Middle Orient

Iraq’s government has endorsed plans to relocate thousands of Arabs who were moved to Kirkuk as part of Saddam Hussein’s campaign to force ethnic Kurds out of the oil-rich city, in an effort to undo one of the former dictator’s most enduring and hated policies.

Chief of Staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces, Major General Seyed Hassan Firooz Abadi warned Muslim leaders of Palestine’s neighboring countries about implementation of a suicidal plan by the Zionist regime of Israel.

Head of Thailand’s National Security Council, in a meeting with Iranian ambassador to Bangkok Mohsen Pak Ayeen on Thursday, said his country attaches much significance and value to its ties with Iran, and further voiced pleasure in the expanding relations between the two states.

At a summit of Arab leaders this week, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia said the U.S. is illegally occupying Iraq. What are the political implications for such a statement from a key ally in the region?

Five suicide bombers struck Shi’ite marketplaces in northeast Baghdad and a town north of the capital at nightfall, killing at least 122 people and wounding more than 150 in one of Iraq’s deadliest days in years.

Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh issued a vague warning on Friday that Hamas would reassess its options if economic sanctions are not lifted on the Palestinian unity government within two to three months.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas a “terrorist” and accused him of personally transferring over $1 million to militants to carry out attacks against Israel.

Tehran’s Interim Friday Prayers Leader Ahmad Khatami called on the UN Security Council, European Union and other international bodies not to interfere with the current problem between Tehran and London, saying that Britain has trespassed Iran’s borders and the issue must be solved by the two countries themselves.

Following increased tensions between Tehran and London over the detention of 15 British marines who entered Iranian waters illegally and likely gatherings by protestors in front of the embassy compound, the police increased security measures and arrangements around the embassy here in Tehran on Friday.

I do apologize to the Iranian people for entering Iranian waters illegally and without any permission, Thomas Summers, one of the 15 British marines who were arrested after trespassing Iran’s territorial waters said here on Friday.