Speaking in a press conference, Musa Abu Marzouq said Abu Mazen is entitled and authorized to do so, “but once such a measure is adopted, Palestine will have to face tensions and chaos.” The Palestinian leader, meantime, stressed that Hamas does not reserve the right to recognize the Zionist regime, …

Deputy director of Iran’s Trade Development Organization Ali Houshmandi Maneshi said Iran is always prepared to boost the volume of its trade exchanges and export of technical and engineering services to Iraq. He also called on the different Iranian governmental and private sectors, institutions and associations involved in the export …

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) — The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose financial and weapons sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear test, which the resolution called a “clear threat to international peace and security”. The US-drafted resolution allows nations to stop cargo going to and from North …

WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush keeps revising his explanation for why the US is in Iraq, moving from narrow military objectives at first to history-of-civilisation stakes now. Initially, the rationale was specific: To stop Saddam Hussein from using what Bush claimed were the Iraqi leader’s weapons of mass destruction …

ISRAELI TROOPS KILLED eight Palestinian fighters in clashes in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, including seven from the Hamas group, amid a surge in violence in the coastal territory. In the past three days, 21 Palestinians have been killed in fighting in Gaza, the majority of them fighters, and two …

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s Shiite-dominated interior ministry, whose police forces have been accused of complicity in the sectarian attacks wracking the country, will change top commanders and has already fired 3,000 employees accused of corruption or rights abuses, a spokesman said Saturday. Thousands have died this year in the cycle …

KHARTOUM (AP) — The Sudanese government signed a peace deal Saturday in Eritera with a group of rebels from the mountains of eastern Sudan ending a deadly strife that has been overshadowed by the conflict in Darfur. “I tell you that we will abide by this agreement,” Sudanese President Omar …

CAIRO — In almost three years as supreme guide of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Mehdi Akef has changed the face of the underground movement into an openly active player on the political scene. “He is definitely the most audacious leader,” Diaa Rashwan, senior researcher at the Ahram Centre for Strategic …

Speaking to FNA on Saturday, assistant mayor of Mashhad for planning Mansour Mahdizadegan said that the decision was made during a visit to the Malaysian capital by a high-ranking delegation from Mashhad’s municipality. He said the 6-day visit was aimed at discussing potentials and appropriate opportunities for the two sides’ …

According to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Bureau, Mottaki made the remarks in a meeting with ECO’s new Secretary-General here on Saturday. During the meeting, the minister further stressed Iran’s resolve for the strengthening of all-out regional cooperation.