Monday, July 09, 2007

7-09-07

* Iraqi FM Warns Against U.S. Withdrawal Iraq's foreign minister warned on Monday that a quick American military withdrawal from the country could lead to civil war and the collapse of the government, as pressure on the Bush administration for a pullout grows.

* Government to set up tent city for Darfur refugees Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter says tents will be erected near jail in south to provide temporary shelter for Sudanese refugees.

* Palestinian PM holds Israel talks Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has met the Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, for the first time since Mr Fayyad took office last month.

* Report: Iran general gives nuclear info Ali-Reza Asghari, the Iranian general who went missing in Turkey nearly half a year ago, is currently being held in a secure US intelligence facility, it was reported on Sunday.

* Jordan celebrates Petra's pick as one of 7 wonders of the world Jordanians rejoiced Sunday over the inclusion of the ancient city Petra in the new seven wonders of the world, celebrating their victory with a fireworks display in the capital and dancing in the early morning hours.

* Sadr movement warns Iraqi PM to back off as no-confidence vote reported brewing against him Followers of Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr accused Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki Sunday of attacking them in order to appease his US allies, and warned him his days in office might be numbered.

* Arab League team due for 1st-ever visit The foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan are expected to lead an Arab League mission to Israel this week for talks on the Arab peace initiative adopted in 2002 and readopted at an Arab League summit in Riyadh in March, a Foreign Ministry source said.

* Al-Qaeda threatens war against Iran The leader of an al-Qaeda umbrella group in Iraq, who was thought to have beeen killed by US forces, has threatened to wage war against Iran unless it stops supporting Shias in Iraq within two months.

* Iraqi official: Lawmakers cutting short summer recess Iraq is on target to meet by September key political benchmarks set by the U.S. Congress, Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie said Sunday.

* Israel pumping Syrian water to Kinneret - experts Water experts say Israel pumping water from Golan Heights springs whose natural stream leads to Syria.