September, 2005

• 8 September

  Top military aide assassinated in Gaza

  GAZA CITY (AFP) — The security chaos blighting the Gaza Strip Wednesday claimed its highest-profile victim when local strongman Moussa Arafat, an adviser to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, was assassinated by gunmen. Abbas led condemnation of the popular resistance committees’ killing of Arafat, a cousin of the late Yasser Arafat, …

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• 8 September

  In war or peace, deal-maker survives

  NAIROBI — Hollywood wasn’t exaggerating when it portrayed Osman Ali Atto as the master survivor of Mogadishu’s ganglands. But the warlord with a wrestler’s build and hawk-like face immortalised in the film “Black Hawk Down” says his wheeling and dealing is aimed as much at strengthening Somalia as at making …

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• 8 September

  Confusion greets Egypt’s democratic experiment

  CAIRO (AFP) — Confused Egyptian voters and officials tried Wednesday to adjust to indelible ink, independent monitors, party delegates and multi-choice ballots, in the country’s first contested presidential poll. In the Khaled Ben Walid School in the Cairo suburb of Shubra Al Khima, two judges debated which ink they were …

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• 8 September

  Gulf wants Israel out of W. Bank

  JEDDAH (AFP) — Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers called Wednesday for Israel to withdraw completely from the occupied West Bank and for the establishment of a Palestinian state. A statement issued after a meeting Tuesday of the GCC’s top diplomats also called for better relations with Iran and for …

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• 8 September

  Iran to challenge IAEA report

  TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran is to challenge a tough report on its nuclear programme by the UN’s atomic energy watchdog as it contains “errors” and makes “unacceptable” demands of the Islamic republic, a senior official told AFP Wednesday. The senior nuclear negotiator, Ali Agha Mohammadi, also warned the United States …

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• 8 September

  US troops say dark streets becoming safer

  BAGHDAD — Just before sunset, US soldiers from the Bushmaster Troop stop playing basketball and prepare to set off on another patrol in Dura, one of Baghdad’s most dangerous districts which they say is becoming safer. The soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division cheerfully load up with drinks and ammunition, …

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• 8 September

  Egypt’s vote marred by fraud charges

  CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian voters had a choice for president for the first time Wednesday in an election the United States hopes is a key step towards democracy across the Middle East. But the ballot was marred by charges of fraud and the near-certainty that President Hosni Mubarak will win …

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• 4 September

  Israel to end Gaza pullout by September 15

  OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AFP) — The Israeli military said Saturday it would complete its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip by September 15 but threatened to strike the territory hard if the Jewish state came under threat. The head of army logistics, General Eran Ofir, told public radio: “I think that we …

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• 4 September

  Iraq rebels target security forces

  BAGHDAD (AP) — Insurgents killed 19 Iraqi security forces Saturday in clashes around Baqouba, while US and Iraqi forces intensified an offensive in a rebel-infested city that the Americans subdued last year — only to have the Iraqis lose control. Eight policemen died in a pair of shootouts in Baqouba, …

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• 4 September

  Tough IAEA report could lead to Iran sanctions

  VIENNA (AP) — Iran faced a deadline Saturday to freeze work that could enable it to make an atomic weapon. European Union representatives warned Tehran had just weeks before a likely referral to the UN Security Council. The probability of Security Council action grew after an IAEA report revealed Friday …

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