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MIDDLE EAST DAILY BULLETIN 19 DECEMBER 2014 NO: 1867 1. IRAQ, .................................................................................................................................... 4 German Sends 100 Troops To Train Iraqi Forces..........................................................................4 Australian PM Arrives To Baghdad On Saturday ..........................................................................4 Deputy Prime Minister Meets Egyptian Foreign Minister............................................................4 UN approves postponing last Iraqi payment for Kuwait ..............................................................4 Abadi cancels all judicial complaints by CoM against journalists .................................................5 Ahrar bloc: Parliamnt to hold urgent session to endorse Budget Law ........................................5 MP: Arming Iraqi tribes must be by government .........................................................................5 Kurdish MP rules out holding urgent parliament session to ednorse Budget law .......................6 IHEC receives invitation to observe Tunisian Presidential Elections ............................................6 Allawi, Nisoor discuss bilateral relations ......................................................................................6 Yawar: German soldiers will raise the military level of Peshmerga .............................................6 International Alliance wage 61 airstrike on ISIS sites in Iraq........................................................7 Ahrar bloc: we are ready and the rest of the blocs are ready to convene a special session if the budget arrived ......................................................................................................................................7 Al-Nusor to discuss a number of files with Iraq in Baghdad ........................................................7 Abadi orders to cancel all lawsuits filed against journalists by the Council of Ministers.............8 Salahuddin announces the reasons for its refusal to Erbil’s conference .....................................8 Biden: Kurdistan is the hope of a free world by fighting terrorism .............................................8 Fatlawi calls Baghdad to take a position from Erbil’s conference................................................9 Jordan confirms its solidarity with Iraq in its war against ISIL .....................................................9 Jubouri confirms need to confront challenges that threaten the region.....................................9 Iraq Kurds, coalition launch offensive to retake Sinjar ............................................................. 10 5 terrorists killed in Habbaniyah ............................................................................................... 10 Iraq’s peshmerga ‘break’ Mount Sinjar siege ............................................................................ 10 US: ISIL top commanders killed in air strikes............................................................................. 10 2. SYRIA ...................................................................................................................................11 Abdullah II of Jordan confirms support tribes in Iraq and Syria to fight the (IS) organization.. 11 Over $900 million needed to help Syria children ...................................................................... 11 Israel lends al-Nusra a hand in Syria.......................................................................................... 11 Coalition air strikes target IS in Syria’s Kobani .......................................................................... 12 UN Should Coordinate Syria Aid Delivery With Damascus: Russian FM ................................... 12 UN and partners launch major aid plans for Syria and region .................................................. 12 UN urges end to Syria fighting in Golan buffer zone ................................................................. 13 Botched cyberattack on Syria group blamed on is .................................................................... 13 US military launch six air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria as it's revealed three of the militant group's top leaders have been killed ................................................................................... 13 Iran backs Russia's Syria talks initiative ..................................................................................... 14 3. IRAN ....................................................................................................................................14 Iran to hold military drill near Strait of Hormuz ........................................................................ 14 Sayfa 1 Iran urged to show more flexibility in nuclear talks .................................................................. 14 Iran Oil Min Says Crude Price Drop A Political Plot ................................................................... 15 "Iran Petrochemicals Report Q1 2015" Published .................................................................... 15 Five people burn alive as car overturns in Iran ......................................................................... 15 Envoy: Canadian proposed anti-Iranian sanctions awkward .................................................... 16 Pakistan, Iran agree to revoke penalty clause: paper ............................................................... 16 Iran to host 3rd GECF summit in 2015 ...................................................................................... 16 Kurdish officials seek better ties with Tehran, Baghdad ........................................................... 16 ISRAEL – PALESTINE..............................................................................................................17 Three years to end Israeli occupation in UN resolution ............................................................ 17 Palestine sets deadline on Israeli occupation ........................................................................... 17 Palestine vote: 'No one cares about us' .................................................................................... 18 US will not back Palestinian UN resolution ............................................................................... 18 Europe's symbolic solidarity with Palestine .............................................................................. 18 Israel detains Palestinian student, child as house demolitions continue ................................. 19 EU should keep sanctions against Hamas: U.S. ......................................................................... 19 Salafists claim bombing of Gaza’s French Cultural Center ........................................................ 19 Hamas reconstructing terror tunnels using Israeli materials .................................................... 20 IDF grants entry permits for Christians in Palestinian territory in honor of Christmas ............ 20 Netanyahu could be disqualified from Likud leadership race. .................................................. 20 UN doubles estimate of destroyed Gaza homes ....................................................................... 20 Israeli soldiers shoot, injure Palestinian near Nablus ............................................................... 21 1,100 French Jewish Teens Celebrate Hannukah in Jerusalem ................................................. 21 Anti-Abbas posters in Gaza portray him hanging ...................................................................... 21 Mossad's best agents honored in ceremony ............................................................................ 21 JORDAN and LEBANON.........................................................................................................22 Jordan submits Palestine UN resolution draft as US remains mum on veto ............................ 22 Lebanon braces for attacks from ISIS and Al-Nusra Front ........................................................ 22 In Lebanon, Syrian newborns risk statelessness ....................................................................... 22 She's ahead of the game: Lebanon’s Yasmine Hamdan enters Oscars race ............................. 23 Berri seeks answers from US about gas dispute role ................................................................ 23 Larijani expected in Beirut this weekend: report ...................................................................... 23 Baath cell kidnapping Syrian rebels arrested in Lebanon ......................................................... 23 Jordan reinforces troops along 378-km border with Syria........................................................ 24 Jordan voices support for Iraq’s security, stability .................................................................... 24 University of Jordan launches anti-drug campaign ................................................................... 24 UN will ‘take time’ to decide on Palestinian resolution — Jordan ............................................ 24 ‘New ID cards to be issued for Syrians in Jordan next year’...................................................... 25 ARABIAN PENINSULA AND THE GULF OF BASRA ....................................................................25 Kuwait says accepts Iraq request on Gulf war reparations ....................................................... 25 Saudi rules out oil output reduction ......................................................................................... 25 Yemen’s Huthis seize Sanaa state offices .................................................................................. 26 Yemen's new cabinet wins parliament approval ...................................................................... 26 Suicide bombers target Shia fighters in Yemen ........................................................................ 26 4. 5. 6. Sayfa 2 Saudi crown prince visits kingdom’s grand mufti...................................................................... 27 Oil dive means rough ride for Gulf states.................................................................................. 27 Oil volatility won’t derail $500bn infrastructure spending in Gulf............................................ 27 OPEC last month refused to cut production at a meeting in Vienna. ....................................... 27 Kuwait's KUFPEC inks deal for China exploration deals ............................................................ 28 What's its secret? Kuwait sustains non-oil growth for two years ............................................. 28 Qatar Tourism Authority opens Asia office to drive visitor growth .......................................... 28 Dedicated sports schools on way in Bahrain ............................................................................. 29 Bahrain-Oman may mull debt issuance .................................................................................... 29 EGYPT ..................................................................................................................................29 Ninth Egyptian dies of H5N1 bird flu: ministry .......................................................................... 29 Military aircraft crashes in joint UAE-Egypt military exercise ................................................... 30 Egypt jails 40 Mursi backers for church fires............................................................................. 30 Obama talks Egypt concerns in call with Sisi ............................................................................. 30 Sisi stresses Egypt's right to Nile water ..................................................................................... 31 Nour Party criticizes electoral constituencies law..................................................................... 31 Fact-finding committee: 12,800 arrested in 30 June events ..................................................... 31 Policeman shot dead in Egypt's Nile Delta ................................................................................ 31 Health Care in Danger: Medical professionals pay price for political unrest ............................ 32 NORTH AFRICA.....................................................................................................................32 Dutch populist lawmaker to be tried for 'fewer Moroccans' vow ............................................ 32 Outrage in Algeria over Islamist call for Algerian author's death ............................................. 32 Haftar set to be Libya’s highest-ranking military official: minister ........................................... 33 Morocco women recruit for Daesh ........................................................................................... 33 Tunisia security tight as election nears ..................................................................................... 33 Benghazi strives for normalcy ................................................................................................... 34 UN urges Libya dialogue ............................................................................................................ 34 Tunisia elected “Country of the Year 2014” by The Economist ................................................ 34 AFGHANISTAN – PAKISTAN ..................................................................................................35 7. 8. 9. Afghan Suicide Bomber Kills 1 ................................................................................................... 35 Detained Taliban insurgents can not recite Kalima................................................................... 35 8 soldiers, 14 militants killed in Afghanistan within day ........................................................... 35 13-year-old suicide bomber arrested in Kabul city ................................................................... 36 PM briefed on security situation at GHQ .................................................................................. 36 Dr Usman, Arshad Mehmood to be executed within 24 hours ................................................ 36 Mastermind of Mumbai attacks Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi detained under MPO ......................... 36 10. TURKEY AND THE MIDDLE EAST ............................................................................................37 Kurdistan Regional Government PM arrives in Turkey ............................................................. 37 FM Çavuşoğlu: Palestinian State should be established as soon as possible ............................ 37 Turkey welcomes EU court decision on Hamas......................................................................... 37 Sayfa 3 1. IRAQ, German Sends 100 Troops To Train Iraqi Forces German government decided to send a training force composed of / 100 / troops into northern Iraq. The German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a press statement that this force will have a supportive role for the forces battling against the terrorist organization (IS). / More Details: http://ninanews.com/english/News_Details.asp?ar95_VQ=HIJMDJ Australian PM Arrives To Baghdad On Saturday Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott arrives to Baghdad on coming Saturday on an official visit of one-day. A diplomatic source told the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA / that "Abbott will make talks with a number of officials on bilateral relations and the war on terror. Australia was announced in October, the first that its aircraft will join the international bombing campaign against the terrorist organization (IS). More Details: http://ninanews.com/english/News_Details.asp?ar95_VQ=HIJMEK Deputy Prime Minister Meets Egyptian Foreign Minister Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs, Saleh al-Mutlaq discussed with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, the importance of activating cooperation in the economic, political and investment frameworks. A statement by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said "al-Mutlaq received the Foreign Minister of Egypt and his accompanying delegation and discussed with them bilateral relations." More Details: http://ninanews.com/english/News_Details.asp?ar95_VQ=HIJMGI UN approves postponing last Iraqi payment for Kuwait The United Nations approved the request of the Iraqi State to postpone the last payment of the compensations for Kuwait for one year. Statement by the UN received by IraqiNews.com cited “The UN Committee for Compensations chaired by Australia held a session on Thursday to study the Iraqi request to postpone the payment for the State of Kuwait till January 1st, 2016,” noting that “The Committee approved the Iraqi request due to the difficult security circumstances in Iraq and the unordinary challenges that face the Iraqi budget.” Sayfa 4 More Details: http://www.iraqinews.com/features/un-approves-postponing-last-iraqi-payment-for-kuwait/ Abadi cancels all judicial complaints by CoM against journalists The Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, dropped all the judicial complaints by the Council of Ministers against the journalists. A statement by Abadi's office received by AIN cited "Based on the freedom of journalism and supporting the journalists, Abadi decided to cancel all the judicial complaints submitted by the CoM against the journalists in order to have a bigger role for the media outlets to contribute in building Iraq and serving the Iraqis." More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/62032-abadi-cancels-all-judicialcomplaints-by-com-against-journalists.html Ahrar bloc: Parliamnt to hold urgent session to endorse Budget Law MP, Hussein al-Shirifi, of al-Ahrar bloc stated that the parliament will hold an urgent session to discuss the Budget Law as soon as it receives it. He stated in a press statement received by AIN "Iraqi will get over the current financial and security crises that were resulted by the former policies," noting that "The Council of Ministers will approve the Budget law and send it to the parliament during its next meetings where the latter will hold an urgent session to endorse it." More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/62033-ahrar-bloc-parliamnt-to-holdurgent-session-to-endorse-budget-law.html MP: Arming Iraqi tribes must be by government MP, Hisham al-Siheil, of the Iraqi National Alliance stated that arming the Iraqi tribes must be by the government. Siheil stated to AIN "Arming the Iraqi tribes away from the government does not suit the current situation in Iraq due to the tensions." "This process must be done by the Iraqi goverbment to unife the military efforts to combat terrorism," he concluded. More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/62035-mp-arming-iraqi-tribes-must-beby-government.html Sayfa 5 Kurdish MP rules out holding urgent parliament session to ednorse Budget law MP, Hoshyar Abdullah, of the Kurdistani Alliance ruled out holding an urgent parliament session to endorse the Budget law. Speaking to AIN, he said "The delay in approving the Budget law by the Council of Ministers is due to the fall of the oil prices to 58 USD a parrel where it is difficult to ednorse an urgent session by the parliament to endorse it during the current parlimentary holiday." More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/62039-kurdish-mp-rules-out-holdingurgent-parliament-session-to-ednorse-budget-law.html IHEC receives invitation to observe Tunisian Presidential Elections The Independent High Electoral Commission announced receiving a formal invitation to participate in observing the Tunisian Presidential Elections. The IHEC stated in a statement received by AIN "The delegation of the IHEC that will head to Tunisia will be headed by the spokesperson of the IHEC, Muqdad al-Shirifi, to participate in observing the Tunisian Presidential Elections that will be held on the 21st of December." More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/62055-ihec-receives-invitation-toobserve-tunisian-presidential-elections.html Allawi, Nisoor discuss bilateral relations The Vice-President, Ayad Allawi, and the Jordanian Prime Minister, Abdullah al-Nisoor, discussed the mutual relations. A statement by the Presidency received by AIN cited "Allawi received Nisoor accompanied by a Jordanian key delegation where they discussed the mutual relations and the means of promoting them." More Details: http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/index.php/political-news/62056-allawi-nisoor-discuss-bilateralrelations.html Yawar: German soldiers will raise the military level of Peshmerga Ministry of Peshmerga welcomed the decision made by Germany to send troops from the army to Kurdistan region. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Peshmerga Lt. Gen. Jabbar al-Yawar said that those soldiers who will train Peshmerga forces, "undoubtedly will raise the level of our forces." It scheduled that Germany would send about 100 troops to Erbil city to participate in training Peshmerga forces fighting against ISIS. Sayfa 6 More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/12515-yawar-german-soldiers-will-raise-the-militarylevel-of-peshmerga International Alliance wage 61 airstrike on ISIS sites in Iraq The US Central Command announced that US forces and its allies have launched within three days from Monday to Wednesday, 61 air raids on ISIS terrorists’ sites in Iraq, and six raids on the sites of the organization in Syria also. The Central Command, based in Tampa, Florida said in a statement seen by "Shafaq News” that 45 of raids in Iraq were in support for the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and Iraqi forces in the north of the country, adding that they have succeeded in destroying about 50 goals. More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/12516-international-alliance-wage-61-airstrike-onisis-sites-in-iraq Ahrar bloc: we are ready and the rest of the blocs are ready to convene a special session if the budget arrived Ahrar Bloc in the National Alliance said on Thursday, that the bloc and all the blocs have the will to vote on 2015 budget and pass it, despite the difficulties that have hindered approving it because of falling global oil prices and big deficits. The MP of Ahrar bloc , Hussein al-Sharifi said in a statement reported for "Shafaq News", that “the cabinet will vote on the budget in the coming sessions and then there will be a special session of parliament held to read and vote on them.” More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/12517-ahrar-bloc-we-are-ready-and-the-rest-of-theblocs-are-ready-to-convene-a-special-session-if-the-budget-arrived Al-Nusor to discuss a number of files with Iraq in Baghdad The Jordanian Prime Minister , Abdullah al-Nusor will start on Thursday a short visit to Iraq at the head of a ministerial delegation to discuss the activation of the joint confrontation of terrorism and to address ISIS organization which is close to the borders of Jordan. The Jordanian delegation accompanying al-Nusor includes a number of ministers , security and economy officials where he will meet Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi to discuss the risks posed by ISIS organization on the two countries and expand the exchange of security information operations and tighten control on the common border from Jordan, for the fact that Jordan is a member in the international coalition to combat terrorism and that can play a big role in this area. Sayfa 7 More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/12520-al-nusor-discusses-a-number-of-files-with-iraqin-baghdad Abadi orders to cancel all lawsuits filed against journalists by the Council of Ministers The Iraqi Prime Minister , Haider al-Abadi has ordered on Thursday, to cancel all lawsuits relating to publication by the prime minister against journalists. A statement issued by Abadi’s Office received by “Shafaq News", said that” the Prime Minister’s order comes out of his commitment to freedom of expression and standing cushions to the press as the fourth power, which detects and evaluates the work of the government. " More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/12521-abadi-orders-to-cancel-all-lawsuits-filedagainst-journalists-by-the-council-of-ministers Salahuddin announces the reasons for its refusal to Erbil’s conference The Governor of Salahuddin, Raed al-Jubouri said on Thursday, that the anti-terrorism conference to be held in Erbil involves foreign agendas seeking to divide Iraq, indicating the rejection of the provincial council to participate in the conference. Jubouri told “Shafaq News", that "We will not participate not the province nor its council in Erbil’s Conference because the conference aims to highly criminalize ISIS and criminalize the popular crowd, and this is what we reject, because the popular crowd has the credit in the liberation of many areas, especially in Salahuddin from the presence of terrorists ". More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/12524-salahuddin-announces-the-reasons-for-itsrefusal-to-erbil-s-conference Biden: Kurdistan is the hope of a free world by fighting terrorism The United States has acknowledged the role of Kurdish Peshmerga forces has played in pushing back the Islamic States (IS) militants in northern Iraq. In a statement from Kurdistan Region’s Presidency, US vice president Joe Biden called Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani on Wednesday night and acknowledged Kurdish forces for being able to fight on behalf of entire free world. More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/12526-biden-kurdistan-is-the-hope-of-a-free-worldby-fighting-terrorism Sayfa 8 Fatlawi calls Baghdad to take a position from Erbil’s conference The independent MP Hanan al- Fatlawi demanded the federal government to take over a position from Washington, London and the European Union’s ambassadors in Iraq for their determination to go to Erbil’s conference to be held today under the name of "fighting terrorism and militias’ extremism." Fatlawi said in a statement "It is inconceivable that the government is turning a blind eye to such a violation by Kurdistan Regional Government," pointing out that "it is illogical to give Kurdistan all what it demands without having a commitment from it to the federal government." More Details: http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/12528-fatlawi-calls-baghdad-to-take-a-position-fromerbil-s-conference Jordan confirms its solidarity with Iraq in its war against ISIL Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi discussed with Jordanian Prime Minister the political and security situation taking place in Iraq and the region, in addition to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. This came during a meeting between al- Abadi and the Jordanian Prime Minister where they discussed bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the economy, trade, agriculture, industry and other sectors. Al- Abadi stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries to serve the interests of the two brotherly peoples. For his part, the Jordanian prime minister expressed Jordan's support and solidarity with Iraq in its war against the ISIL gangs. More Details: http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=25600 Jubouri confirms need to confront challenges that threaten the region The Speaker of the Iraqi Council of the Representatives Salim al-Jubouri discussed in Tehran with Iranian President Hassan Rohani bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of developing them to serve the interests of both sides. According to a statement issued by his office, al-Jubouri stressed the importance of strengthening joint cooperation between Baghdad and Tehran especially in the regional security field and the need to confront the challenges that threaten the region. For his part, President Hassan Rohani expressed Tehran's readiness to cooperate with Iraq in various fields that will enhance the relationship between the two countries. More Details: http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=25595 Sayfa 9 Iraq Kurds, coalition launch offensive to retake Sinjar Iraqi Kurdish forces on Wednesday launched a broad offensive backed by mass bombing from US-led coalition warplanes to retake the northeastern Sinjar area from the Islamic State group. In neighbouring Syria, the bodies of 230 people from a tribe that rose up against the jihadists in the Deir Ezzor region have been found in a mass grave, a monitoring group said. Sixty-one air strikes were carried out in Iraq since Monday, some of the heaviest bombardment since a jihadist onslaught on the Sinjar region prompted the first US air raids four months ago. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69336 5 terrorists killed in Habbaniyah The Federal Ministry of Defense announced yesterday the killing of 5 terrorists and damaging 4 boats in the area near to the Lake of Habbaniyah. The ministry in a statement, PUKmedia got a copy of it said that a force of the Iraqi army destroyed 4 boats used by terrorists belonging to the so called the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant its terrorist operations in the village of Albu Khafaj bordering Lake of Habbaniyah. More Details: http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=25604 Iraq’s peshmerga ‘break’ Mount Sinjar siege Iraqi Kurds claimed Thursday to have broken a siege on a mountain where Yazidi civilians and fighters have long been trapped as the US said air strikes killed several Islamic State leaders in recent weeks. Officials said the twin successes dealt heavy blows to IS's command and control as well as their supply lines, and were the latest in a string of apparent setbacks for the group in recent weeks. The Kurdish advances came during a two-day blitz into the Sinjar region involving 8,000 peshmerga fighters and some of the heaviest air strikes since a US-led coalition started an air campaign four months ago. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69345 US: ISIL top commanders killed in air strikes US-led air strikes against ISIL in Iraq have killed several of the group's senior leaders, but not the group's top commander, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, US officials have said. Since mid-November, coalition air strikes killed "multiple senior and mid-level leaders" within the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement on Sayfa 10 Thursday. "We believe that the loss of these key leaders degrades ISIL's ability to command and control current operations against Iraqi Security Forces, including Kurdish and other local forces in Iraq," the statement added. More Details: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/12/us-isil-top-commanders-killed-air-strikes2014121822466535168.html 2. SYRIA Abdullah II of Jordan confirms support tribes in Iraq and Syria to fight the (IS) organization Jordan's King Abdullah II confirmed that "his country is seeking cooperation with various parties to support the tribes in Iraq and Syria, to meet the organization / IS / and defend their lands, despite the risk of the organization on Jordanian territory." Petra / News Agency quoted the king as saying during a meeting with a number of elders and notables of the southern desert that "there are political and security challenges that surround the Kingdom within the Jordanian armed forces and security services security strategy." More Details: http://ninanews.com/english/News_Details.asp?ar95_VQ=HIJMDL Over $900 million needed to help Syria children UNICEF said Thursday it needs more than $900 million to help children affected by Syria's civil war next year and appealed to donors for support. "The Syria crisis represents the biggest threat to children of recent times," UNICEF's regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Maria Calivis, said ahead of the launch of a major UN appeal for Syrian refugees in Berlin later Thursday. "By the end of 2015, the lives of over 8.6 million children across the region will have been torn apart by violence and forced displacement," she said. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69342 Israel lends al-Nusra a hand in Syria Speaking Freely is an Asia Times Online feature that allows guest writers to have their say. Please click here if you are interested in contributing. Overtly, the Israeli superpower of the Middle East has been keen to posture as having no role whatsoever in the four-year old devastating conflict in Syria, where all major regional and international powers are politically and militarily deeply involved and Sayfa 11 settling scores by Syrian blood. In his geopolitical weekly analysis, entitled "The Islamic State Reshapes the Middle East", on November 25 Stratfor's George Friedman raised eyebrows when he reviewed the effects which the terrorist group had on all regional powers, but seemed unaware of the existence of the Israeli regional superpower. More Details: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MID-01-191214.html? Coalition air strikes target IS in Syria’s Kobani U.S.-led air strikes in Syria focused on the contested city of Kobani near the Turkish border on Thursday, Dec 18, with six air strikes that destroyed seven Islamic State fighting positions, a building and a tactical unit, the U.S. military said, according to Reuters. U.S. and partner nations also conducted five air strikes in Iraq on Thursday, targeting Islamic State militants in Tal Afar, Mosul and Ramadi, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement. More Details: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/186368/? UN Should Coordinate Syria Aid Delivery With Damascus: Russian FM United Nations' agencies, responsible for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria, should continue working closely with Damascus and notify Syrian authorities of their plans, Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday. "Moscow reckons on the United Nations' humanitarian agencies responsible for directing aid to the Syrian Arab Republic to continue to engage closely with Damascus, including by timely notifications about the volumes and nature of the above-mentioned assistance. We also hope that such measures will contribute to the implementation of peaceful settlement efforts by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura," Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its official website Thursday. More Details: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20141218/1016011865.html? UN and partners launch major aid plans for Syria and region As Syria’s war heads towards a fifth year, the United Nations and partners today launched a major new humanitarian and development appeal, requesting over US$8.4 billion in funds to help nearly 18 million people in Syria and across the region in 2015. The appeal includes two main elements: support for over 12 million displaced and conflict-affected people inside Syria, and addressing the needs of the millions of Syrian refugees in the region and the countries and communities hosting them. Sayfa 12 More Details: http://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/2015-strategic-response-plan-syrian-arab-republicdecember-2014-enfrar UN urges end to Syria fighting in Golan buffer zone The UN Security Council on Thursday urged Syrian government forces and rebel groups to stop fighting in the buffer zone between Syria and Israel and withdraw from the area of the Golan plateau which is patrolled by UN peacekeepers. The council strongly condemned recent intense fighting including the use of heavy weapons in the buffer zone, a spillover from the war in Syria. A resolution adopted unanimously by the council extends the mandate of the UN force, known as UNDOF, until June 30. UNDOF has patrolled the buffer zone between Syria and Israel since 1974, a year after the Arab-Israeli war, and for nearly four decades it helped enforce a stable truce between the two countries. More Details: http://www.timesofisrael.com/un-urges-end-to-syria-fighting-in-golan-buffer-zone/? Botched cyberattack on Syria group blamed on is A botched cyberattack aimed at unmasking Syrian dissidents has experts worried that the Islamic State group is adding malicious software to its arsenal. Internet watchdog Citizen Lab says an attempt to hack into systems operated by dissidents within the self-styled caliphate could be the work of hackers affiliated with the Islamic State group. Citizen Lab analyst John Scott-Railton said there is circumstantial evidence of the group's involvement, and cautioned that if the group has moved into cyberespionage, "the targets might not stop with the borders of Syria." More Details: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_ISLAMIC_STATE_CYBERATTACK?SITE=AP&SECTION=HO ME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-12-18-14-04-16 US military launch six air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria as it's revealed three of the militant group's top leaders have been killed The U.S.-led coalition in the Middle East launched 11 air strikes against Islamic State targets today, hitting six targets in Syria and five in Iraq. The raids in Syria focused on the contested city of Kobani near the Turkish border, destroying seven Islamic State fighting positions, a building and a tactical unit, the U.S. military said. In Iraq the raids targeted Islamic State militants in the key cities of Tal Afar, Mosul and Ramadi, Reuters quoted officials as saying. Today U.S. officials said U.S.-led air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq have killed three of the militant group's top leaders but not senior commander Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Sayfa 13 More Details: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2879621/US-military-launch-six-air-strikes-against-ISIStargets-Syria.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490 Iran backs Russia's Syria talks initiative Iran backs talks between the Syrian government and the opposition groups, a senior Iranian diplomat was quoted as saying by local media on Thursday, APA reports quoting Xinhua. Iran supports Russia's recent initiative to host a "Syrian-Syrian dialogue" in an attempt to end three-year-old conflict in the country, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said. It is necessary to hold national reconciliation talks between the government and moderate oppositions in Syria, he said. More Details: http://en.apa.az/-_220623.html? 3. IRAN Iran to hold military drill near Strait of Hormuz Iran's state TV says the military will hold a massive drill near the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf next week. The report Thursday says the week-long exercise will be carried out over 2.2 million square kilometers including the eastern part of the passage, through which one-fifth of the world oil supply passes. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/18/-Iran-to-hold-military-drill-nearstrategic-passage.html Iran urged to show more flexibility in nuclear talks Iran has not demonstrated sufficient flexibility in nuclear talks with six world powers aimed at ending a 12-year stand-off with the Islamic Republic over its atomic ambitions, France and Britain said on Thursday. The remarks, at the United Nations, came just after the completion of another inconclusive round of negotiations in Geneva this week between Iranian officials and the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China. More Details: http://www.france24.com/en/20141219-iran-nuclear-talks/? Sayfa 14 Iran Oil Min Says Crude Price Drop A Political Plot Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh said the continuing slide in the price of oil is a political plot, the ministry’s news agency Shana reported late on Wednesday. “The prolongation of the downward trend of the oil price in world markets is a political conspiracy going to extremes,” Shana cited Zangeneh as saying. He said that the fall in the price, which dipped this week to its lowest since May 2009 at $58.50 a barrel, down almost 50 percent since June, initially stemmed from oversupply in markets. More Details: http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/211792/reftab/69/t/Ira n-oil-min-says-crude-price-drop-a-political-plot/Default.aspx? "Iran Petrochemicals Report Q1 2015" Published The surge in capacity expected in 2015 will not be sustainable if feedstock supply is not forthcoming and markets do not absorb output. While the plants may nominally come on stream, BMI's latest Iran Petrochemicals Report states that operation rates are likely to be low and plants will be operating at a loss unless Iranian producers can pass on the full costs of production onto consumers in export markets. To operate at reasonable levels of capacity utilisation, olefins output would have to increase by a third and polymers by a third, but the demand may not exist and may not have existed even without the sanctions regime. More Details: http://www.usprwire.com/Detailed/Environment/_Iran_Petrochemicals_Report_Q1_2015_Publishe d_328820.shtml? Five people burn alive as car overturns in Iran A car overturned on the Bojnord-Shirvan highway in Iran’s North Khorasan Province, the Iranian news agency IRNA reported Dec. 19. Reportedly, five people – the car’s driver and four passengers – were burned alive in the accident, which took place Dec. 19 at about 4 o’clock in the morning (UTC/GMT +3:30 hours). Currently, an investigation of the accident is underway. Earlier on Nov. 13, a similar traffic accident took place in Iran, where also five people were burned alive as their car collided with a truck. More Details: http://en.trend.az/iran/society/2345576.html? Sayfa 15 Envoy: Canadian proposed anti-Iranian sanctions awkward Canada’s recent stands about inhumane Israeli breaching of human rights shows Ottawa’s full nonchalance towards the issue and so it’s proposed and ratified anti-Iranian sanctions resolution is quite awkward, Iran’s envoy at UN said. “The resolution which was put on Thursday agenda of the UN General Assembly was drafted by a country whose leaders’ records in the course of the past few years, especially in the case of the massacre of the Palestinian residents of Gaza by the Zionist regime prove the politically motivate intentions behind that resolution and instrumental usage of the human rights,” said Hossein Dehqani, Iranian permanent ambassador at UN. More Details: http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81432033/? Pakistan, Iran agree to revoke penalty clause: paper Pakistan and Iran have agreed to revoke penalty clause of the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project for the time being, as both the countries decided to complete the project soon after lifting the international sanctions on Iran, a Pakistani press report said. According to senior Pakistani Petroleum Ministry officials, during a recent visit of a high level Iranian delegation led by Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayebnia, both the countries agreed on revoking the penalty clause of the agreement for the time being, the Business Recorder reported Thursday. More Details: http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81432050/? Iran to host 3rd GECF summit in 2015 The Iranian capital city will be host to the third summit conference of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in 2015. The decision was made at the 16th ministerial meeting of the GECF in Doha, Qatari on Tuesday. According to the GECF official website, the meeting discussed the global gas market report, covering the latest developments in the energy market in general and in the gas market in particular, including but not limited to: short term trend of supply and demand for natural gas worldwide and in specific regions and countries, the evolution of LNG trade across the regions, and developments of the gas prices. More Details: http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81432035/? Kurdish officials seek better ties with Tehran, Baghdad Iraqi Kurdistan plans to strengthen its relationship with Iran, the prime minister of the semiautonomous region said on Wednesday in an acknowledgment of the deepening ties between Arbil Sayfa 16 and Tehran. Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani said in a statement a new oil deal between Arbil and Baghdad would not impact the Kurdistan Regional Government's ties with Turkey, or its growing partnership with Iran. 'We will continue to strengthen our relationship with our eastern neighbor Iran,' Barzani said in a statement read at a Kurdish oil and gas conference in London, according to news agencies. The statement was read by Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the former UK ambassador to the United Nations, after Barzani was unable to attend. More Details: http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81432118/? 4. ISRAEL – PALESTINE Three years to end Israeli occupation in UN resolution The Palestinians on Wednesday presented a draft UN resolution laying out terms for a final peace deal with Israel but sought to avoid a clash with the United States by saying they were open to negotiations on the text. The draft resolution would set a 12-month deadline for wrapping up negotiations on a final settlement and the end of 2017 as the time frame for completing an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories. The draft was presented to the UN Security Council by fellow Arab member Jordan, envoy Riyad Mansour told reporters, thanking Arabs and European nations for their help. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69335 Palestine sets deadline on Israeli occupation Jordan has submitted a draft resolution on ending Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands captured in 1967 to the UN Security Council for a possible vote. The resolution wants Israeli security forces withdrawn no later than the end of 2017. Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said on Wednesday that the Arab-backed resolution does not close the door on further negotiations on the issue, including with the United States. "We will continue negotiating with all of them and with the Americans if they are ready and willing so that we perhaps can succeed in having something adopted by the Security Council to open a serious door to peace," the envoy said. More Details: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/12/palestine-push-un-statehood-vote2014121732331325624.html Sayfa 17 Palestine vote: 'No one cares about us' On Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority (PA) said that it would submit a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for the end of the 47-year-old Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, and full recognition of an independent Palestinian state. The draft is based on a French proposal that was debuted earlier this month, albeit with Palestinian modifications, such as the removal of the section recognising Israel as a Jewish state. The plan calls for Israeli soldiers to be withdrawn from the occupied West Bank within two years, and for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to continue towards achieving a two-state solution: Israel and an independent Palestine peacefully existing side by side. More Details: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/12/palestine-vote-no-one-cares-about-us2014121865434452326.html US will not back Palestinian UN resolution The United States will not support the current resolution put forward by the Palestinians setting the terms of a peace deal with Israel, a US official said. Washington has seen the text of a draft resolution circulating in the UN Security Council and "it is not something that we would support," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters on Thursday. "We think others feel the same and we are calling for further consultations. The Palestinians understand that." More Details: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/12/us-palestinian-un-resolution20141218234156118434.html Europe's symbolic solidarity with Palestine The European Parliament this week passed a motion expressing support for a Palestinian state and further negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians towards a two-state solution - a move that bears few practical implications, but has been championed as a symbolic victory. A large majority, 498 parliamentarians, voted in favour, while 88 voted against the motion and 111 abstained. According to the motion's text, the Luxembourg-based European Parliament "supports in principle the recognition of Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution, and believes these should go hand in hand with the development of peace talks, which should be advanced". More Details: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/12/europe-symbolic-solidarity-with-palestine2014121974228461844.html Sayfa 18 Israel detains Palestinian student, child as house demolitions continue Israeli forces detained a 17-year-old student and an 11-year-old child in Jerusalem, witnesses told Ma’an news agency Wednesday, as Israeli demolition orders could leave 70 Palestinians homeless. That same day, Israeli soldiers arrested a former Palestinian prisoner who had been previously been released as part of a prisoner swap deal. According to witnesses, Israeli forces detained Dalia Murad Mohammed Qarawi, 17, while she was on her way home from school in annexed East Jerusalem. More Details: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/israel-detains-palestinian-student-11-year-old-child-housedemolitions-continue EU should keep sanctions against Hamas: U.S. The United States on Wednesday urged the European Union to keep up its sanctions against Hamas, saying there was “no change” in US policy. “We will continue to work closely with the European Union on Hamas-related issues. We believe that the EU should maintain its terrorism sanctions on Hamas,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. The United States was studying a ruling by an EU court ordering that the Palestinian militant group be removed from an EU blacklist, she told reporters. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/18/EU-should-keep-sanctions-againstHamas-U-S-.html Salafists claim bombing of Gaza’s French Cultural Center A small Islamic militant group claimed responsibility Thursday for a bomb attack that slightly damaged the French Cultural Center in Gaza City last week without causing any casualties. Jund Ansar Allah is one of five groups in the Gaza Strip that subscribe to the Salafist version of Sunni Islam, an ultra-conservative strain of the religion. A five-minute video posted online that could not be verified showed images of attacks on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria group by what it called Crusaders, or Westerners, and showed images of the bomb it said was used in Friday's attack. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/18/Salafists-claim-bombing-of-Gaza-sFrench-cultural-center-.html Sayfa 19 Hamas reconstructing terror tunnels using Israeli materials Sources in Gaza say Hamas has started to prepare for next conflict with Israel, group said shifting war strategy in wake of Iron Dome, from long-range missiles to short-ranged mortars, coupled with multiple terror cell attacks. More Details: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4605504,00.html IDF grants entry permits for Christians in Palestinian territory in honor of Christmas Several Palestinian-Christians will be able to visit family outside of Gaza and West Bank starting December 19th; up to 200 of them will be able to travel abroad via Ben Gurion Airport. Some Palestinian-Christians will be able to temporarily visit family outside of Gaza and the West Bank this holiday season, an IDF Spokesperson's Unit statement said Thursday. More Details: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4605506,00.html Netanyahu could be disqualified from Likud leadership race. Party comptroller accuses PM of using party resources for his primary campaign. Likud Comptlroller Shai Galili invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a pre-disqualification hearing Friday, on grounds that he improperly used Likud resources in his leadership primary run. More Details: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-could-be-disqualified-fromLikud-leadership-race-385184 UN doubles estimate of destroyed Gaza homes UNRWA director warns funds running out to house families whose homes were damaged in military op, may leave 'tens of thousands' out on streets during winter's hardest months. The UN warned Thursday it was running out of funds to house families in Gaza, as it doubled its estimate of the number of homes damaged or destroyed in this summer's war with Israel. More Details: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4605408,00.html Sayfa 20 Israeli soldiers shoot, injure Palestinian near Nablus Israeli soldiers shot and injured a Palestinian man during an arrest raid in the Nablus refugee camp of Askar early Thursday, Palestinian security officials said. More Details: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=748141 1,100 French Jewish Teens Celebrate Hannukah in Jerusalem A full 1,100 high school seniors from twenty-five Jewish schools acrossFrance celebrated the third night of Hanukkah in Jerusalem Thursday, as part of the Jewish Agency's ongoing efforts to reach out to the French Jewish community. The teens were joined by Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky, who lit the Hanukkah menorah and said that the high schoolers' visit to Israel is "a massive expression of solidarity that reflects the warm and unique connection between the French Jewish community and the State of Israel." More Details: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/188852?#.VJPoXsgOA Anti-Abbas posters in Gaza portray him hanging PA president's Fatah rival Mohammed Dahlan calls on supporters to intensify protesters against Abbas in Gaza. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is currently fighting not one but two internal battles - the one against the rival Hamas movement in Gaza with the attempts to reunite the West Bank and the Strip, and the other inside his own Fatah movement against rival Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah strongman in Gaza whom Abbas fired in a power struggle. More Details: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4605350,00.html Mossad's best agents honored in ceremony Citations of excellence awarded to spy agency's outstanding operatives, including 20-year-old woman who penetrated deep into enemy territory at risk of her life. President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and generations of Mossad chiefs participated in a ceremony on Thursday held at the president's residence in Jerusalem, where citations of excellence were awarded to outstanding Mossad agents. More Details: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4605430,00.html Sayfa 21 5. JORDAN and LEBANON Jordan submits Palestine UN resolution draft as US remains mum on veto Palestinian leaders on Wednesday sought Arab backing for a draft UN resolution that would set a two-year deadline for reaching a final settlement with Israel and pave the way for a two-state solution. The draft resolution calls for a "just, lasting and comprehensive peace solution that brings an end to the Israeli occupation" of the West Bank and East Jerusalem and "fulfills the vision" of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as the shared capital. The measure also provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from these Palestinian territories according to a timeframe "not to exceed the end of 2017" – a provision that is likely to run into opposition from the United States. More Details: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/jordan-submits-palestine-un-resolution-draft-us-remainsmum-veto Lebanon braces for attacks from ISIS and Al-Nusra Front The Lebanese Army has boosted its presence along the Syrian border after receiving intelligence that Islamist militants were planning to launch attacks on Lebanese villages in the run up to the end of the year, a security source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, a Lebanese security source said militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the Al-Nusra Front are preparing to launch a series of “coordinated attacks on Qalamoun and Qusayr as well as other areas along the border [with Syria].” According to the official, Nusra will attack Arsal while ISIS will push into Qusayr. More Details: http://www.aawsat.net/2014/12/article55339612 In Lebanon, Syrian newborns risk statelessness Nearly 30,000 Syrian children born as refugees in Lebanon are in a legal limbo, not registered with any government, exposing them to the risk of a life of statelessness deprived of basic rights. It is a problem that is replicated, to varying degrees, in nations across the Middle East where more than 3.3 million Syrians have found safe haven from the intractable civil war in their homeland. More Details: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_LEBANON_SYRIA_REFUGEE_CHILDREN?SITE=AP&SECTI ON=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-12-19-01-43-17 Sayfa 22 She's ahead of the game: Lebanon’s Yasmine Hamdan enters Oscars race Anyone who has seen Jim Jarmusch’s wry vampire comedy “Only Lovers Left Alive” will recall the scene close to the end of the movie, in which the immortal, bloodsucking lovers Adam (Tom Hiddleston) and Eve (Tilda Swinton) cease wandering the narrow alleyways of Tangier to marvel at a throaty, hypnotic performance of the love song “Hal,” by Lebanese singer-songwriter Yasmine Hamdan. Nodding at the swaying singer, clad in black leather trousers and an embroidered belt, her bare arms encased in bangles, Eve tells Adam “Her name is Yasmine. She’ll be famous one day.” More Details: http://www.albawaba.com/entertainment/shes-ahead-game-lebanon%E2%80%99s-yasminehamdan-enters-oscars-race-634384? Berri seeks answers from US about gas dispute role Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has called for an inquiry as to why Washington halted its mission to resolve the dispute between Israel and Lebanon over the exclusive economic zone. Berri, according to visitors, has tasked Lebanon’s Ambassador to Washington Antoine Shedid to find out why Amos Hochstein, U.S. deputy assistant secretary for energy diplomacy, has stopped visiting Lebanon since April. More Details: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Dec-19/281633-berri-seeks-answers-fromus-about-gas-dispute-role.ashx Larijani expected in Beirut this weekend: report Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani is scheduled to start a visit to Lebanon over the weekend, holding talks with Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah’s leadership, according to media reports published Friday. Daily Al-Joumhouria said Larijani would meet the Lebanese officials before traveling to Damascus. More Details: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Dec-19/281632-larijani-expected-in-beirutthis-weekend-report.ashx Baath cell kidnapping Syrian rebels arrested in Lebanon Lebanese authorities have arrested a Baath Party cell allegedly involved in handing over Syrian rebels to Bashar Assad's regime after kidnapping them in Lebanon, security sources said Friday. The sources told The Daily Star that the all-Lebanese, seven-member cell was arrested in Kfar Qouq, in the southeastern province of Hasbaya, earlier this week. Sayfa 23 More Details: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Dec-19/281630-baath-cell-kidnappingsyrian-rebels-arrested-in-lebanon.ashx Jordan reinforces troops along 378-km border with Syria Jordan, concerned over Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, has reinforced its northern border with Syria. Jordan was said to have been alarmed by reports that ISIL was operating in southern Syria near the border with the Hashemite kingdom. Jordan operates 45 crossing points along the border with Syria. More Details: http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=27392#.VJPtDsgOA Jordan voices support for Iraq’s security, stability Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Thursday delivered a letter from His Majesty King Abdullah to Iraq’s President Fouad Massoum that focused on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation. The letter addressed ways to boost coordination and consultation on various issues deemed important for the Arab nation and the Iraqi and Jordanian peoples. In the letter, the King commended the Iraqi leadership’s continued efforts to foster security and stability in Iraq, maintain unity and achieve national reconciliation. More Details: http://jordantimes.com/jordan-voices-support-for-iraqs-security-stability University of Jordan launches anti-drug campaign Students and administrative staff of the University of Jordan (UJ) on Thursday launched a campaign to fight drugs in the Kingdom under the slogan of 'Narcotics Are Destruction'. More Details: http://jordantimes.com/university-of-jordan-launches-anti-drug-campaign UN will ‘take time’ to decide on Palestinian resolution — Jordan Negotiations on a draft UN resolution that sets terms for a final Israeli-Palestinian peace deal will take time, Jordan said Thursday, indicating that a Security Council vote was not imminent. Jordan presented the measure on Wednesday to the UN Security Council on behalf of the Palestinians, who said they were open to negotiations on the text. Sayfa 24 More Details: http://jordantimes.com/un-will-take-time-to-decide-on-palestinian-resolution----jordan ‘New ID cards to be issued for Syrians in Jordan next year’ The Syrian refugee influx is not only affecting the Kingdom’s services sector and infrastructure, but also adds pressure on security institutions and the army, a security official said on Thursday. Brig. Gen. Waddah Hmoud, director of the Syrian Refugee Affairs Department, said the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) is undertaking additional tasks and duties to respond to the situation. More Details: http://jordantimes.com/new-id-cards-to-be-issued-for-syrians-in-jordan-next-year 6. ARABIAN PENINSULA AND THE GULF OF BASRA Kuwait says accepts Iraq request on Gulf war reparations Kuwait said it accepted an Iraqi request related to reparations imposed by the U.N. Security Council over its 1990 invasion of Kuwait, state news agency KUNA said on Thursday, ahead of discussions in Geneva on the request. A U.N. official said on Wednesday that Iraq, its economy battered by declining oil prices and war with Islamist militants, has requested a one-year deferral of a $4.6 billion reparations payment for destroying Kuwait's oil facilities during its 1990-91 occupation. Asked about reports that Iraq had asked to defer payment of the last tranche of its reparations to Kuwait, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khaled al-Jarallah was quoted as saying: "The brothers in Iraq have presented the request formally and unilaterally and Kuwait has accepted and responded to this request." More Details: http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=25598 Saudi rules out oil output reduction Saudi Arabia, the largest producer in the OPEC oil cartel, cannot reduce its output, the kingdom's oil minister said on Thursday despite plunging prices. Ali al-Nuaimi added that commodity price fluctuations are to be expected, and he expressed optimism for the future despite crude's price drop of about 50 percent since June. "It is difficult, or even impossible, for Saudi Arabia or OPEC to undertake any measure that would lead to a reduction in (their) share of the market and an increase in that of others" who do not belong to the cartel, he was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency. More Details: Sayfa 25 http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69340 Yemen’s Huthis seize Sanaa state offices Shiite Huthi militiamen have stormed government installations in the Yemeni capital, tightening their grip on power in the city they overran in September, witnesses said Wednesday. Gunmen from the Ansarullah movement occupied the headquarters of the state-owned Safer oil and gas company and barred employees from entering the premises, company sources said. The movement appointed a new chief for Safer, the country's largest producer of natural gas and second-largest oil producer, the sources said. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69334 Yemen's new cabinet wins parliament approval Yemen's parliament has approved the government of Prime Minister Khaled Bahah with a comfortable majority following months of violence. The 301-seat chamber's vote on Thursday came two days after loyalists of ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh blocked a Tuesday attempt to stage a vote in protest against the authorities' decision to shut their party's offices in the southern city of Aden. President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi on Wednesday ordered the withdrawal of security forces from the headquarters of General People's Congress party that forms the majority of the parliament. More Details: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/12/yemen-new-cabinet-wins-parliamentapproval-20141218151621406607.html Suicide bombers target Shia fighters in Yemen Twin car bomb attacks targetting Shia fighters have killed at least 10 people in Yemen's western port city of al-Hudaydah. Thursday's attack also left dozens of others wounded, the AFP news gency said without giving precise figurers. "The two explosions were the result of two car bombs and left dozens dead and wounded," said an official. The first bomb detonated close to the headquarters of the Shia rebel group known as Ansarullah, which seized the town at the end of September. The other bomb went off close to another position of the Shia fighters west of al-Hudaydah University, not far from the site of the first attack. More Details: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/12/suicide-bombers-target-shia-fighters-yemen20141218163535791606.html Sayfa 26 Saudi crown prince visits kingdom’s grand mufti Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, deputy premier and minister of defense, visited the kingdom’s Grand Mufti Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-sheikh at his home in Riyadh Wednesday evening, local media reported. In a related story, the grand mufti condemned on Wednesday the bloody attack which targeted a school in Peshawar, northwest Pakistan, killing more than 120 people including students. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/18/S-audi-crown-prince-visits-kingdoms-grand-mufti-.html Oil dive means rough ride for Gulf states Gulf countries are bracing for tough times as vital oil revenues fall and after they missed a golden opportunity to diversify their economies in a decade of unprecedented windfalls, analysts say. The six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - could soon start reeling from falling oil prices, which have dropped by half from their 2014 highs to around $60 a barrel. Pumping about 17.5 million barrels per day, GCC countries are forecast to lose at least half their oil revenues, or around $350bn a year, at current price levels. More Details: http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Gulf-braces-for-tough-times-over-oil-price-plunge-20141219? Oil volatility won’t derail $500bn infrastructure spending in Gulf Slumping oil prices will not halt a massive ramp-up in Gulf infrastructure spending, as rich nations deploy huge reserves to maintain a breakneck development pace and the rest turn to buoyant funding markets. However, states are being urged to consider the most effective funding mix for these schemes in the longer term, especially against a backdrop of lower oil prices. The World Bank estimates up to $500 billion will be spent by Gulf countries on infrastructure by 2020, as governments seek to improve the lives of citizens and create jobs. More Details: http://www.arabnews.com/economy/news/676436? OPEC last month refused to cut production at a meeting in Vienna. Overnight West Texas Intermediate for January delivery fell 4.2% to settle at US$54.11 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest settlement level since May 2009. Brent for February settlement declined 3.1% to US$59.27 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Sayfa 27 More Details: http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/59704/? Kuwait's KUFPEC inks deal for China exploration deals The international arm of Kuwait's state oil company has announced that its Chinese subsidiary has three agreements covering three new exploration blocks located in the South China Sea. Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) said that in the event of a commercial discovery in any of the new exploration blocks, KUFPEC China will have a 30 percent working interest in the development. The remaining working interest will be held by the operator, a subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). More Details: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/kuwait-s-kufpec-inks-deal-for-china-exploration-deals575795.html?#.VJPrCshYA What's its secret? Kuwait sustains non-oil growth for two years Kuwait’s non-oil growth, which accelerated notably in 2013, is expected to maintain its momentum, remaining around 5-6 per cent in the coming two years as government development projects keep their robust pace, a report said. Other indicators have also reflected the pick-up in economic activity and the accelerating pace of growth, added the latest Economic Update issued by the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK). Private credit growth has been picking up gradually, reaching 7.7 per cent year-onyear (y/y) in September 2014. If the recent write-off of Family Fund loans by banks is taken into account, adjusted credit growth is estimated to have reached 9 per cent y/y, according to NBK. Total real GDP growth was more modest, at 1.5 per cent in 2013, as a result of a small decline in oil sector output. More Details: http://www.albawaba.com/business/whats-its-secret-kuwait-sustains-non-oil-growth-two-years634404? Qatar Tourism Authority opens Asia office to drive visitor growth Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has announced the opening of its fifth overseas office to promote the destination in the rapidly developing South East Asian market, with special focus on Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. This follows the recent opening of an office in Saudi Arabia to cover the prime GCC market, as well as the QTA's existing international network in the key European markets of the UK, France and Germany. More Details: Sayfa 28 http://www.arabianbusiness.com/qatar-tourism-authority-opens-asia-office-drive-visitor-growth575799.html? Dedicated sports schools on way in Bahrain Dedicated sports schools are set to be built in each of Bahrain's four governorates, as part of plans to encourage health and fitness among the country's youth. They will complement a hospital specialising in sports medicine, which was given the go-ahead at a board meeting of the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) early this week, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication. BOC board member and Bahrain Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Federation president Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa revealed the sports school plans yesterday on the sidelines of the 56th International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance (ICHPER.SD) World Congress held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manama. More Details: http://www.tradearabia.com/news/HEAL_271753.html? Bahrain-Oman may mull debt issuance Bahrain and Oman are likely to finance any increase in fiscal deficits next year through sovereign debt issuance, according to Moody's Investors Service. The ratings agency said that while the six GCC states can withstand the pressure of oil prices averaging around Moody's estimate of $80 to $85 a barrel next year, Bahrain and Oman's credit profiles may be affected, because the two sovereigns exhibit a combination of high fiscal breakeven oil prices and low reserve buffers. Of the two, Oman's overall government finances are healthier, while Bahrain's external position is stronger, the agency added. More Details: http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=392240 7. EGYPT Ninth Egyptian dies of H5N1 bird flu: ministry A 20-year-old Egyptian woman died from bird flu on Wednesday, the ninth death in the country from the virus out of 18 identified cases, the Health Ministry said. Ministry spokesman Dr Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said the woman came to a hospital in the southern province of Assiut on Sunday “in severe respiratory distress.” She was then transferred to another hospital where she died. More Details: Sayfa 29 http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/18/Ninth-Egyptian-dies-of-H5N1-birdflu-ministry.html Military aircraft crashes in joint UAE-Egypt military exercise The United Arab Emirates armed forces said one of its military aircraft crashed during a joint training exercise with Egyptian armed forces, causing casualties, state-run news agency WAM reported Wednesday. Authorities are investigating the cause of the plane crash, which left four joint crew members dead, according to the agency. Egypt and the UAE conducted their Siham al-Haq - Arrows of Righteousness - joint military exercise on Dec. 11 with live ammunition. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/18/Military-aircraft-crashes-in-jointUAE-Egypt-military-exercise-1914.html Egypt jails 40 Mursi backers for church fires An Egyptian court sentenced 40 backers of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi to up to 15 years in jail Thursday for violence including torching churches, a judicial source said. Followers of Mursi have been the target of a relentless crackdown by the authorities since he was deposed in July 2013 by ex-army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The criminal court in Assiut in southern Egypt sentenced two defendants to 15 years each, while the others were given jail terms ranging from one year to 10, the source said. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/18/Egypt-jails-40-Mursi-backers-forchurch-fires-.html Obama talks Egypt concerns in call with Sisi U.S. President Barack Obama spoke to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday and expressed concern over mass trials and the continued detention of journalists and peaceful activists. During a telephone call, the White House said, Obama encouraged Sisi to “invest in the political, economic, and social aspirations of the Egyptian people.” “President Obama also expressed concern about mass trials, the status of NGOs, and the continued imprisonment of journalists and peaceful activists in Egypt,” the statement said. More Details: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/19/Obama-talks-Egypt-concerns-on-callwith-Sisi.html Sayfa 30 Sisi stresses Egypt's right to Nile water President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has highlighted Egypt's right to the Nile water. During a meeting Thursday at the Presidential Palace with members of the Ethiopian People’s Diplomatic Delegation, which groups prominent academicians, former ambassadors, religious leaders, artists, journalists and other prominent personalities, Sisi asked the Ethiopian delegation to issue a parliamentary decision recognizing Egypt's absolute right to the Nile River water. Sisi, meanwhile, affirmed that Egypt starts a new era in Africa, especially with Ethiopia, said Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Alaa Youssef. More Details: http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/sisi-stresses-egypt-s-right-nile-water Nour Party criticizes electoral constituencies law Nader Bakkar, responsible for the Nour Party media affairs, criticized the government on Thursday for what he accused of hastily issuing the electoral constituencies law. “They did not wait for the political parties to study it,” he said. “The government should listen to the political parties because they are the backbone of the political life in Egypt,” he said. “What the government did was unhealthy.” “This law is a waste of time because the Constitutional Court will dissolve parliament if it is formed by an unconstitutional law,” he added. More Details: http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/nour-party-criticizes-electoral-constituencies-law Fact-finding committee: 12,800 arrested in 30 June events Approximately 12,800 people were arrested in the aftermath of the 30 June protest that toppled Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsy, said Chancellor Omar Marwan, secretary general of the 30 June fact-finding committee, in a press statement on Thursday. He added that 1,697 of them have been convicted and are serving prison sentences, 3,714 have been acquitted and 7,389 have been detained pending investigation, according to the records of the Prisons Department on 21 July 2014. More Details: http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/fact-finding-committee-12800-arrested-30-june-events Policeman shot dead in Egypt's Nile Delta A policeman was shot dead by unknown assailants in Beheira in northern Egypt on Thursday, as attacks on security personnel continue despite a crackdown on militant groups. Rabi Mohamed, 38, was shot in front of a friend's house in a small town in Beheira governorate. A source who preferred Sayfa 31 to remain anonymous told Al-Ahram Arabic news website that Mohamed has received death threats from alleged Muslim Brotherhood members. More Details: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/118317/Egypt/Politics-/Policeman-shot-dead-inEgypts-Nile-Delta-.aspx Health Care in Danger: Medical professionals pay price for political unrest Usually being among the first to pay the price in times of conflict, more than 250 paramedic and ambulance service workers have sustained various injuries through different incidents in Egypt since 2011. This indicates an increasing danger to health care providers, Egyptian health officials and experts said at a conference on Thursday. During the Health Care in Danger conference held by the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) and International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), Secretary General of the ERC, Dr. Moamena Kamel said 2012 recorded 921 violations against health care givers, equipment and facilities "affecting 1000 victims, including 614 doctors and nurses.” More Details: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/118274/Egypt/Politics-/Health-Care-in-DangerMedical-professionals-pay-pr.aspx 8. NORTH AFRICA Dutch populist lawmaker to be tried for 'fewer Moroccans' vow Dutch far-right populist lawmaker Geert Wilders is be tried for inciting racial hatred after pledging in March to ensure there were "fewer Moroccans" in the Netherlands, prosecutors said Thursday. "The public prosecutor in The Hague is to prosecute Geert Wilders on charges of insulting a group of people based on race and incitement to discrimination and hatred," prosecutors said in a statement. "Politicians may go far in their statement, that’s part of freedom of expression, but this freedom is limited by the prohibition of discrimination," it said, adding that no date had yet been set for the trial. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69338 Outrage in Algeria over Islamist call for Algerian author's death An Islamist call for author Kamel Daoud to be condemned to death for alleged apostasy has stirred outrage in Algeria, reviving dark memories of the country's brutal civil war. Salafist activist Sayfa 32 Abdelfatah Hamadache Ziraoui has called on his Facebook page for authorities to impose the death penalty against the author and to execute him in public. More Details: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=69337 Haftar set to be Libya’s highest-ranking military official: minister Libya’s internationally recognized parliament is set to promote the leader of the Libyan National Army group, Khalifa Haftar, to the rank of full general within the next few days, making him the highest-ranking army officer in the North African country, Asharq Al-Awsat has learned. “As of now we will request from all media outlets to use the term ‘general’ to refer to Haftar in the news,” a member of Libya’s Western-backed cabinet headed by PM Abdullah Al-Thani, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Asharq Al-Awsat. Earlier this week, Asharq Al-Awsat quoted an unidentified senior Libyan official as saying that the Tobruk-based parliament intended to appoint Haftar as the country’s military commander-in-chief. The minister refused to give further details, saying briefly: “Later, Haftar will be appointed to a senior military position.” More Details: http://www.aawsat.net/2014/12/article55339600 Morocco women recruit for Daesh Moroccan and Spanish security forces on Tuesday (December 16th) dismantled a terror cell that recruited women for the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria and Iraq. The two leaders of the cell were arrested in Fnideq. Another man and four women, including a minor, were detained by Spanish authorities in Ceuta, Melilla and Barcelona. The group sought young women willing to become suicide bombers or brides of jihadists, Morocco’s interior ministry said. More Details: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/features/2014/12/18/feature-01 Tunisia security tight as election nears To prevent terrorists from disrupting Tunisia's historic presidential poll, the interior ministry launched a major security plan. Preparations are under way to ensure that the presidential election run-off goes smoothly on Sunday (December 21st), despite security threats on the border, Tunisian Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou said. "Pre-emptive strikes are occurring daily, the minister added, including the "shelling some terrorists' positions and arresting some of the elements that provide logistical support to terrorist groups," he said. More Details: Sayfa 33 http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/features/2014/12/18/feature-02 Benghazi strives for normalcy Benghazi residents are trying to restore normal life to their city in the areas liberated by the Libyan army. Residents started holding festivals in various areas to amuse children and adults after they suffered in the war against the terrorists. Playing fields and schools were used for holding sports competitions and for setting up children's toys in Ben Younis, Sidi Hussein, Ashreen and al-Baraka streets. The Libyan Red Crescent Society is playing an important role in organising these festivals and helping the city return to normal life. This is in addition to its relentless efforts and the risks that its staff members face in their relief work, including the recovery of bodies. More Details: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/features/2014/12/18/feature-03 UN urges Libya dialogue The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Wednesday (December 17th) voiced optimism over the potential for a political dialogue. "The move by the parties to identify their respective delegations to the talks is a step in the right direction," UNSMIL said in a statement. "In agreeing to take part in this dialogue, all the parties have clearly signalled their determination to spare no effort towards safeguarding Libya's political transition and forging ahead with building a modern democratic state based on the rule of law and respect for human rights." More Details: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/newsbriefs/general/2014/12/18/newsbrief-04 Tunisia elected “Country of the Year 2014” by The Economist The Economist has elected Tunisia “Country of the Year 2014 for its successful peaceful democratic transition and for the “symbolism” it represents in “Arab Spring” countries. After Uruguay, Country of the Year 2013, the weekly magazine elected Tunisia, this year, for the political maturity shown by its leaders and its people, highlighting that “after adopting in 2014 a new constitution, Tunisia, held two elections, parliamentary and presidential polls.” “It is a much smaller nation than Indonesia (second nominee for the title) but we think symbolism matters more than size. The idealism engendered by the Arab Spring has mostly sunk in bloodshed and extremism, with a shining exception: Tunisia” the article reads hailing “Tunisia’s pragmatism and moderation have nurtured hope in a wretched region and a troubled world.” More Details: Sayfa 34 http://www.tap.info.tn/en/index.php/politics2/23429-tunisia-elected-country-of-the-year-2014-bythe-economist 9. AFGHANISTAN – PAKISTAN Afghan Suicide Bomber Kills 1 Afghan authorities say a suicide bomber detonated his vehicle, killing one police officer and wounding at least two more on the outskirts the capital, Kabul. Afghan security officials said the police were following the bomber's car to prevent him from entering the capital Thursday. In recent weeks, Afghanistan has seen waves of suicide bombings - 12 in Kabul in the past month alone - and commando-style assaults by the Islamist insurgents, who are seeking to make territorial gains and to spread uncertainty as most foreign troops withdraw at the end of the month after 13 years. More Details: http://www.aopnews.com/today.html Detained Taliban insurgents can not recite Kalima The Afghan security forces have arrested two Taliban insurgents in northeastern Badakhshan province who are unable to recite Kalima. According to the local security officials, the two insurgents were arrested during an operation in this province. The provincial poilce chief Gen. Abdul Qadir Sayyad confirmed that the two insurgents were arrested during an operation and said they were unable to recite Kalima. More Details: http://www.aopnews.com/today.html 8 soldiers, 14 militants killed in Afghanistan within day Some eight Afghan soldiers and 14 militants have been killed within the past 24 hours, said the country's Defense Ministry on Thursday morning. "Afghan National Army (ANA) conducted cleanup operations in Nangarhar, Badakhshan, Ghazni and Jawzjan provinces over the past 24 hours, killing 14 armed militants and injuring 10 other militants,"the ministry said in a statement. Up to 107 suspected militants were also detained by the army, the statement said, adding the army specialists also recovered and defused 15 roadside bombs and landmines during the operations. More Details: http://www.aopnews.com/today.html Sayfa 35 13-year-old suicide bomber arrested in Kabul city A teenager suicide bomber was arrested by the Afghan national security forces before he managed to carry out an attack in Kabul. The Afghan Intelligence – National Directorate of Security (NDS), said the 13-year-old suicide bomber was arrested from the 5th police district of Kabul city. A statement by NDS said the detained bomber was identified as Bilal and he was looking to carry out an attack in a crowded in area in Kabul city. More Details: http://www.aopnews.com/today.html PM briefed on security situation at GHQ Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and chaired a highlevel meeting on national security on Friday. During the meeting it was agreed that decisive action would be taken against terrorists. The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif and other senior military and civil officials. The premier was briefed by DG ISI Major General Rizwan Akhtar about the security situation in Pakistan and steps taken to eliminate terrorists. More Details: http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169133-PM-briefed-on-security-situation-at-GHQ- Dr Usman, Arshad Mehmood to be executed within 24 hours Aqeel alias Dr Usman a former soldier of the army’s medical corps and the mastermind of the attack on the headquarters of the Pakistan Army in 2009 along with Arshad Mehmood who was convicted for the assassination attempt on former President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf are expected to be executed within 24 hours. Ahead of the executions security has been heightened at the central and district prisons on Faisalabad. It is pertinent to mention that Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif Thursday signed the death warrants of six hardcore terrorists including Dr Usman, whose execution was pending. More Details: http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169141-Dr-Usman,-Arshad-Mehmood-to-be-executed-within24-hours Mastermind of Mumbai attacks Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi detained under MPO The alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi has been detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), a day after being granted bail by an anti-terrorism court. The federal government has decided to approach the Supreme Court to have Lakhvi’s bail cancelled. The ATC had granted bail to Lakhavi on surety bonds of Rs 500,000. Arguments for Lakhvi were made Sayfa 36 by Advocate Rizwan Abbasi while the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar made arguments against the accused being granted bail. More Details: http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169130-Mastermind-of-Mumbai-attacks-Zakiur-Rehman-Lakhvidetained-under-MPO 10.TURKEY AND THE MIDDLE EAST Kurdistan Regional Government PM arrives in Turkey The Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government, Nechirvan Barzani, arrived in Turkey on Thursday evening. Turkish source said “Barzani will hold talks with Turkish officials over energy and security files in addition to meeting the Turkish PM.” More Details: http://www.iraqinews.com/features/kurdistan-regional-government-pm-arrives-in-turkey/ FM Çavuşoğlu: Palestinian State should be established as soon as possible Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that the Palestinian State should be established as soon as possible. Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that the Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital should be established as soon as possible. Çavuşoğlu spoke at an order presentation ceremony held for Palestinian Ambassador to Ankara Nebil Maruf whose term of office has expired. More Details: http://www.trt.net.tr/english/turkey/2014/12/18/fm-%C3%A7avu%C5%9Fo%C4%9Flu-palestinianstate-should-be-established-130267 Turkey welcomes EU court decision on Hamas Turkey has welcomed the decision of a European Union court to remove Hamas from its terrorist list. “From our point of view, this is a positive development,” Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tanju Bilgic said at a weekly briefing Thursday. “Turkey’s position on the Palestinian issue is obvious,” Bilgic said. More Details: http://www.worldbulletin.net/turkey/151133/turkey-welcomes-eu-court-decision-on-hamas Sayfa 37 *This media summary is prepared by ORSAM Middle East Research Assistant Firuze Yağmur Gökler. It covers news and commentaries as reported by the national media sources publishing in the Middle Eastern countries. The views expressed are not those of ORSAM and their inclusion does not imply factual accuracy. *Bu bülten ORSAM Ortadoğu Uzman Yardımcısı Firuze Yağmur Gökler tarafından hazırlanmaktadır. Bülten Ortadoğu ülkelerinin yerel haber kaynaklarından derlenmektedir. Belirtilen görüşler bölge ülkelerinin haber kaynaklarına ve ismi geçen yazarlara ait olup ORSAM’ın görüşünü yansıtmamaktadır. Sayfa 38
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