Saturday, January 8, 2011
Qatar recognizes the Republic of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state, confirms the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Kosovo..
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar has notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo through a note verbale that the Emirate of Qatar has decided to recognize the independence of the Republic of Kosovo on January 4, 2011.
On its diplomatic note, Qatar has expressed readiness to establish diplomatic and strengthen economic relations with the new Balkans country.
The News:
http://www.newkosova … os-independence.html
Thursday, January 6, 2011
South Sudan army signed a permanent ceasefire agreement with insurgents loyal to General George Athor who rebelled following allegations of fraud and rigging during gubernatorial elections in Jonglei last April.
The renegade general accused recently tow senior Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) leaders from his region of hindering efforts to reconcile with Juba and end his rebellion before a referendum on independence the semi autonomous region will hold within four days.
The end of violence in the largest southern Sudan state will allow a peaceful referendum. The General who is accused of being supported by Khartoum repeated several times to Sudan Tribune he was supportive the historical vote.
The News:
http://www.sudantrib … and-Athor-sign,37511
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
On December 31 2010 a bomb killed at least 21 people outside a church in the Egyptian city of Alexandria early on New Year’s Day and the Interior Ministry said a foreign-backed suicide bomber may have been responsible.
Dozens of people were wounded by the blast, which scattered body parts, destroyed cars and smashed windows. The attack prompted Christians to protest on the streets, and some Christians and Muslims hurled stones at each other.
Egypt has stepped up security around churches, banning cars from parking outside them, since an al Qaeda-linked group in Iraq issued a threat against the Church in Egypt in November.
The News:
http://www.reuters.c … dUSTRE6BU2VR20110101
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Yemen has released hundreds of Houthi rebel prisoners as part of a ceasefire in its long-running conflict with the northern Shia group.
Rebels and government officials said more than 400 Houthi detainees were released on Thursday as part of a truce mediated by the Gulf nation of Qatar.
Of those, 270 were set free in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and the rest in the northern city of Saada, the centre of the Houthi rebel movement, a security official said.
In return, officials said the rebels were expected to “surrender weaponry seized during the armed conflict” with the government.
In a statement on Thursday, the rebels said they had returned 10 military vehicles to authorities and had so far received 428 freed prisoners.
The News:
http://english.aljaz … 230183224974178.html