Al-Arabiya: Michael Jackson To Be Buried As A Muslim

Alarabiya.net is reporting, citing sources stating that they are close to the family of Michael Jackson, that the funeral, to be held July 7, will be according to Islamic shari'a, because Jackson died a Muslim.

Source: Alarabiya.net, July 2, 2009

Cartoon In Jordanian Paper: U.S. Forces Move From Iraq To Afghanistan

Cartoonist: Naser Al-Ja'fari

Source: Al-Arab Al-Yawm, Jordan, July 3, 2009

Cartoon In UAE Paper On Palestinian Dialogue

Cartoonist: Hassan Idleby

Source: Al-Bayan, UAE, July 3, 2009

Lebanese Daily: Assad Demands That Saudi Arabia Return Ambassador To Damascus

The Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported that during a meeting with emissaries from the Saudi king, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad set the return of the Saudi ambassador to Damascus and improvement in relations between the two countries as a condition for Saudi-Syrian cooperation.

According to the paper, Assad stated that it was inconceivable that the U.S. would return its ambassador to Damascus but that Saudi Arabia would not.

The Syrian daily Al-Watan reported, citing official Syrian sources, that Saudi Arabia would in the near future appoint an ambassador to Damascus, but no official announcement has been made.

Sources: Al-Akhbar, Lebanon, July 3, 2009; Al-Watan, Syria, July 2, 2009

Qaddoumi Threatens To Convene Conference Paralleling Fatah's

PLO political bureau chief Farouq Al-Qaddoumi has threatened that if Fatah's Sixth General Conference convenes in Bethlehem, instead of outside the Palestinian Authority, he will convene a parallel conference abroad at the same time under the same name.

Source: Al-Quds, Jerusalem, July 3, 2009

Syria Reshuffles Top Security Posts

Syrian military intelligence chief Assef Shawkat, who is the brother-in-law of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, has completed his term of office and has received a promotion in rank.

He will be replaced by Gen. Abd Al-Fatah Qudsiya, who until now has headed aerial intelligence.

The move came in a round of changes in key roles in Syrian intelligence.

Source: Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, July 3, 2009

Oil Auction Fiasco in Iraq

After months of preparation, and amidst public relations fanfare, Iraq offered six oil fields and two gas fields at a televised public auction to 31 pre-qualified oil companies.

Braving a severe sandstorm and personal risks, senior oil executives arrived in Baghdad to participate in what was meant to be the auction of the century for oil service agreements.

At the end, a consortium of British Petroleum and China National Petroleum Company was the sole winner of the giant Rumaila field in southern Iraq, with reserves estimated at 17 billion barrels.

The conditions set by the Iraqi Oil Ministry were so harsh, and characterized by oil executives as totally unrealistic, that by the end of the day, Wednesday July 1, the oil executives went home empty-handed.

Iraq’s declared objectives of producing six million barrels a day by 2017 will be put on hold for now. Oil Minister Hussein Al-Shahristani said that there will be another auction with revised conditions at the end of the year.

Sources: Al-Rafidayn, Al-Zaman, Iraq, July 2, 2009

Iraqi Parliament Accuses Iran of Preventing Iraq from Exploiting Joint Oil Fields

Security sources have confirmed that four armed skirmishes have taken place between Iraqi and Iranian border guards, following the attempted inspection of the joint oil fields by employees of the Iraqi Oil Ministry.

The chairman of the oil and gas committee in the Iraqi parliament, Ali Hussein Balu, stated that the Iranian violations were repeated for six years over oil fields that traverse the joint borders between the two countries.

When questioned in parliament last week, Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein Al-Shahristani attributed the Iranian violations to the absence of border markers.

Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, July 3, 2009

Syrian Information Minister: Egypt-Syria Relations Deep

In an interview with the Egyptian government daily Al-Ahram, Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal said that relations between Egypt and Syria were deep and that Egyptian-Syrian unity and Arab unity were the only way to deal with the Israeli threats.

Source: Al-Ahram, Egypt, July 2, 2009

Cartoon In Saudi Paper: U.S. Begins Pullout From Iraq

Cartoonist: Fahed Al-Khamaisi

Source: Al-Iqtassadiya, Saudi Arabia, July 1, 2009

Report: Al-Qaeda Attack on U.S. Embassy in Algiers Foiled

An Algerian newspaper reports that security forces have foiled a planned attack by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) on the U.S. Embassy in Algiers. The British and Danish Embassies were also reportedly targets...

To View The Full Report, CLICK HERE.

Cartoon In Bahraini Paper: U.S. Forces Transfer Iraqi Security To Iraqis

Source: Akhbar Al-Khaleej, Bahrain, July 2, 2009

Syrian President Sets Minimum Prison Sentence For Family Honor Murders

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has issued an order setting a minimum prison sentence of two years for murder for violations of family honor.

He abolished Section 548 of the penal code, which exempts anyone committing such a murder from punishment.

Source: Al-Thawra, Syria, July 2, 2009

Saudi Arabia To Erect Largest Border Fence In Region

Saudi Arabia has announced that it will erect a security fence along its borders, which will be the largest of its kind in the region.

The fence will be backed up by a sea and air border monitoring and control system.

The project is to be executed by the French company EADS, and will take five years to cmoplete.

Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, July 2, 2009

Uzbek "Islamic Jihad Union" Releases Russian-Language Jihadi Anthems

On July 1, 2009, the Ansar Al-Mujahideen jihadist forum posted a collection of 15 Russian-language jihad songs. The anthems were produced by the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU), an Al-Qaeda-linked Uzbek jihadist group based in Waziristan that has recently carried out attacks in Afghanistan and in Uzbekistan's Ferghana Valley...

To View The Full Report, CLICK HERE.

Large Number of Teenage Girls In Syrian Prisons

It is estimated that due to emigration and forced expulsion between 1975 and 2007, seven million Iraqis are living outside their country.

Not unlike the Palestinian refugees, the problem of Iraqi refugees is increasingly becoming a chronic problem, with no solution in sight. There are as many as two million Iraqis in Syria.

Dr. Abdul Samad Abdul-Rahman, Iraq's minister for immigrants and deportees, drew attention to "a horrible humanitarian situation" as reflected in the incarceration of a large number of teenage girls in Syrian prisons and detention camps.

[The minister did not offer explanation about the exact number or the reasons for the girls' incarceration.]

Source: Al-Mada, Iraq, July 2, 2009

Claim: ISI Material Sent to 260,000 Mailboxes

In a post from July 2 on the Ansar Al-Mujahideen jihadist forum, the "Jihadi Internet Raid Brigades" claimed that they sent 260,000 emails in the course of 48 hours containing an audio interview with the Islamic State of Iraq's War Minister, Abu Hamza Al-Mujahir...

To View The Full Report, CLICK HERE.

Al-Sadr Calls On Supporters To Cease Attacks In The Cities

Radical Shi'ite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr has called on his supporters to cease "resistance operations" in the cities and villages from which U.S. forces have withdrawn.

Two years earlier, Al-Sadr called on his militia [Jaysh Al-Mahdi, or Mahdi Army] to terminate their operations against the U.S. army, and went to Iran to pursue higher religious training.

[Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has been courting the Sadrists as potential partners in the general elections.]

Source: Al-Zaman, Iraq, July 2, 2009

Talabani's Son: U.S. Administration Not Interested In Iraq's Destiny – Withdrawal Is Premature

Qubad Talabani, who is the son of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and who represents the Kurdish Regional Government in Washington, has said that some members of the U.S. administration have absolutely no interest in the destiny of Iraq.

He said that there is internal disagreement between those who do not wish to meddle in Iraqi affairs and those who believe that Iraq's security and prosperity is in the vital interest of the U.S.

Qubad Talabani called the U.S. withdrawal premature and said that the U.S. forces may have to reenter to maintain the security of the cities.

[It is well known that the Kurds, concerned about their own safety, have persistently called for the U.S. forces to stay in Iraq, even offering them military bases in areas under the control of the Kurdish Regional Government.]

Source: Al-Zaman, Iraq, July 2, 2009

Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen Claims Advance on Presidential Palace in Mogadishu

In a communiqué dated July 1, 2009, Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen claimed to have captured new positions in the vicinity of the presidential palace in Mogadishu: "… A fierce battle took place in the neighborhoods of Yaqshid and Karan, near the Presidential palace, on Wednesday, 8 Rajab 1430 / July 1, 2009, and victory fell to the mujahideen...

To View The Full Report, CLICK HERE.

Security Plan To Frustrate Coup Attempts Following U.S. Withdrawal From Iraqi Cities

Despite security plans in place to frustrate coup attempts in Iraq, Kamal Al-Sa'idi, an Iraqi MP from the Al-Da'wa Party (Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's party) did not rule out the possibility that some forces would attempt a coup.

Al-Sa'idi listed among the forces that might contemplate a coup the Ba'th Party, armed groups, officers in Saddam's army, and former security agencies, in addition to political figures who publicly espouse democracy but maintain disguised relationships with these forces.

Al-Sa'idi added that there was a desire among "regional forces" to change the Iraqi political system. If the coup attempts fail, these regional forces would seek to influence the outcome of the elections scheduled for January 2010 to pursue their agenda.

While these forces are prepared to spend billions of dollars to affect regime change, Al-Sa'idi speculated that they would not succeed without an American agreement.

Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, July 2, 2009

Afghan Website: Taliban Seize U.S. Soldier In Paktika Province

Taliban militants in Afghanistan have captured an American soldier and three Afghan security men in the country’s southern Paktika province, according to an Afghan news website.

Maulvi Sangin, who claims to speak for the Taliban in the province, said that the U.S. soldier was kidnapped on Wednesday, according to a report in the Afghan website pajhwok.com.

He added that the Taliban fighters seized the soldiers when they were on way to the Yousafkhel security checkpost and took them to a secret location, according to the report.

Sangin claimed that the abducted soldiers were drunk when they were captured by the Taliban.

Source: www.pajhwok.com, Afghanistan, July 2, 2009

"Wind of Paradise IV" Video Shows Footage of Al-Qaeda Fighters in Waziristan

On June 28, 2009, jihadist websites posted the fourth film in Al-Qaeda's "Wind of Paradise" series. The film, which runs slightly over an hour and was produced by Al-Qaeda's media wing Al-Sahab, eulogizes 13 Al-Qaeda "martyrs" who died in combat in recent years in Afghanistan and Pakistan. An address on martyrdom by Abu Yahya Al-Libi is shown in between the segments on the lives and deaths of the martyrs...

To View The Full Report, CLICK HERE.

Carton In Qatari Daily: Iraqi Security – Scarecrow That Can't Scare Terrorist Crows

Cartoonist: Eley Saleba

Source: Al-Watan, Qatar, June 29, 2009

Report: Kuwaiti-Syrian-Kazakh Terror Cell Arrested in Lebanon

According to a report from Lebanon, last month the country's intelligence services arrested an Al-Qaeda-linked terror cell consisting of a Kuwaiti, a Syrian, and a Kazakh...

To View The Full Report, CLICK HERE.

Iranian Website: Shi'ites In Saudi Arabia To Shout 'Allah Akbar' From Rooftops

The Iranian website Shia Online reported that a group of Shi'ites in Saudi Arabia today called to their coreligionists in the country to take to the rooftops starting tomorrow to shout "Allah Akbar" for half an hour, to protest against the arrest of many Shi'ites in Saudi Arabia, and to keep it up until the prisoners are released.

According to the group's manifesto, which was posted online, "calling Allah Akbar shakes the thrones of the tyrants."

Calling "Allah Akbar´ from the rooftops is a tactic widely used by those protesting over the Iran election.

Source: Shia Online, Iran, July 1, 2009

Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen Appoints New Governor for Bay-Bakool District

The Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen movement in Somalia has announced the appointment of Mahdi Omar Abd Al-Karim as the new governor for the Bay-Bakool district...

To View The Full Report, CLICK HERE.

Cartoon In UAE Paper: Sarkozy And The War Against The Niqab

Cartoonist: Ali Khalil

Source: Al-Khaleej, UAE, June 29, 2009

Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen Stones Rapist-Murderer to Death in Public

In the latest in a series of law-and-order communiqués from Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen in Somalia,[1] the movement announced on June 30, 3009 that it had conducted a public stoning of a man convicted of rape and murder...

To View The Full Report, CLICK HERE.

Elaph: Saudi-Syrian-Lebanese Summit Set For July 16

The liberal website Elaph reports on a meeting to be held July 16 in Damascus between Saudi King Abdallah, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

Elaph said that the meeting was made possible by Saudi mediation efforts, supported by a French delegation headed by presidency director-general Claude Guéant, who visited Damascus this week.

Elaph reported that Lebanon's prime-minister designate Sa'd al-Hariri and Al-Assad will meet separately, and only after the Lebanese government is formed, which will require the opposition March 8 Forces to make concessions on weapons and the resistance and their right of veto in the government.

The London daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi noted that the agreements between France and Syria on Lebanon are greater than the understandings between Saudi Arabia and Syria, and attributed this to the determined Saudi attitude on Hizbullah.

Sources: Elaph.com and Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, July 1, 2009

Saudi Arabia Asks Pregnant Women, Elderly to Postpone Pilgrimage

Saudi Health Minister Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Rabi'a has advised pregnant women, the elderly, and those with asthma and allergies to postpone this year's Hajj pilgrimage because of their susceptibility to swine flu.

The minister also recommended that they be vaccinated against the disease.

So far, Saudi Arabia has registered 81 cases of swine flu, including six new cases in Riyadh yesterday.

Sources: Al-Bayan, UAE; Al-Thawra, Syria, July 1, 2009

Baghdad to Rename Major Thoroughfares

The City of Baghdad is planning to rename some of its thoroughfares after key nationalist figures who played heroic roles in the history of the nation.

Source: Al-Bayan, UAE, July 1, 2009

Iraq Offers First Oil Contract to British-Chinese Consortium

Iraq has accepted a bid from a British-Chinese consortium to develop the giant Rumaila oil field in southern Iraq, with proven reserves of 17 billion barrels of crude.

The consortium has offered to increase the current production from 950,000 barrels (b/d) a day to 2.85 million b/d, and will receive $2 for each additional barrel produced.

Iraq has offered six oil fields and two gas fields for bidding, but has failed to attract suitable bids.

The government is due to consider whether the conditions it has offered to potential bidders are attractive enough.

Iraq seeks to increase production to 6 million b/d by 2017 from the current level of 2.4 million b/d.

Sources: Al-Sabah, Al-Zaman, Iraq, July 1, 2009

Iraq Takes Full Control of Cities

Iraq has taken a full control of the cities following the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces.

The security for the cities will be the responsibility of 500,000 policemen and 250,000 soldiers.

On this occasion, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki declared: "A grave mistake will be committed by anyone who thinks that the Iraqis are incapable of protecting the security of their country…"

He said the government was looking forward to the biggest achievement in 2011, when all foreign forces will withdraw from Iraq.

Source: Al-Mada, Iraq, July 1, 2009

Cartoon In Qatari Paper: Israel's Peace Owl

Cartoonist: Omaya Joha

Source: Al-Raya, Qatar, June 29, 2009

Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen Polices Mogadishu Market, Confiscates Spoiled Foodstuffs

According to a communiqué issued on June 29, 2009, Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen inspected warehouses in the Bakara market in Mogadishu and closed down those selling spoiled foodstuffs...

To View The Full Report, CLICK HERE.

Cartoon In 'Al-Hayat': The Somalia Situation

Cartoonist: Habib Haddad

Source: Al-Hayat, London, June 29, 2009

Al-Qaeda Maghreb Threatens France over Proposed Burqa Ban

In a communiqué dated June 28, 2009, which was posted on jihadist websites on June 30, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) threatened to attack France and its interests in revenge for what it termed France's "renewed open war on our niqab-wearing sisters."

To View The Full Report, CLICK HERE.

Gulf Naval Force To Fight Piracy

During a meeting yesterday in Riyadh, leaders of the Gulf and Red Sea states decided to form a joint naval force to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia.

The naval force is to be formed by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Yemen, and Djibouti.

Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, June 30, 2009

Iraqi Ambassador to Damascus Praises Security Collaboration

Iraqi Ambassador to Damascus 'Alaa Al-Jawadi stated yesterday that the security collaboration between Syria and Iraq is at the highest level.

In a press conference at the Iraqi Embassy in Damascus, he said: "We and Syria are in agreement and will spare no effort to restore Iraq to its leadership role in the region."

With regard to cooperation in the oil sector, he said the agreement exists but that there were technical difficulties that had caused the delay in rehabilitating the pipeline which would carry Iraqi oil from Kirkuk to the Syrian port of Latkia.

[MEMRI reported recently that the rehabilitation of the pipeline was delayed because Iraq was concerned about the flow of jihadists across the Syrian border into Iraq.]

Source: Al-Rafidayn, Iraq, June 30, 2009

 New Messages from Al-Qaeda Leaders Osama Bin Laden & Al-Zawahiri Bin Laden: Obama And Administration Have 'Sown New Seeds That Will Increase Hatred And Vengeance Towards America'; 'American People... [Will] Reap What White House Leaders Are Sowing'; Ayman Al-Zawahiri: Obama, 'Global Criminal' and 'Chief of Oppressors,' Is Not Welcome in Egypt Special Dispatch Series - No. 2382- June 3, 2009

The State of Anarchy Within the Salafi-Jihadi Movement in Gaza: An Inside View  Special Dispatch Series - No. 2381- June 2, 2009

Taliban Editorial: Obama's 'Contradictory Decisions' Reflect Americans' 'Weakness' and the 'Wavering of Their Failed Policies' -Special Dispatch Series - No. 2380 - June 2, 2009

On Eve of Lebanon's Parliamentary Elections, Struggle between March 14 Forces, Hizbullah-Headed Opposition Heats Up-Inquiry & Analysis Series-No. 520- June 2, 2009 

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