Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt has concluded a major military exercise meant to defend against Israel. The U.S.-equipped Egyptian military held a multi-service exercise earlier this month to defend the Sinai Peninsula and Suez Canal. The live-fire exercise, called Nasser-6, consisted of three stages and was meant to test interoperability, particularly between the Army […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Bedouin tribes have launched a major strike on the military in western Egypt. Bedouin sources said hundreds of tribal fighters attacked military and security forces near the western Egyptian city of Mersa Matruh on Jan. 13. They said the attack was to re-gain land confiscated by the former regime of […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — The Muslim Brotherhood, fresh from its victory in parliamentary elections, has been quietly reaching out to the military for a transfer of power. Egyptian opposition sources said the Brotherhood has been engaged in a high-level dialogue with the military regime to ensure a transfer of power sometime in 2012. They […]
John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Though it’s the birthplace of Christianity in ancient times, the modern Middle East is increasingly hostile to Christianity as civil conflict, Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism grow in scope and strength. Although most regional states have a small but successful Christian minority ranging from Egypt to Iraq, only Lebanon, Israel […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Fariborz Saremi, FreePressers.com Iraq is facing a very uncertain future now that the Americans, worn down by the military (4,500 dead) and financial costs (over $1 trillion) have withdrawn their military forces. The tide of sectarian conflict is rising, driven in part by Iranian ambition and Saudi Arabian fears. The Shi’ite […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Arab League states have been ignoring the Palestine Liberation Organization for the Islamist opposition. Arab diplomats said Hamas has threatened to overshadow the PLO in numerous Middle East capitals. They said Hamas delegations were given the red-carpet treatment in such countries as Egypt, Qatar, Tunisia and Turkey. “Hamas is being […]
Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — Israel plans to erect another security fence — this time along the border with Jordan. Officials said the Defense Ministry has launched plans to establish a barrier along a 100-kilometer stretch of the Israeli-Jordanian border. They said the security barrier, estimated at about $170 million, would be required to […]
Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — Egypt has rejected a Jordanian offer to help protect an embattled natural gas pipeline in the Sinai Peninsula. A senior Jordanian official said Cairo dismissed a Hashemite kingdom offer to help protect the Arab Gas Pipeline, meant to provide more than 60 percent of Jordan’s gas requirements. Jordanian government spokesman […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — The powerful Salafist movement, a partner of the Muslim Brotherhood, has formed a militia in Egypt. The Salafists have established a so-called religious police based on the model in Saudi Arabia. They said the force, called the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Authority, consists of hundreds of volunteers […]
Special to WorldTribune.com JERUSALEM — The Islamist movement could end Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel, a report said. The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs asserted that the Muslim Brotherhood along with the Salafists intend to bring Egypt to a confrontation with Israel. In a report by reserve Israeli intelligence officer Lt. Col. Jonathan Halevi, the […]