May, 2005

• 29 May

  Officials say King Fahd in stable condition

  RIYADH (AFP) — King Fahd, the ruler of oil powerhouse Saudi Arabia, remained in hospital Saturday with a lung infection as worries about his health sent crude prices higher and the authorities insisted there was no cause for concern. “His condition is stable… The results of medical tests make us …

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• 29 May

  Guardian Council passes law to develop nuke tech

  TEHRAN (AP) — Iran’s hard-line Guardian Council on Saturday approved a law forcing Iran to develop nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment, an action aimed at strengthening Tehran’s hand in negotiations with Europeans. The law’s passing does not compel the government to resume uranium enrichment immediately, but it insists the Tehran …

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• 29 May

  Hizbollah flexes muscles ahead of elections

  BEIRUT — As Lebanon prepares for what is being hailed as its first free vote in years, the powerful Shiite movement Hizbollah was flexing its military muscle and vowing to fight on against arch-enemy Israel. Hizbollah is projected to win possibly 12 seats in the elections kicking off in the …

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• 29 May

  Criminal court acquits Al Arabiya correspondent of spreading false news

  KUWAIT CITY (AP) — A correspondent of Arab satellite television network Al Arabiya was acquitted of spreading false news said to have harmed national interests, following a report about an alleged shoot-out between militants and police, a criminal court ruled Saturday. The Dubai-based television station broadcast an official denial of …

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• 29 May

  Reform a must after Lebanon polls

  BEIRUT — Lebanon has averted financial meltdown despite an acute political crisis. Initial pressure on its currency has eased. The tourist season may yet be salvaged. But analysts say full recovery will come only if reforms to rein in its ballooning $34 billion debt top the agenda after general elections …

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• 29 May

  Shiites, Sunnis forge peace as Japanese hostage feared slain in Iraq

  BAGHDAD (AP) — Two of Iraq’s most influential Shiite and Sunni organisations agreed Saturday to try and make peace as the government prepared to take its war against the insurgency to Baghdad’s violent streets. The new effort to ease sectarian tensions, which threaten to plunge Iraq into civil strife, came …

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• 27 May

  Annan Calls for Further Progress in Implementing Kosovo Standards

  In a new report on UNMIK submitted to the Security Council this week, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan recommends that a comprehensive review of Kosovo’s progress in implementing a set of UN-set standards be initiated this summer. But further progress towards meeting the targets is an essential precondition for launching …

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• 27 May

  Iraq unveiles Massive security offensive

  BAGHDAD (Reuters) — Iraq’s government will pour tens of thousands of Iraqi troops into Baghdad in an unprecedented operation to seal off the city and hunt insurgents who have launched a fresh wa ve of violence, ministers said on Thursday. Defence Minister Sadoun Dulaimi said 40,000 Iraqi troops would be …

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• 27 May

  Keep talking with EU only buys time in nuke dispute

  VIENNA (AP) — Europe’s success in cajoling Iran to stick with negotiations meant to reduce Tehran’s potential for nuclear mischief is only one skirmish won in a high stakes diplomatic battle. A decision Wednesday at a meeting of European foreign ministers and a top Iranian representative to keep talking defused …

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• 27 May

  Reformers mull presidential bid or boycott

  TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran’s main reformist party was Thursday meeting to decide whether Mostafa Moin, its candidate who was given last-minute approval to stand in presidential elections next month, should go ahead and contest the polls. The fears are that even if Moin manages to pull off a surprise win …

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