January, 2009

• 29 January

  Taliban say Guantanamo closure “positive step”

  LONDON – The Taliban told U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday that his plan to close Guantanamo Bay prison camp was a “positive step” but peace was only possible if he withdraws U.S. forces from Afghanistan and Iraq. The Taliban, toppled in the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, also told …

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• 29 January

  Iraq Shi’ite parties vie for power in provinces

  NAJAF, Iraq  – After years of often bloody struggle, one party has risen to dominate much of Iraq’s Shi’ite Muslim south, but the party of the prime minister poses a stiff challenge in upcoming elections due to his rising popularity. Slick, well-organized and well-funded, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (ISCI) …

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• 29 January

  Larijani Warns UAE to Revise Approach to Iran

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani on Wednesday warned UAE to revise its attitude regarding fingerprinting of Iranian citizens. “UAE should know that the parliament’s demand about their attitude is serious,” Larijani said, adding that the Iranian lawmakers are angry to observe the UAE’s improper handling of Iranian incomers …

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• 29 January

  Egypt Turns down Iran’s Request for Delivering Aid Supply to Gaza

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Egypt officially rejected unloading of an estimated 2,000 tons of medical and food supplies for the crisis-stricken people in Gaza, and said it would not issue the required permit for the Iranian ship to approach the Gaza Strip, a source said on Wednesday. The secretariat of the Organization …

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• 29 January

  Ahmadinejad: US Should Apologize to Iran to Show “Change”

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on the new US administration to extend an apology to Tehran if it really intends to put Obama’s campaign slogan of “change” into practice. “The people who want to make changes in the US should apologize to the Iranian nation and compensate for …

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• 29 January

  MP Stresses Trial of War Criminals

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi here Wednesday underlined the necessity for the trial of war criminals. “Trial of the war criminals plays a significant role in preventing crimes against humanity,” Boroujerdi said during a meeting with Georgian Ambassador to Tehran …

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• 29 January

  Iranians Condemn Delisting of MKO by EU

  TEHRAN (FNA)- The European Union’s decision to take the anti-Iran terrorist group, the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) off its blacklist has caused angry reactions in the Iranian society. Iran’s Attorney General Ghorbanali Dorri Najaf Abadi condemned the EU action and called it an unjustifiable measure. Najaf Abadi said the action …

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• 29 January

  Iran Slams UAE’s Claims on Abu Moussa Island

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Tuesday dismissed the United Arab Emirates’ claims on the Iranian island of Abu Moussa. “Emirates’ expansionist claims and propaganda on Abu Moussa island lack legal basis or historical documents,” Mottaki said to Iranian parliament members. The Iranian foreign minister had been summoned to …

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• 29 January

  US Seeks Dialogue With Iran over Afghanistan

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen said on Tuesday that US can hold dialogue with Iran over Afghanistan. Mullen underlined that the US can hold dialogue with Iran and find some mutual interests in Afghanistan and such talks “could be useful”. “With respect …

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• 29 January

  Iran, Egypt Discuss Opening of Rafah Crossing

  TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran is conferring with the Egyptian government on opening Rafah border crossing and paving the way for Iranian aid vessel to dock in Gaza coast, a lawmaker said here on Wednesday. “A number of Iranian MPs are leaving for Gaza to confer about opening of Rafah crossings and …

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