| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| PA gets a $100 million USD from our allies in Qatar |
| 2015-04-09 |
 [Jewish Press] Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani waves to the crowds at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, Tuesday. Qatar "loaned" the Palestinian Authority $100 million dollars today, to help pay salaries and make up for the tax revenue being withheld by Israel after the PA took unilateral steps against Israel in the ICC and the UN, according to a Reuters report. PA Chairman Mahmoud "Abu Mazen" Abbas officially thanked Qatar. Qatar owns the Al Jazeera news station. |
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| Arabia | ||
| Qatar Losing Mideast Ground To Saudi Diplomacy, Say Experts | ||
| 2013-07-11 | ||
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... which appears to have seized the reins on key issues, notably Egypt and Syria. The decline in Qatar's regional diplomacy comes as its powerful emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani unexpectedly abdicated in favor of his son Tamim last month. The wealthy Gulf state had transformed itself into a key regional player but began to retreat as heavyweight Saudi Arabia re-entered the political arena after lagging behind in the immediate period following the eruption of the Arab Spring uprisings in December 2010. The ouster of Egypt's Islamist president Mohammed Morsi last week by the army and the election by the Syrian opposition of Saudi-linked Ahmad Assi Jarba as new leader stripped Qatar of strong influence in both countries. "Qatar had tried to take a leading role in the region but overstepped its limits by openly backing the Moslem Brüderbund in Egypt, Syria, and other Arab Spring states," said Kuwaiti political analyst Ayed al-Manna. Jonathan Eyal, head of international relations at Britannia's Royal United Services Institute, argued that Qatar's regional politics have failed.
Realizing the damaging effects of their policies, Manna noted, "the Qataris sought to cut down on their commitments" which were already affected by the emir's abdication and the sidelining of the influential prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jabr al-Thani. As a result, "Saudi Arabia, a historical regional U.S. ally, regained its role" in coordination with other oil-rich Gulf monarchies, said Manna. Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah was the first foreign head of state to congratulate Egypt's interim president Adly Mansour, hours after he was named to replace Morsi. And on Tuesday, the kingdom pledged $5 billion in assistance to Egypt. The United Arab Emirates, which has cracked down on the Moslem Brüderbund in the past few months, offered Egypt an aid package of $3 billion. "Saudi Arabia wants to ensure stability in Arab Spring countries, regardless of its ideological interests," said analyst Abdel Aziz al-Sagr, head of the Gulf Research Center. "It had supported the Moslem Brüderbund in Egypt but reconsidered this support after the Brotherhood failed to run the country wisely," he argued. But the Saudi researcher downplayed the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, both of which have been looking to expand their influence during the Arab Spring uprisings and prevent any potential revolt against their own autocratic regimes. "The Saudi-Qatari harmony still exists and there is no battle for influence between the two countries," said Sager. And as proof, "Riyadh was the first to be informed of the political change in Qatar, six months before it took place. And it welcomed it." But the two countries, whose relations have been historically tense or at least marked by mistrust, support two different approaches of political Islam that emerged strongly in the wake of the Arab Spring. Qatar sides with political parties linked to the Moslem Brüderbund, whose experience was cut short despite the strong media support they enjoyed from the influential Doha-based Al-Jazeera  ... an Arab news network headquartered in Qatar, notorious for carrying al-Qaeda press releases. The name means the Peninsula,as in the Arabian Peninsula. In recent years it has settled in to become slightly less biased than MSNBC, in about the same category as BBC or CBS... news channel. Meanwhile, ...back at the shouting match, the spittle had reached unprecedented levels... Saudi Arabia promotes Salafist groups that focus less on politics and more on implementing Shariah Islamic law on daily life matters such as forcing women to wear a veil and prohibiting the mixing between sexes.  King of the Arabians, Sheikh of the Burning Sands Abdullah... Fifth out of 37 sons of King Abdulaziz to ascend to the throne. He is, after his half-brothers Bandar and Musa'id, the third eldest of the living sons of Abdul Aziz ibn Saud. Abdullah's mother is from the Rashid clan, longtime rivals of the Saud. He has 6 sons and 15 daughters and about $20 billion. His youngest son is just seven years old... has reiterated his country's stance against using Islam for political purposes. "Islam rejects divisions in the name of one party or another," he said in a statement marking the start Wednesday of the Moslem holy month of Ramadan. The kingdom will never accept" the presence of political parties, that "only lead to conflict and failure." But regardless of the political agendas of Saudi Arabia or Qatar, the people who rose up during the Arab Spring revolts will have the final word on their own political futures, argued former Bahraini cabinet minister Ali Fakhro. "It is the Arab people, not Qatar nor Saudi Arabia, who will determine the political future of the region." | ||
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| Arabia |
| Qatar's Leadership Shakeup: Powerful Emir to Step Down for 33-Year-Old Son |
| 2013-06-25 |
| [WORLD.TIME] Residents of Qatar can finally stop holding their breath. On Monday evening, the nation's official Qatar News Agency announced that, Tuesday morning Qatar's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, 61, will address the nation with a long awaited announcement that he would transfer power to his son, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, putting an end to rumors and speculation that have occupied this tiny, petroleum-rich Gulf nation for months. The announced move is thought to be part of a larger reshuffle in the royal cabinet that will bring a new generation of younger leaders to the fore--Sheikh Tamim, at 33, will be the youngest ruler in the region by a good decade and a half (Syria's embattled  Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad Leveler of Latakia... , at 47, is his closest peer). Other projected moves have the indefatigable Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, 53, who serves as both Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, stepping down in favor of a younger administrator as well, though there is no official succession plan, or names, in place for the Premiership. Tuesday has been declared a national holiday in preparation for the coming announcements. The Al Thani family has ruled Qatar, a vital U.S. ally that is home to a major American military base, for nearly 150 years. The current king deposed his father in 1995, and is widely celebrated as a competent and progressive--as progressive as possible in an absolute monarchy, at least--leader who has presided over Qatar's growing clout on the world stage. In many ways Crown Prince Tamim, who was declared heir apparent in 2003, leapfrogging his three older brothers, represents a reassuring continuity. For nearly a decade he has been at his father's side, engaging world leaders, representing Qatar at international events and presiding over Qatar's 2030 Vision project, which lays out domestic development goals for the country. |
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| Arabia |
| Emir of Qatar to meet ruling family amid reports of plans to step down |
| 2013-06-24 |
| [ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani will with the ruling family "and the people of solution and contract," Al Jazeera television's Arabic website reported on Monday amid reports that he is planning to hand over power to his son Tamim. The Qatari-owned television network quoted "reliable Qatari sources," about the Sheikh Hamad's plans, but it gave no further details. Diplomats said earlier this month that an orderly transfer of power, which would also include the powerful prime minister stepping down, was being considered, according to Rooters. Quoting Qatari diplomats AFP had reported on June 15 that Sheikh Hamad was preparing to hand over power in the gas-rich Gulf state to his son. A cabinet reshuffle is also expected in which powerful Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani may lose his post, or at least the foreign affairs portfolio, the sources told AFP. The emir "is convinced that he should encourage the new generation" of politicians and rulers, the source added. "He hopes to transfer power to the crown prince, Sheikh Tamim (bin Hamad al-Thani), and to carry out a ministerial reshuffle" and appoint younger ministers, AFP reported, quoting an official. Sheikh Tamim was born in 1980 and is the second son of the emir and his second wife Sheikha Mozah. |
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| Arabia | |
| Qatar Emir 'Set to Transfer Power to Son' | |
| 2013-06-16 | |
[An Nahar] The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, is preparing to hand control of the gas-rich Gulf state to his son, Qatari diplomats and officials said.
A Qatari official told Agence La Belle France Presse on condition of anonymity that the emir "is convinced that he should encourage the new generation" of politicians and rulers. "He hopes to transfer power to the crown prince, Sheikh Tamim (bin Hamad al-Thani), and to carry out a ministerial reshuffle" and appoint younger ministers, the minister said. Sheikh Tamim, born in 1980, is the second son of the emir and his second wife Sheikha Mozah. The crown prince is joint commander of the armed forces and head of the country's Olympic committee. Political sources said that the premier, a cousin of the emir, could lose the foreign affairs portfolio he has held since 1992, and maybe even the premiership which he has held since 2007, in a reshuffle. A French diplomatic source told AFP that the emir could "take a step back, that is, not completely retire but take on a more honorary position, in such a way that his son could take on more responsibilities and become the man in charge". | |
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| International-UN-NGOs | |
| Qatar: Arab Spring Makes Israeli-Palestinian Peace More Pressing | |
| 2013-05-22 | |
[Ynet] Gulf state's emir tells Doha Forum Mideast revolutions put Israel 'in direct confrontation with Arab people, not only their rulers'
"We heard in the past that reform (in the Arab world) must wait until a peaceful settlement with Israel is achieved, but everybody should realize that such belief is now unfounded after the Arab Spring revolts," Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani told a conference in the Qatari capital. "The reason is that the Arab Spring has today put Israel in direct confrontation with the Arab people, not only with their rulers. These people will no longer accept that negotiations are the goal in themselves." He added: "Our region will not see peace unless we see a resolution to the Paleostinian issue." Sheikh Hamad's call for the establishment of a Paleostinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital was broadly in line with a long-standing Saudi plan. "Israel must not lose this important opportunity to seek peace. Israel must withdraw to the '67 borders, with an independent state established with Jerusalem as its capital," Sheikh Hamad told the Doha Forum, attended by a number of leaders including Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Larayedh. He made no mention, however, of the Arab League ...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing... 's acceptance last month that Israelis and Paleostinians may have to swap land in any peace deal, to allow Jewish settlements in occupied territory to become part of Israel. That step has been praised by US Secretary of State John F. I was in Vietnam, you knowKerry Former Senator-for-Life from Massachussetts, self-defined war hero, speaker of French, owner of a lucky hat,conqueror of Cambodia, and current Secretary of State... , due in the region this week in a drive to revive peace talks that have been frozen since 2010. Qatar, a major Gulf gas producer and ally of the United States, has used its wealth to back pro-democracy protests that have toppled four Arab heads of state since 2011, and to support the mainstream Islamist groups that have been catapulted to power. "We are not trying to show off our achievements in Qatar, but what we did was something important," Sheikh Hamad said. Qatar has made no secret of the fact that it is arming Syria's rebels, although rebels and officials familiar with the uprising say it has tightened the flow, in concert with the CIA, to keep the weapons out of the hands of Islamist fighters linked to al-Qaeda. Sheikh Hamad slammed what he called the world's failure to "make the Syrian regime listen to reason", adding: "The international community can no longer stand still as we watch the Syrian crisis unfold." Yet despite its vigorous defense of people power across the Arab world, Qatar has yet to empower its own 1.9 million people in the same way. It has no elected parliament or organized political opposition and restricts freedom of expression, leading to widespread self-censorship among local media. In November, a Qatari court tossed in the clink Maw! They're comin' to get me, Maw! a poet for life on charges of criticizing the emir and inciting revolt. In his speech, the emir called for more dialogue and the establishment of institutions that support gradual democratic reforms, but sidestepped questions related to possible elections in his country. "The current situation is a critical one for the Arab world. People are now calling for broad reforms, mainly participation in public life. We need to listen to what others have to say to establish dialogue, rather than foster violence," he said. "The concept of democracy means much more than casting ballots. We need to instill change gradually through reform and dialogue. Change that takes place too quickly and that does not take into account the complex fabric of societies is dangerous." | |
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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Khatib Demands Syria U.N. Seat, Says People to Decide Who Will Rule Syria |
| 2013-03-27 |
| [An Nahar] Syrian opposition chief Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib said Tuesday he had asked that NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A collection of multinational and multilingual and multicultural armed forces, all of differing capabilities, working toward a common goal by pulling in different directions... 's Patriot missile system be extended to protect rebel zones inside the war-torn country, as he took up Syria's seat in the Arab League ...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing... for the first time. Launching into a fiery ...a single two-syllable word carrying connotations of both incoherence and viciousness. A fiery delivery implies an audience of rubes and yokels, preferably forming up into a mob... speech after leading a delegation into a Doha summit to thunderous applause from Arab leaders, Khatib also demanded that the opposition be allowed to represent Syria at the United Nations ...an organization whose definition of human rightsis interesting, to say the least... . "I have asked (U.S. Secretary of State) Mr. John F. I was in Vietnam, you knowKerry Former Senator-for-Life from Massachussetts, self-defined war hero, speaker of French, owner of a lucky hat,conqueror of Cambodia, and current Secretary of State... during our meeting to provide Patriot (missile protection) that encompasses northern Syria, and he has promised to look into the matter,"Khatib told the summit. "We are still awaiting a decision from NATO on this matter." NATO's sole involvement in Syria's brutal civil war to date has been to position Patriot missile batteries along the Turkish border in order to prevent any air or missile launches from the Syrian side. Khatib, who threw the opposition into disarray by announcing his resignation on Sunday, made it clear that he was still firmly at the helm of the Syrian National Coalition, the main Syrian opposition umbrella grouping. Taking the seat reserved for the delegation head at the invitation of Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Khatib was flanked by other senior opposition figures including prime minister Ghassan Hitto. |
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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan | ||
| Arabs Offer Palestinians $100m A Month | ||
| 2012-12-10 | ||
[Ynet] Arab states agree to provide Paleostinian Authority with $100 million monthly 'financial safety net' after Israel freezes tax payments
... a graduate of the prestigious unaccredited Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow with a doctorate in Holocaust Denial... 's government cope with an economic crisis after the United Nations ...an organization whose definition of human rightsis interesting, to say the least... granted de facto statehood to Paleostine. Israel has responded to the Nov. 29 UN vote by ordering 3,000 Jewish settler homes be built in the West Bank and announced it would hold back payments of customs duties it collects on behalf of the Paleostinians to pay an outstanding electricity bill. In a statement issued on Sunday after a meeting in Doha, Arab foreign ministers called for the "immediate implementation" of a resolution passed at an Arab summit in Storied Baghdad ...located along the Tigris River, founded in the 8th century, home of the Abbasid Caliphate... in March, which called for the provision of a $100 million monthly safety net. But the statement did not give details of how the money would be paid or who would pay.
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund said in September that a gathering crisis in the Paleostinian economy will worsen unless foreign funding increases and Israel eases long-standing curbs on development. In a separate report, the World Bank also forecast a $1.5 billion Paleostinian budget deficit for 2012, with donor funds expected to cover only $1.14 billion of this shortfall. Last Thursday, the Paleostinian cabinet said at a meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah that $240 million were needed every month to meet demands arising from the Israeli decision to stop customs revenues transfers and the failure of donors to transfer previously pledged funds. The Paleostinian Authority exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank and receives most of its aid from the United States, the European Union ...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing... and Arab states. But over the past several years there has been a shortfall in aid coming from Arab states resulting in the PA being unable to pay salaries to its 153,000 civil servants on time on several occasions. The administration has yet to pay November salaries following Israel's decision to withhold money transfers. The Arab ministers also called for convening of a donors conference to discuss ways to support the Paleostinian people in the West Bank and discuss reconstruction in the Gazoo Strip. Qatar's ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, pledged $400 million to help develop Gazoo during a visit there in October. But recent fighting between Gazoo's Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, rulers and Israel has caused further destruction to the territory, requiring more funds for reconstruction. | ||
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| Arabia | |
| Analysis: Kudos to Qatar | |
| 2012-10-26 | |
Wherever there is an issue or a problem in the Arab world that one cannot easily explain, Qatar is often used to explain the unexplainable. I happen to differ. I am impressed with what this tiny Gulf emirate has done since its ruler, Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, took over the reign of power in a bloodless coup while his father was away, in June 1995. Since then, Qatar has become a household name in the Arab world and much farther. I am impressed with Qatar because it has tried to do something with the resources it has for the larger good. To be fair, the country and its leadership have the clear goal of elevating the name of their country. For the most part, their effort has a selfish angle; almost every action or activity has to have a Qatari angle or location. That is not shameful. Countries should put their own interest first. But what Qatar has done for the Arab world goes much further than this narrow view. It is true that the country is blessed with much money, but so are so many other countries in the region and outside, yet none leveraged its resources for a larger good than Qatar. While it is easy to criticize or find a problem with every action of the Qataris, one cannot ignore that they at least are trying to do things, unlike so many who just complain and do nothing. When it comes to media, Qatar has done more to advance free media in the Arab world than anyone. Al Jizz broke so many taboos in the Arab world and introduced a level of professionalism that forced many in the region to follow suit. I remember that before Al Jizz came on air, one would never see a live interview on any Arab TV. Arab rulers would not allow their state-run TV to take a chance of what a guest might say (they were confident that their anchors would toe the line). Al Jizz shattered this attempt at restricting free voices. Sure, Al Jizz has become sensational and has lost some of its professionalism, but its impact as a front runner cannot be denied. The same can be said about the contribution of Al Jizz International, which helps reflect Arab voices and positions to the rest of the world in English. It has become an indispensable source for the whole world now. Money cannot buy that. You need leadership, one that gives space, albeit not absolute, to media professionals. Even in sports, Qatar's ambitions and dream produced impressive results. But perhaps the biggest success of Qatar is to have become visible in the political and diplomatic fields. While this tiny country has the largest US air base, it has not shied away from taking strong positions throughout the Arab world. It has been a strong advocate of the Arab Spring, led the fight for the liberation of Libya from Qadaffy and is a key player in supporting the rights of the people of Syria. In Leb, Qatar's diplomacy secured an agreement that averted another civil war in the country. The Qatari diplomatic machine has been active in Arab League ...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing... and general Arab policy over the past years, but especially this year, when it took over the rotational head of the vaporous Arab League. Qatar has also been active on Paleostine, to the anger or pleasure of different groups and at different times. A supporter of Paleostinian rights from the beginning, Qatar has tried to keep good terms with all parties, with the Paleostinian and even with the Israelis, and of course with the US and other internationally influential players. This week, the Qatari ruler made a historic and unprecedented visit to Gazoo. This was the first visit by a head of state to Gazoo since the Israeli army withdrew and since the Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason,-led government took over. The trip is a big boost for the people of Gazoo and will surely be reflected in the coming years in various construction projects. Some said that the visit is a payment to Hamas for its decision to leave Damascus ...The City of Jasminis the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the world. It has not always been inhabited by the same set of fascisti... since the revolution against Bashir al-Assad. That may be partly true, but the most important aspect for Qatar can and will be if it can succeed in bringing together Paleostinians. Speaking at the Islamic University in Gazoo, the Qatari leader called on Paleostinians to unite and, at the same time, impressed on them the need for a reasonable negotiating position vis-à-vis Israel. These words of moderation have been spoken by many and often, but when they are said by an Arab head of state in Gazoo, they resonate much more. Since 1995, Qatar has certainly left its mark on the regional and world maps. Bringing about reconciliation between Paleostinians and playing a role in Paleostinian-Israeli peace will certainly give this Gulf country a deserved unprecedented status worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize. Daoud Kuttab is a journalist and former professor of journalism at Princeton University. | |
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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Israel says 79 rockets fired at it from Gaza |
| 2012-10-25 |
| Paleostinians fired dozens of rockets into Israel from Gazoo on Wednesday and an Israeli air strike killed a krazed killer, a day after the Emir of Qatar made a rare visit to the enclave's Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, leadership. Hamas grabbed credit for some of the rocket and mortar kabooms, prompting some Israelis to wonder whether it had been emboldened by the Qatari visit on Tuesday that broke the Islamist group's diplomatic isolation. In recent months, Hamas has largely held its fire when other krazed killer factions have launched cross-border rocket attacks, but the sudden upsurge in violence stoked fears that the hostilities could escalate further. Hamas accused Israel of stepping up air strikes in the Gazoo Strip, a move it said was meant to convey Israeli anger over Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani's visit, and pledged to "continue to hold a gun ... until Paleostine is liberated". |
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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Fatah 'not invited' to meet Qatari emir |
| 2012-10-23 |
 [Ma'an] Fatah has not been invited to meet Qatar's emir who is due to visit the Gazoo Strip on Tuesday, a Fatah leader said Monday.Yahya Rabah told Ma'an that Fatah received no invitation from Qatar or the Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason,-led government in Gazoo to meet Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. Rabah, who is based in Gazoo, said Fatah was not informed of the reason for the visit or any of the arrangements but said the trip raised questions. Hamas government front man Taher al-Nunu said Hamas had invited Fatah to participate in the welcoming ceremony for the emir and his wife. Al-Nunu said Fatah official Atef Abu Saif responded with an official apology saying that party representatives would not attend. Sheikh al-Thani will become the first head of state to enter the blockaded Gazoo Strip. He is officially visiting the enclave to inaugurate reconstruction projects worth over $250 million to rebuild the war-torn enclave. The emir had been expected to drive from Egypt's el-Arish airport to the Rafah crossing, but due to security concerns he will fly by military helicopter to the Egyptian border, an Egyptian military official told Ma'an on Monday. The Qatari official is traveling with a 61-person delegation, including his wife and ministers. Egyptian security forces are on high alert in Sinai because of the visit, the military official added. Sheikh al-Thani's trip will be loaded with political symbolism. The emir will be the first foreign leader to go to Gazoo under the rule of Hamas, an Islamist movement that is outlawed by Israel and the West as a terrorist organization, but whose influence and aspirations in the Middle East conflict may be hard to ignore. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh ...became Prime Minister after the legislative elections of 2006 which Hamas won. President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed Haniyeh from office on 14 June 2007 at the height of the Fatah-Hamas festivities, but Haniyeh did not acknowledge the decree and continues as the PM of Gazoo while Abbas maintains a separate PM in the West Bank... issued a statement confirming the visit and urging "our people to express their good hospitality in welcoming the great visitor of Gazoo". Some residents put up Qatari flags in the streets of Gazoo city. Others attacked the visit on social networks, questioning Qatar's intentions. Some posted pictures on their Facebook pages of the emir side-by-side with Israeli President Shimon Peres. The Paleostinian Authority's Wafa news agency said President the ineffectual Mahmoud Abbas ... a graduate of the prestigious unaccredited Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow with a doctorate in Holocaust Denial... was told of the Qatari visit in a phone call from the emir in Doha. Sheikh al-Thani "told him of his desire to visit Gazoo Strip to inaugurate some projects to reconstruct the strip", Wafa said. "The president welcomed the effort by Qatar to support Gazoo Strip, stressing on the unity of Paleostinian land and ending division," the agency added. It said Abbas urged Hamas to implement signed agreements for the reconciliation of the two rival movements. But Gazoo and West Bank analysts say reconciliation is not on the cards. Hamas is shifting its ties away from Shiite Mohammedan Iran and wooing Egypt's Moslem Brüderbund, its true spiritual mentor, which now runs the country. Analysts say Hamas will use this major injection of Qatari aid and the visit of the emir to demonstrate that it has powerful friends, despite its isolation by the West. Abbas and Fatah, by contrast, have reached a dead end in efforts to revive peace talks with Israel that were suspended two years ago, and have been weakened politically. |
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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Egypt's Mursi says opposes foreign intervention in Syria |
| 2012-09-27 |
| Egypt opposes foreign military intervention to stop the civil war in Syria and prefers an inclusive, negotiated settlement, Egypt's new Islamist president, Mohamed Mursi, said on Wednesday. "Egypt is committed to pursue the sincere efforts it has been exerting to put an end to the catastrophe in Syria within an Arab, regional and international framework," Mursi said in his first speech to the U.N. General Assembly. Such a solution should be "one that preserves the unity of this brotherly state, involves all factions of the Syrian people without racial, religious or sectarian discrimination and spares Syria the dangers of foreign military intervention that we oppose," he said. Mursi's comments contrasted with those of Qatari leader Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who called on Arab countries on Tuesday to bypass the U.N. Security Council and intervene directly to stop the bloodshed in Syria. |
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