appointment to the post.
Safieddin said that the Lebanese people are grateful
for the Iranian support for their country during tough times.
He also thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for
selling the most needed fuel to Lebanon.
Tankers carrying Iran-sent fuel arrived in the Lebanese
territories on Thursday, bringing joy to people who have been facing acute fuel
shortage in the past few months.
A convoy of tankers loaded with Iranian mazut had
entered the village of Hawsh al-Sayyed Ali in Lebanon’s Northeastern
Baalbek-Hermel province on Thursday, Lebanon 24 News reported.
The media director of the Lebanese resistance movement
Hezbollah said that the tankers will first stop between the villages of Ain and
Laboueh and that their last station would be the entrance to Southern Baalbek.
Speaking on Wednesday night, Hezbollah
Secretary-General Seyed Hassan Nasrallah urged people not to gather to observe
the convoy both for their own safety and the movement of the tankers.
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Source: Fars News Agency
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000625000376/Iran-Reieraes-Sppr-fr-Lebann-Readiness-Help
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Ambassador: Iran Wants Removal of Sanctions in Action
2021-September-16
The Islamic Republic is taking a negotiating approach
to resolve its differences with other states, Baharvand said on Wednesday.
"We need to ensure that if someone like Trump
takes power in the US again, he/she would not destroy the outcome of the
negotiations," he stated.
Iran is not going to talk about the region and other
issues that have nothing to do with the JCPOA and the nuclear talks, Baharvand
added.
"We must also see the practical action of other
JCPOA participants in lifting the sanctions," he said, adding that Iran
cannot be a member of the agreement and accept its undertakings and at the same
time be deprived of its benefits.
In relevant remarks on Wednesday, Iran’s
Representative at International Organizations in Vienna Kazzem Qaribabadi said
that the western states should not expect Iran to show more tolerance in
suspending the development of its peaceful nuclear program while the country is
still under the harshest US sanctions.
“I would like to re-emphasize on this point that until
the sanctions on Iran are not removed, no one should expect more forbearance
form Iran,” Qaribabadi said, addressing the quarterly meeting of the
International Atomic Energy agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on 'Verification
and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in Light of United Nations
Security Council resolution 2231 (2015)' in Vienna.
He noted that Iran’s nuclear activities, including
enrichment at different levels and production of metallic based uranium fuel
are completely peaceful and under the safeguards monitoring and verification of
the Agency, adding, “I sincerely advise these countries to abandon scapegoating
and start rectifying their failure in implementing their commitments. Iran has
fulfilled completely, in past 3 years, its share of prudence and
constructiveness.”
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Fars News Agency
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000625000475/Ambassadr-Iran-Wans-Remval-f-Sancins-in-Acin
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Iran arrests rapper who blasted ‘regime apologists’:
Rights group
16 September ,2021
Iran earlier this week arrested an Iranian rapper who
openly criticized the regime, its “apologists” abroad, and the status quo in
the country in his songs.
Security forces arrested Toomaj Salehi at his home in
Isfahan on Monday and took him to an unknown location, the Human Rights
Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported.
HRANA is a news site run by a group of Iranian human
rights advocates.
“Security forces searched his home and took away some
of his personal belongings,” the agency said.
The Iranian judiciary and state media have not commented
on Salehi’s arrest.
Days before his arrest, Salehi had said on his Twitter
account that he may be arrested. His Instagram account, where he posted his
songs, as well as his Twitter account, are no longer accessible.
Some Iranian activists believe one of Salehi’s latest
songs, titled “Soorakh Moosh” (Mouse Hole), is what led to his arrest.
The song went viral on social media last month and was
well received by many Iranians who praised Salehi for openly criticizing the
regime from inside Iran.
Regime apologists
Salehi went a step further in the song, criticizing
not only the regime, but also those he referred to as supporters and
“apologists” of the regime, both at home and abroad.
“Without your apologism, this regime is incomplete,”
Salehi says in the song, criticizing journalists, celebrities, and the National
Iranian American Council (NIAC), a Washington-based NGO.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Al Arabiya
--------
Yemen president renews support to UN-led effort to end
war in Yemen
September 16, 2021
AL-MUKALLA: Yemen’s president reiterated his
government’s support to the current UN-led peace efforts to end the war and
accused the Iran-backed Houthis and Tehran of intensifying the suffering of the
Yemenis through their military escalation.
During his first meeting with the UN’s new special
envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi urged the
international community to put an end to the threats to maritime navigation in
the Red Sea posed by the Houthis, who have planted naval mines.
The president also urged the militia to cease the
shelling of vital civilian facilities such as Mocha port and their resistance
to maintaining the floating oil tanker SAFER.
“Peace is our choice and we will always be advocates
of peace and harmony as it is a life choice for our people and for humanity as
a whole,” Hadi told the UN envoy, according to the official news agency SABA.
Grundberg’s push to revive peace efforts comes as
dozens of combatants, including a field government military leader, were killed
in fierce clashes between Houthis and government troops in Yemen’s central
province of Al- Bayda, residents and local military officials told Arab News on
Thursday.
The fighting broke out over the last 24 hours when the
Houthis renewed their push in the central province, making gains on the ground
in Al-Souma district, triggering heavy clashes that left dozens dead.
Col. Ahmed Al- Damani, a government military
commander, and many others were killed in an area north of Mukayras as they
were fighting off Houthi attacks in Al-Bayda.
As the Houthis were fighting their way into Al-Bayda’s
borders with the southern provinces, such as Abyan and Shabwa, the army on
Thursday dispatched tanks, armed vehicles and soldiers to the battlefields to
stop the Houthi advances.
Flatbed trucks carrying tanks and military vehicles
carrying soldiers were seen leaving military bases in Shabwa and Abyan and
heading to flashpoint sites north of Lowder town in Abyan. Warplanes from the
Arab coalition carried out several air raids, targeting Houthi military
gatherings in Al-Bayda.
Residents in Lowder said on Thursday that a large
explosion shook the town after a missile fired by the Houthis exploded inside a
military base, causing damage to buildings.
No one was reportedly hurt in the missile strike.
The Houthi escalation in Al-Bayda comes after the
militia suffered heavy casualties and a series of defeats during their deadly
offensive on the central city of Marib.
Yemen’s Defense Ministry on Thursday said that
government troops engaged in heavy battles with the Houthis west of Marib.
Yemen army commanders believe that hundreds of Houthis
have been killed in deadly clashes in the province of Marib this month.
The Houthis, who militarily took power in Yemen in
late 2014, have been aggressively pushing since February to take control of the
gas-rich city of Marib, the government’s last stronghold in the north.
Meanwhile, violent protests in southern Yemen on
Thursday subsided as local authorities deployed forces and military vehicles
around key institutes and opened blocked roads.
At least three people were killed in Aden and Al-
Mukalla, the provincial capital of Hadramout, on Tuesday and Wednesday when
angry protests over long power cuts, economic meltdown and plunging currency
swept over the southern cities.
Protesters blocked roads, burned tires and garbage
boxes and hurled stones at security forces seeking to unblock the roads.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1930271/middle-east
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Houthi militia group arrested for assassination plot
on government military officials
September 17, 2021
LONDON: Police in Yemen's province of Marib arrested a
group of Houthi militia planning to bomb public places with the aim to
assassinate government military officials, state news agency Saba reported on
Thursday.
The commander of Special Forces in Marib Brig. Gen.
Saleem Al-Sayyaghi told Saba that a cache of explosives and maps of bomb sites
were seized in possession of the Houthi members.
Initial investigations, he said, revealed that those
arrested “steered by the Iran-backed Houthi militia” and were tasked with
bombing civilian crowds and military leaders.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1930461/middle-east
--------
Africa
Boko Haram targets military convoy in Nigeria, kills
12 soldiers
Adam Abu-bashal
17.09.2021
ABUJA, Nigeria
The Boko Haram terrorist group attacked a military
convoy in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state Thursday, killing 12 soldiers.
According to local reports, the attack took place as
the convoy was travelling on a highway between Borno’s capital Maiduguri and
the garrison town of Monguno.
The group also seized three trucks.
Boko Haram has been carrying out violent attacks on
civilians in communities and military bases in the region since July 2009.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Anadolu Agency
--------
Somali president suspends premier’s power to hire,
fire officials
Magdalene Mukami
16.09.2021
MOGADISHU, Somalia
Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Thursday
suspended the prime minister’s power to hire and fire officials, accusing him
of taking “rush and hasty decisions.”
This came after Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble
removed Internal Security Minister Hassan Hundubey Jimale last week and
replaced him with Abdullahi Mohamed Nur.
According to the presidency, there were "no
working relations between the president and the prime minister."
Tensions mounted between Mohamed and Roble after they
chose different individuals to head the country’s spy agency earlier this
month.
Last week, the prime minister suspended Fahad Yasin,
director of the spy agency, saying he failed to provide reliable evidence of
investigations into the alleged killing on an intelligence agent in June.
Roble appointed Bashir Mohamed Jama as the agency's
interim head, while the president named Yasin Abdullahi Mohamed.
The presidency accused the prime minister of
infringing the country’s constitution by overstepping his mandate.
The escalating rift between the top political leaders
has caught the attention of foreign missions amid heightened political tensions
in the country.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Anadolu Agency
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Somalia’s regional leaders urge end to power struggle
17 September ,2021
Somalia’s regional leaders on Friday called for the
president and prime minister to end their damaging feud which has stoked deep
concerns about the stability of the Horn of Africa nation.
The row escalated on Thursday when President Mohamed
Abdullahi Mohamed, who is popularly known as Farmajo, suspended the executive
powers of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble.
The two men have been at odds over top security
appointments in a dispute that comes as Somalia struggles to hold repeatedly
delayed elections and confront a violent extremist insurgency.
Somalia’s state leaders called on the protagonists to
stop “exchanging statements,” resolve their disagreements through mediation and
respect the interim constitution.
“The presidents of the federal member states are
concerned about the current conflict in Somali federal institutions which does
not serve the public interest, leads to insecurity and political instability,”
the presidents of Jubaland, Southwest, Galmudug, Hirshabele and Puntland said
in statement.
They also urged electoral bodies to speed up the
long-delayed polls.
Farmajo’s four-year mandate expired in February, but
was extended by parliament in April, triggering deadly gun battles in
Mogadishu, with some rivals viewing it as a flagrant power grab.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Al Arabiya
--------
Egypt’s President Sisi pushes for December elections
in Libya
16 September ,2021
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged support
Thursday for elections in Libya in talks with interim prime minister Abdulhamid
Dbeibah, days after meeting commander Khalifa Haftar.
Sisi “stressed the importance of the upcoming Libyan
elections in respecting and activating the free will of the ... Libyan people,”
a presidency statement said.
During a visit to Tripoli on Tuesday, US Department of
State Counsellor Derek Chollet said the war-torn country had “the best
opportunity ... in a decade to bring the conflict to closure.”
An interim government was established earlier this
year to lead conflict-ridden Libya toward December 24 parliamentary and
presidential polls.
Parliament speaker Aguila Saleh, who also met Sisi
alongside eastern-based commander Haftar, ratified a law last week governing
the presidential elections.
Critics accused him of failing to follow due process
and seeking to favor Haftar.
The mercurial general, who lived in the US state of
Virginia for decades before returning during the revolution, leads forces that
have de facto control over Libya’s east and part of the south.
He is increasingly expected to run in the country’s
presidential poll later this year.
Cairo has long been seen as one of Haftar’s main
supporters.
Egypt’s war-scarred neighbor is trying to extricate
itself from a decade of turmoil following the 2011 toppling of Former Libyan
President Muammar Gaddafi.
In recent years, the country has been split between
rival administrations backed by foreign powers including Turkey and the United
Arab Emirates.
In his meeting with Dbeibah, Sisi rejected all forms
of “foreign interference” in Libya, the statement added, in an implicit rebuke
of Turkey’s military backing of Tripoli-based Government of National Accord.
According to the UN, some 20,000 mercenaries and
foreign fighters were still in Libya last year.
Please click the following url to read the full text
of the original story:
Source: Al Arabiya
--------
Haftar’s eastern forces and Chadian rebels clash in
southern Libya
15 September ,2021
The Libyan National Army (LNA) of eastern-based
commander Khalifa Haftar clashed with Chadian rebel forces in the south of
Libya on Tuesday and Wednesday, both sides said.
The fighting underscores the risk of further
instability in the Sahel region, where an array of groups operate across
borders and where fighting has created space for militant organizations.
Statements from the LNA, which holds most of eastern
and southern Libya, said it was engaged in military operations against what it
called terrorist groups and the Chadian opposition.
The rebel group Front for Change and Concord in Chad
(FACT) said via social media that its positions on the frontier had been
attacked by Haftar’s forces, fighting alongside what it said were Sudanese
mercenaries and French troops.
The LNA said it had carried out air strikes and was
conducting aerial patrols. FACT said French air strikes had hit its positions.
The French army said it had no forces on the ground or
in the air in that area.
FACT had been based in Libya and fought alongside the
LNA during periods of Libya’s civil war, receiving heavy arms from Haftar,
researchers say.
In April, FACT advanced into northern Chad, battling
the army there. Chadian authorities said president Idriss Deby, who had ruled
for 30 years, was killed in the clashes. His son has taken over as transitional
president.
The LNA, which was backed in the Libyan conflict by
the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Egypt, also used fighters from Sudan and
Syria as well as those provided by the Russian Wagner Group, a UN panel of
experts has said.
The UAE deployed drone strikes in support of the LNA
during its foiled 14-month offensive to capture Tripoli, which ended last year.
The US military has said that Russia flew jets to Libya last year to support
LNA operations.
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Source: Al Arabiya
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North
America
US Treasury sanctions five Turkey-based al-Qaeda
facilitators
17 September ,2021
The US Treasury placed five Turkey-based al-Qaeda
facilitators and financiers on its sanctions blacklist Thursday, as it focuses
its attention on the extremist group’s network in the country.
The Treasury said Egypt-born Turkish lawyer Majdi
Salim and another Egyptian citizen, Muhammad Nasr al-Din al-Ghazlani, acted as
financial couriers for al-Qaeda in Turkey.
The group, designated by the United States as a terror
organization, “used Turkey-based financial couriers... to facilitate funds
transfers on behalf of al-Qaeda, including providing money to the families of
imprisoned al-Qaeda members,” the Treasury said in a statement.
Three Turkish nationals, Cebrail Guzel, Soner
Gurleyen, and Nurettin Muslihan, were accused of having helped facilitate
al-Qaeda’s network across Turkey and into neighboring Syria.
Thursday’s announcement followed a similar sanctions
designation in late July of two Turkey-based “financial facilitators” of
al-Qaeda and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an extremist group based in Syria with ties
to al-Qaeda.
Concern has grown in Washington over a potential
revival of al-Qaeda, responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the United States 20
years ago, after US troops withdrew from Afghanistan in August.
Al-Qaeda had been sheltering in Taliban-held Afghanistan
in the late 1990s, and the US invasion in 2001 toppled the extremist regime in
a bid to find al-Qaeda’s leaders.
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Source: Al Arabiya
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