Monthly Archives: December 2014

NATO ceremonially end combat mission in Afghan after 13 years

 The US and NATO ceremonially ended their combat mission in Afghanistan on Monday, 13 years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks sparked their invasion of the country to topple the Taliban-led government. NATO’s International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, which was in charge of combat operations, lowered its flag, formally …

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Egypt calls on Britain to support Libya’s ‘legitimate government institutions’

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry discussed bilateral relations and anti-terrorism efforts with his British counterpart Philip Hammond, on the sidelines of the 10th International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue Forum in Bahrain, on Saturday. Shoukry detailed recent developments in Libya to Hammond following a conference last week …

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UK closes Cairo Embassy over security concerns

The British Embassy in Cairo remained closed on Sunday amid “safety concerns”, with no clear indication given of when public services will resume. British Ambassador to Egypt John Casson confirmed that the decision was taken for “security reasons” in a message via social networking site Twitter. However, Casson did not …

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US, Pakistan resume discussion to combat militancy

Pakistan and the US have resumed their talks for devising joint strategies to combat militancy along the restive Pak-Afghan border, days after America handed over a top Pakistani Taliban militant to the country. The talks were held amid signs of improvement in relations between the defence establishments of the two countries.

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OSCE states have different positions on Ukraine, Swiss FM says

Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter has said that European Union ministers have held informal talks aimed at drafting a joint declaration on Ukraine but the discussions have been fruitless. Speaking at a news conference here, late on Thursday, Burkhalter said the ministers, grouped here for the 21st OSCE Ministerial Council …

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Turkish, Azerbaijani, Georgian FMs to discuss trilateral meeting

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is scheduled to meet with his Azerbaijani and Georgian counterparts for a trilateral meeting in the eastern province of Kars on Dec. 10. During the meeting, Çavuşoğlu, Georgian Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov are expected to discuss bilateral and regional …

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International coalition to launch support mission for Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani said Friday the international forces would launch a new mission in Afghanistan to provide support and consultations for the local forces. The beginning of next year will witness the launch of non-combat operations of international forces in Afghanistan, which means the mandate of these troops will …

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Egyp urges neighbours to support Libya

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed on Thursday concern over the worrying situation in Libya, urging more support for the neighboring country to restore security and stability. “Undoubtedly, there are many worrying developments in Libya but we have to seriously address them and exert more efforts to help Libya build …

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Libya stability can be achieved through dialogue, Tunisian FM says

The settlement of the crisis in Libya cannot but be « political » and « dialogue » is the unique way to restore stability and security in this country, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mongi Hamdi asserted, Thursday. « Libyans should place the country’s supreme interest above any consideration. They still have …

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