Monday, April 13, 2009

04/13/09

* Iran aspires to control Mideast President Shimon Peres said, "Sooner or later the world will realize that Iran has aspirations to control the Middle East."

* Egypt hunts Hezbollah suspects Egyptian security forces are scouring the Sinai Peninsula for 13 alleged Hezbollah operatives, officials say.

* Vague Russia pledge on no S-300 to Iran Israel has lobbied Russia to pull away from selling a strategic air-defense system to Iran but has received only vague assurances, Israeli defense sources said.

* US Military Considers Attacks on Somali Pirates’ Land Bases The US military is considering attacks on pirate bases on land and aid for the Somali people to help stem ship hijackings off Africa’s east coast.

* Abbas Opens Door for Netanyahu after Snubbing New Government PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas phoned Binyamin Netanyahu in the first conversation between the two leaders.

* Netanyahu and Obama Prepare for First Round The new US administration and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are preparing for a possible confrontation on the future of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as well as several other issues.

* Arrests in Turkey coup plot probe Turkish police have detained at least 12 people, including a university head, in connection with an alleged plot to overthrow the government.

* Papal Easter Message urges peace The Pope has called for renewed efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in his traditional Easter message to the city of Rome and to the world.

* Islamic Movement split over pope visit The northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel has announced that it is "boycotting" Pope Benedict XVI's visit next month, while an official from the more moderate southern branch said it intend to participate in the event.