Morocco, Jordan urge Palestinian reconciliation

EMPA condemns Israel for attacks on civilians in Gaza

Solana urges future Israeli govt. to stick to two-state solution

U.S. army document describes Israel as 'nuclear power'

Difficulties facing Netanyahu in forming government

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received a telephone call from the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

During the conversation, they reviewed the overall important incidents taking place at the international arena, particularly the situations in the Middle East.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received a message from Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The message was delivered by Qatari Emir's Special Envoy and Minister of State Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani during an audience held by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

Sheikh Mohammed conveyed the greetings of Qatari Emir to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. In turn, the King sent his greetings to the Emir.

The audience was attended by Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Adviser to the King; Prince Mansour bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, Adviser to the King; Prince Dr. Bandar bin Salman bin Mohammed Al Saud, Adviser to the King; Dr. Saud bin Saeed Al-Mothami, Minister of State and Member of Cabinet for Shoura Council Affairs; Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijri, Adviser to the King; and Ali bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Qatari Ambassador to the Kingdom.

The Secretary General of Arab League Amr Moussa has described the Arab Mini-Summit in Riyadh comprising of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Egyptian President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as an important step on the road to addressing Arab divisions and reforming the Arab position.

In a statement, he expressed his satisfaction over this march, which came at fully an opportune moment , pointing out that these efforts will continue not only for holding a successful summit, , but for reforming the Arab position itself, achieving supreme Arab interests, and confronting serious challenges at regional and international arenas.

Kings Mohammed VI of Morocco and Abdullah II of Jordan urged rival Palestinian factions to work together and expressed their opposition to the extension of Israeli settlements.

In a joint statement during a working visit to Morocco by Jordan's monarch, both men also expressed their "unbreakable and permanent will to defend the holy city (Jerusalem) and protect it against Israeli bids to Judaize it and change its Arab-Muslim status."

With Palestinian factions pitted against one another, the kings pressed for "the re-establishment of Palestinian unity, by both talks and action" to bring about a "united Palestinian government ahead of legislative and presidential elections."

The monarchs "totally reject the construction and expansion of Israeli colonies" and demanded "the lifting of all forms of blockade" imposed against the Palestinian people.

At the heart of conflict, Jerusalem had "through all time" been a "place for coexistence and tolerance among the three monotheistic religions" and it was a vital "necessity to preserve" this status, the statement said.

King Abdullah II arrived in Fez in central Morocco to discuss both bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, King Abdullah of Jordan said the world faces a host of political, economic and cultural crises that require appropriate and effective action to overcome them.

The King was addressing a state dinner hosted in his honor and that of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah and the accompanying delegation by Portuguese President, Anibal Cavaco Silva, and his wife at the presidential palace in Lisbon.

"Jordan and Portugal are partners in facing crises and challenges," he said.

King Abdullah said he was satisfied with growing ties, particularly an increase in the volume of trade through effective involvement by the Jordanian and Portuguese private sectors.

He noted that both countries had common values and interests as moderate states looking for cooperation with their neighbors.

King Abdullah expressed appreciation for Portugal's continued support of Jordan and reviewed prospects for future partnerships between the two countries.

He also voiced hope that his visit would help prompt new mechanisms for official cooperation and partnerships between the private sector of both countries, saying that new partnerships would help forge deeper ties between Europe and the Middle East.

King Abdullah also addressed the situation in the Middle East, reiterating that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict still posed a serious threat to global security.

He said the suffering of the Palestinian people remains tremendous, particularly in the Gaza Strip, and said it was vital that the world community continue to channel humanitarian aid to them.

The King said concerted efforts were needed to bring about a just and lasting settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying that the two-state solution is the only realistic solution that enables Palestinians a secure future and real peace and security for Israelis through acceptance by their neighbors and the world.

King Abdullah also voiced his pride in the Amman Message, which highlighted Islam's call for tolerance, understanding and dialogue among peoples.

Jordan, the king said, is determined to continue to create opportunity for the region's youth, saying that the kingdom would continue with reform in various sectors, with emphasis on creativity and excellence.

Addressing the King at the dinner, President Silva welcomed Their Majesties on their first visit to Portugal, and recalled his visit to Jordan last year, saying the two exchanges were central to developing ties between the two countries.

He said joint ventures between Portuguese and Jordanian businessmen could help to bolster economic and investment ties.

He also noted that Portugal's strong and historic ties with countries of the Southern Mediterranean would bring it closer to the Arab world and help advance common interests between Jordan and Portugal, noting that the two countries are working closely to strengthen the Euro-Med partnership.

He said Portugal and Jordan were in agreement as to the urgent need for a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, not only to achieve peace in the region, but to guarantee global peace and security.

President Silva hailed Jordan's efforts to kick-start the Middle East peace process.

Queen Rania and the former President of the Republic of Portugal, Jorge Sampaio, received the 2008 North-South Prize from the Council of Europe during a ceremony in Portuguese Parliament in Lisbon.

The award was presented by the Portuguese head of state Anibal Cavaco Silva, in the presence of King Abdullah of Jordan. Since 1995, the North-South Centre has awarded the prize - a statuette made of Portuguese marble with a base made from African wood - to two public figures, one from the north and the other from the south.

The Centre, located in Lisbon, is a branch of the Council of Europe and aims to defend human rights, democracy and reciprocal awareness and solidarity between the northern and southern parts of the world. 20 countries, including Italy belong to the centre. Emma Bonino has received the award in the past.

In an interview with daily ''Diario de Noticias'', Queen Rania expressed a wish that dialogue and negotiations to resolve the problems in the Middle East should resume.

Queen Rania said that ''the situation for women has registered progress in many Arab countries, but there is still a long way to go. The greatest challenge for Arab women is to change the mentality of men, and I can say that this is changing.''

Meanwhile, The first round of intensive reconciliation talks between the Palestinian Hamas and Fatah factions ended in Cairo, as negotiators agreed to refer outstanding issues to a higher committee, participants said.

Yasser al-Wadia, an independent academic taking part in the talks, said that “a number of outstanding cases had been settled,” and that the independent participants had returned to Gaza from Cairo.

“We are closer than ever to reach a reconciliation ending this black era of the Palestinian history,” he said, referring to the political split between the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and Fatah- dominated West Bank that occurred in 2007.

A previous Palestinian unity government collapsed in June 2007 when Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip.

The Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas retained control of the West Bank, and remained the only negotiating partner accepted by Israel and the West.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said that remaining controversial issues had been referred to a higher committee for further discussion.

“Only the higher coordination committee, which is made up of the leaders of the factions’ delegations and Egyptian mediators, remained in Cairo to discuss the remaining files,” Barhoum said.

The Cairo dialogue aimed at creating a united government, reforming the internal security services, reforming the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and holding parliamentary and presidential elections to boost the reconciliation.

The talks had formed separate committees to settle each issue.

Remaining issues yet to be settled are believed to include the recognition by Hamas of previous agreements made by the PLO, which could be seen as recognition of Israel.

However the factions agreed to hold elections by January 2010 and also agreed that Abbas forms a central elections committee according to the law.

However, Barhoum said the formation of that committee “must be done according to consultations and co-ordination with the political powers, national faces and the awaited national government.”

Abbas’ term as a president ended at the beginning of this year while the term of the Hamas-dominated parliament ends in January next year.

In Cairo, the factions agreed that the elections to appoint a president and a new parliament be held at the same time. In addition, they also agreed to hold elections for the Palestinian National Council (PNC), the legislative body of the PLO.

Meanwhile, Egyptian intelligence head Omar Suleiman was in Washington to discuss Palestinian reconciliation with US officials, Egyptian foreign ministry sources said.

“Egypt is making efforts with foreign parties, notably the US administration, to obtain agreement to a compromise formula that would be acceptable for Hamas and the international community,” said Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine delegate Kayed al-Ghoul.

The Middle East Quartet - consisting of the US and EU as well as the UN and Russia - has conditioned dealing with Hamas on its recognition of Israel and commitment to past Palestinian-Israeli agreements.

Hamas, and some smaller Palestinian factions, say the Quartet’s conditions are unacceptable.

Hamas has said it will not agree to abide by previous commitments either by Fatah-led governments or the Palestine Liberation Organization, which signed the Oslo accords with Israel in 1993 that led to increased autonomy and the creation of the Palestinian Authority.

However, some Palestinian delegates have said Hamas is prepared to “respect” the obligations but not be “bound” by them. But it was unlikely that Washington, or other Quartet members, would accept such a rewording.

The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA), meeting in a plenary session in Brussels voted on a recommendation to clearly condemn Israel for attacks on civilians in Gaza. Only Israel, a member of the EMPA, voted against the recommendation.

The document ''strongly condemns'' Israel for attacking civilian targets in Gaza in violation of international rights and ''equally'' condemns the firing of rockets by the Palestinians. Knesset deputy Majalli Whbee, pointed out that for years ''800,000 Israelis were being fired on''.

The Palestinian representative Taysir Qubaa spoke about ''blatant injustice'', comparing the situation to the executioner and the victim. The text also states that ''possible international violations and the use of illegal weapons in civilian areas should be the object of an independent investigation''.

For his part, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said the Israeli government has taken a step backward when it linked a truce deal to a prisoner swap agreement.

Speaking before the European Parliament's foreign relations committee, Abul-Gheit said Israel insists on banishing a number of Palestinian prisoners. "And this is rejected by the Palestinians," he added.

In case of reaching a truce deal in return for swapping prisoners, it is possible to reach an agreement to open the crossings, he added.

Meantime, Abul-Gheit said that because of the recent Gaza war the activities of the Union for the Mediterranean were brought to a halt.

He reviewed Egypt's efforts to settle the crisis created by the massive three-week Israeli assault in Gaza, urging the European Parliament to intensify its efforts to stop the Israeli settlement activities that are obstructing the Middle East peacemaking efforts.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the root cause of the conflict between the Arab Muslim world and the West and is the main source of the feelings of anger which are gripping the Arab world, he said.

"I am inviting you to work with us to seek a solution for the Palestinian problem so as to end this feeling of anger and injustice," he said.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana urged future Israeli government to be committed to peace and stick to a "two-state" solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

"We want to see a new Israeli government committed to peace and a two-state solution. We must continue (Israeli-Palestinian) negotiations which started in 2008," Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, told the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly held in the European Parliament in Brussels.

The remarks came amid reports that the Jewish state is possibly to have Avigdor Lieberman, a far-rightist, as new foreign minister.

Solana had warned that the EU's policy toward an anti-peace Israeli government would be "very different," indicating a possible tough EU line.

After the Israeli general elections on Feb. 10, which produced no outright winners, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose right-wing Likud party won one seat less than the pro-peace center-left Kadima party, was designated by President Shimon Peres to form a coalition before April 3.

Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Foreign Minister Riad Malki warned that the Palestinians will not talk to any anti-peace new Israeli government as Israeli settlement activities and other efforts aimed at changing "realities on the ground" are undermining Israeli-Palestinian peace prospects.

"We show our concern about the Israeli efforts to change realities on the ground in east Jerusalem, through the construction of settlement ... We have asked the EU troika to work to put pressure on Israel to stop such practices to change realities on the ground," said Malki at a press conference following talks with top EU officials on the situation in the Gaza Strip.

He expressed deep concern over the prospects of a future right-wing Israeli government led by Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who is entering talks with far-right Israeli parties to form a possible coalition.

"These far-right Israeli parties all share the same principles: first of all, they are totally against the establishment of an independent Palestinian state; they don't envisage a two-state solution; they want to continue settlement activities; they don't see a need to negotiate with the Palestinians as a way to achieve peace; and they do believe in the use of force as a means to achieve political gains," said the minister.

He said such a government should be described as "an anti-peace government" and the PNA will not enter into negotiations with such a government if it really refuses to stop settlement activities, refuses to accept the right of the Palestinians to establish an independent state and continues activities of incursions and attacks against Palestinians.

He said the possible formation of a right-wing Israeli coalition government should be a big concern not only for the Palestinians, but also for the international community which believes in peace and has been working extensively toward achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

He called on the international community to take measures to "make sure that the new Israeli government should be a government committed itself to peace with the Palestinians and a government committed itself to the international conditions and that wants to end occupation and believe in a two-state solution."

EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana urged the Israeli new government to be committed to a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

"The way in which the EU is related to a government (of Israel)that is not committed to a two-state solution will be very, very different. They know it, and we have to keep on saying that," said Solana.

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, also expressed his hope that the new Israeli government will work for peace and for a two-state solution.

The talks, which also drew Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and Jordanian Ambassador to the EU Ahmad Masa'deh, focused on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the reconciliation process among the Palestinian factions, and the Arab summit in Doha, Qatar in late March.

Malki said the Palestinians "are determined to make progress" by maintaining goodwill and tremendous efforts in order to achieve national reconciliation and unity.

"We hope the efforts will bring about tangible results" before the Arab Summit in Doha, he noted.

Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado called on the European Union to reassess ties with Israel if the Jewish state failed to make a commitment to the Middle East peace process and stop settlement expansion.

In a letter to his EU counterparts, Amado said the time to deliver a strong message to Israel was now, or the efforts of the moderate Arab camp, which has shown a "responsible and constructive" approach, may be lost.

"There are signs before us proving that unity around a moderate agenda may prevail," Amado wrote, saying that this positive development emerged despite the January offensive by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

"We cannot afford to miss this chance as we may not have a second opportunity soon," he wrote.

He praised the Palestinian authority for its willingness to act on commitments made at the Annapolis Conference last year.

"We would like to say the same about Israel," he wrote, saying that there was no relevant progress on Israel's behalf on issues like settlements or movement and access for Palestinians.

"On settlements, for example, we have seen precisely the opposite. This situation cannot last longer, as we risk losing the moderate Arab camp," Amado wrote.

Sixteen prominent jurists have called on the United Nations to launch an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israeli troops and Palestinian armed groups during the recent Gaza war, in a statement released.

In an open letter to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and the members of the Security Council, the petitioners say they have been "shocked to the core" by events in Gaza and ask world leaders to send an "unfaltering signal that the targeting of civilians during conflict is unacceptable by any party on any count."

The letter is supported by Amnesty International and signed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and investigators who worked in Kosovo, Darfur, Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia and other places.

It calls for a U.N. commission of inquiry with an impartial mandate that can recommend potential avenues for prosecution, should violations be found.

William Schabas, professor of human rights law at the National University of Ireland and a signatory to the letter, said the U.N. Security Council could establish a commission of inquiry, as it did for the conflicts in Lebanon, Rwanda and Yugoslavia.

"The international community must apply the same standard to Gaza as it does to other conflicts and investigate all abuses of the laws of war and human rights," he said.

The U.N. General Assembly could also set up a commission, he said.

"In terms of preventing violations of international law, as long as you have the threat, you're half way there," Schabas said.

In Tel Aviv, Benjamin Netanyahu failed to persuade his centrist rival, Tzipi Livni, to join him in a broad coalition, increasing the likelihood that Israel's next government will be an alliance of hawks and hard-line religious parties opposed to substantial concessions for peace.

However, Livni did not shut the door on any possibility of an agreement, and Netanyahu still has five weeks to cobble together a government.

Livni, who heads the centrist Kadima Party and served as chief negotiator with the Palestinians, supports the formation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Netanyahu does not, and the two have been unable to bridge the gap.

"This meeting has ended without agreements on issues that I see as substantial," Livni said after her discussion with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.

"There could be a government that advances these issues. At the moment, based on the discussion I held in the adjacent room, that government won't be Netanyahu's."

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat slammed statements made by outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that blamed the Palestinians for the failure of peace negotiations.

During the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting, Olmert has blamed the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) for the failure to achieve a permanent peace agreement during his time in office.

Erekat said in a statement that "Olmert only seems interested in playing the blame game. It is unfortunate that Olmert thinks it appropriate to make such statements at this time. They are both regrettable and unconstructive."

Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations were suspended as the government of Olmert continued building housing units into the settlements in the West Bank and around east Jerusalem.

"We are consistent in our position on negotiations. It is a position consistent with international law, with numerous UN Resolutions and with the international consensus that exists on how to resolve the conflict," Erekat said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has earlier stated that the PNA won't deal with any Israeli government that doesn't respect the already signed peace agreements, adding that he doesn't know what kind of Israeli government will be formed.

The US army has confirmed that Israel has their very own circumcised version of Dr. Manhattan's schlong, which is estimated in 200 to 400 nuclear warheads by other sources.

After years of ignoring the Israeli nuclear program—which was denounced in 1986 by former nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu—the United States' Department of Defense has acknowledged Israel nuclear power status for the first time.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of its own nuclear arsenal, but page 37 of the US Joint Forces Command report recognizes the fact, putting it in the same group as Pakistan, India, China, North Korea, Russia, along with an "emerging Iran," Taiwan and Japan having "the capability to develop nuclear weapons quickly."

According to "The Samson Option" report—an investigative article written by reporter Seymour Hersh—Israel may have 200 to 400 atomic warheads, ready to use as the last resort in case of a massive attack that may put in danger the existence of the country.