Middle Orient

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview published on Sunday he will remain in office until 2010, a decision likely to stoke tensions with Islamist Hamas rivals who oppose his peace talks with Israel.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s cabinet debated for the first time on Sunday a proposal to offer compensation to Jewish settlers who volunteer to leave parts of the West Bank that would be handed to the Palestinians in a future peace deal.

At least 10 people have been killed in two bomb attacks targeting security forces in Iraq. A roadside bomb killed six Kurdish peshmerga fighters in Khanaqin town in Diyala province, north-east of Baghdad.

The most senior judge in Saudi Arabia has said it is permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV channels which broadcast immoral programmes.

TEHRAN (FNA)- A United Nations envoy said on Wednesday that Iran plays a significant part in supporting Iraq’s stability and economic developments given the close ties both countries share.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s new ambassador to Turkey Bahman Hosseinpour Dhashtgholi, presented his credentials yesterday to Turkish President Abdullah Gul, thus upgrading the level of Tehran’s representation in Ankara from chargé d’affaires to ambassador after approximately two years.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran and Iraq have come to terms on establishing three free trade zones in border regions, secretary of the two countries’ Economic Development Affairs (IIEDA) headquarters announced.

TEHRAN (FNA)- “Art of Islamic World: From Turkey to Indonesia” exhibition is currently underway at the Istanbul’s Asian Art Museum that will run through March 1.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has vowed to pursue peace talks with Ehud Olmert until the scandal-hit Israeli prime minister’s last day in office, and with whoever succeeds him, an Israeli newspaper said on Friday.

TEL AVIV, Israel (Reuters) – The European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Friday he was “less and less optimistic” that Israel and the Palestinians would meet a U.S. goal of a peace deal this year but he urged both sides to keep up momentum in 2009.