Middle Orient News

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s government called for calm on Friday to dampen a bitter row over the status of Kirkuk, a day after Kurdish councilors called for the city to become part of the largely autonomous region of Kurdistan.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – In Tripoli’s most deprived areas, Lebanon’s lingering political troubles are being fought out in a sectarian conflict that threatens to cause more bloodshed.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said Monday it had successfully test-fired a naval weapon which could destroy any vessel within a range of 300 kilometers (190 miles).

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili on Monday spoke by phone with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on the standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hussein Nozari has revealed that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will seriously consider rationing its oil production.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia to attend a meeting of the executive committee of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Sunday described diplomacy as the only way to end the nuclear standoff between his country and the West, and insisted that Tehran is serious about negotiations.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari announced that his country plans to supply petrol, diesel oil and fuel oil at free-market rates on daily basis while natural gas and kerosene will be semi-subsidized.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili will speak to European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Monday, an Iranian official said.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Syrian President Bashar Assad concluded his two-day visit to Tehran on Sunday in which he expressed support for Iran’s nuclear program.