Saturday, March 05, 2011

03/05/11

* Obama: Israel shouldn't be afraid of changes in Mideast US President Barack Obama told Jewish donors in Miami on Friday that Israel and the United States should not be afraid of changes taking place in the Middle East.

* Libya: Rebels defy attacks, eye Gaddafi's hometown Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi waged a second offensive against the western town of Zawiyah on Saturday.

* Abbas calls for full Palestinian membership in the UN The time has come for Palestine to become a permanent member of the United Nations, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said.

* Saudi Arabia imposes ban on all protests All protests and marches are to be banned in Saudi Arabia, the interior ministry has announced on state TV.

* U.S. for first time cites Iran role as leading factor in Mideast unrest The administration of President Barack Obama has determined that Iran was fomenting unrest in such countries as Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

* Hamas 'Liberates' Money at Gunpoint Hamas forces stormed into banks in Gaza twice this week and demanded money at gunpoint.

* Soldiers Act Out Shooting Judea, Samaria Jews IDF reservists attended a training exercise that involved a scenario in which soldiers shot and killed a Jewish resident of Judea and Samaria.

* Ayalon: Mideast turmoil threatens PA Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon on Saturday called on the Palestinian leadership to compromise and launch negotiations for an interim peace agreement with Israel.

* Egypt-Israel economic ties have been restored Israelis worry that the fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak could erode the countries' landmark 1979 peace accord and other subsequent agreements.

* Egyptians torch HQ of reviled state security forces A state security building on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital was set alight on Saturday.