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A weekly report for the decision maker that summarizes the most important of what happened in Syria and the region whether it was published by anyone or not for the period from 1st until 7th March, 2010. For more details about the news present in the report, you can search our website by accessing the advanced search page.
We receive your suggestions for the development of the weekly report, by adding new sections or deleting existing sections. As well as receive your contributions to be published in the "in the trading" section or in the field of "the politics scenes".
Events and local & economic news
- Syrian worker killed and another wounded after the explosion of a mortar of the remnant of the civil war, at the waterfront of the city of Beirut in the region of Normandy. The accident took place during a rebuilding workshop, related to Solidere Company.
- The National Leadership of the Baath Arab Socialist Party appointed Major General, Mwuaffaq Jumaa, Chairman of the Executive Office of the General Sports Federation, the highest sports authority in Syria. This was days after the sports elections took place, where the Syrian athletes elected their representatives to the Executive Board of the Union.
- Official Syrian daily, Al-Thawra, criticized the Syrian government’s policy in the economic field, pointing to the limitation and weakness of the Syrian’s income, increase in corruption, and the accumulation of irregularities and decline of agriculture and industry.
- a statement issued by the U.S. Foreign State Department revealed that the Syrian Sister Marie-Claude Nadav received international award for the courage of women, which is given annually to ten women around the world.
- An anonymous person threw last Saturday night a grenade at a restaurant located northern the city of Tartous on the highway of Tartous- Lattakia causing injury of two people. The reason for that is a dispute between the owner of the restaurant and the investor chalets located nearby.
- The Monetary and Lending council licensed four joint ventures to the exercise of the exchange in Damascus and Idlib, Aleppo and Homs, under several resolutions.
- Internet service provider, a director of one of the companies operating in the Syrian market estimated the value of Internet prepaid cards on the market at 800 million pounds; He described those cards to be "sleeping" because they exist in the market and the distribution points but had not been used yet.
- The Indian State Oil Company discovered two new oil fields in north-eastern Syria in the province of Deir el-Zor, with a reserve of up to 185 million barrels.
- Tishreen learned from informed sources that there will be soon an announcement for the licensing of the first Syrian bank for the poor. This is after the passage of a resolution by the People’s Council, containing the establishment of a Syrian joint stock company, under the name of «Creativity Bank» last week.
- The General Tobacco Foundation warned the consumers that contraband and counterfeit cigarettes and moassal (shisha tobacco), reached to the domestic market, the analysis showed that these items contain extremely harmful and toxic substances, and they can lead to serious illnesses when consumed.
- The Syrian government announced a new project to draw water from the Tigris River in the Hasaka province at an estimated cost up to / 100 / billion Syrian pounds and consists of a pumping station in the Ain Dewar, a tunnel, as well as main and supplementary channels, to bring the water to Khabour river, and the water dams that are currently established.
- A study of the International Bank included an estimation of the environmental degradation through their account of the gross domestic product, and in Syria, the amount is 1.9 Billion pound.
- EFG-Hermes announced the launching of a new fund for direct investment in the Syrian market, which values between 250 and 300 million dollars in pursuit of promising investment opportunities in the Syrian market.
Rights and Civil Society
- Through their annual conference, lawyers in Idlib request the amendment amend the current laws of publications to ensure greater freedom of opinion, expression, and the press. They also called for amending the law on due process and in particular Article 104, or to activated at least, as well as the issuing of the law regulating the legal profession whose draft was prepared years ago.
- The new labor law draft, that was being studied by the competent committees «Committees for Constitutional Affairs, Legislative and services»; the draft was returned to the People’s Council in its first version, without any amendments that have been submitted by the committees.
- The Syrian Ministry of Information banned the distribution of No. 32 of the “Researchers” magazine, which is the number of February’s edition, because it contained a scientific medical article entitled as "errors of sexual intercourse and sexual vigilance disorders" by Dr. Ibrahim Isa.
- Syrian Human Rights organizations confirmed that Syrian authorities arrested two rights activists confiscated their personal possessions, such as CD’s and books, and took them to an unknown destination. Those are Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahman, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Organization for Human Rights in Syria (MAF) and his colleague at the Board of Trustees activist, Nadira Abdo.
- Syrian Committee for Human Rights said that the 25-year-old, Al Moutasem Billah Shafee Thaiban Al Hariri, recently passed away, as a result of the torture he sustained during his arrest last year after his return from the United Arab Emirates.
- The Ministry of Communication and Technology announced that are studying the possibility of three, solar electricity, processing plants for the Telecommunication Company, in the Syrian Steppe. This project should be as a pilot posed by the Commission to provide the country with equipment installations of solar energy
International Affairs and Diplomatic Activities
- French diplomatic sources said that Paris invited Damascus to attend a conference on peaceful nuclear energy on the eighth and ninth of this month at the headquarters of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.
- The Ministry of Energy and Industry of Azerbaijan said that Azerbaijan was engaging in talks on the export of natural gas to Syria. The export could start supplying about one billion cubic meters annually in the end of 2010.
- An official source at the U.S. Embassy in Damascus demeaned the importance of the media reports that talked about a near visit of the US secretary of state to Damascus. Pointing out that those reports were "not based on accurate information and now we cannot confirm nor deny the visit."
- The Syrian government officially apologized for not receiving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who was scheduled to visit Damascus. But the visit did not receive the Syrian green light and was apologized for at the last minute.
- the Lebanese newspaper "Al- Akhbar" (News), mentioned on Monday that Nader Al Hariri, advisor of the Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Al Hariri, had telephoned Dr. Buthaina Shabaan last Thursday. But to his surprise, according to the newspapers, Shabaan tactfully apologized saying that the President was busy with his guests (Iranian President Ahmad Najad and Mr. Hasan Nasrallah
- Syria and Libya signed the establishment of a strategic cooperation council between the two countries
- Syrian President, Bashar Al Assad, recieved Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmad Daoud Oghlo, in Damascus, and they discussed the importance of protecting the Islamic shrines in Jerusalem. Oghlo stressed that Turkey is determined to continue mediating in the indirect negotiations between Syria and Israel. He also met last week, Mrs. Eva Cair Hansen, head of foreign policy committee in the Danish parliament and her entourage
- On an Arab level, President Bashar Al Assad recieved letters, regarding the bilateral relations between the Mauritanian President, Mohammed Wuld Abdul Aziz, and the Sudanese President, Omar Al Bashir, as well as King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. The letters were delivered to him through the Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Alnaha Hamdi Bint Miknas, and Minister of State at the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, Mr. Al Karti, as well as the advisor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (Saudi King), Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Abdulla Bin Abdulaziz
- On another Arab level, President Bashar Al Assad, along with Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Al Thani, Qatar Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign affairs, searched and surfed the developments of the Palestinian arena, and the preparations for the Arab Summit. President al-Assad met with heads of delegations of Arab businessmen participating in the Thirteenth Conference of Arab businessmen and investors, Which was held in Damascus, he discussed with them the importance of establishing an Arab economic bloc capable of facing global challenges
- On Iraq, President Assad also received a verbal message from the Iraqi government on the bilateral relations between the two countries, delivered by Tareq al-Hashemi, Iraqi Vice President. He also received the President of the Iraqi National Movement, Iyad Allawi, and discussed with him the latest developments on the Iraqi scene and the ongoing preparations for the conduct of the Iraqi parliamentary elections.
Regional and International
- the International Tribunal investigating the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, announced abandoning any unreliable information, and confirmed the presence of a major terrorist network that is moving around the smaller networks , pointing out that this big terrorist network is the one that "moved" the other network that assassinated Al Hariri
- Under a single Syrian reservation, the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers on the proposal of the U.S. mediator George Mitchell to hold indirect negotiations without any preconditions between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, for the period of four months.
- Israeli army abandoned the plan to move large forces of order and to call up reservists as part of training leaders for the Chief of Staff, fearing that Syria would misinterpret that as a preparation for war.
- commander in Chief of Dubai Police, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan, denied the information that were spreading around regarding any pressure by the State of Qatar, to close the file of the assassination of, Mahmoud Mabhouh, leader of the Islamic Resistance movement "Hamas"
- Mohammed Shariati, advisor of the former Iran President, Mohammed Khatami, said that the Iranian-Syrian controversy or conflict still exists regarding the Iraqi Prime Minister, Noori Al Malki, and his coalition voting
- Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, underwent a surgery to remove a gall bladder in Germany on Saturday. Suring his leave, the Presidency tasks were assigned to Prime Minister, Ahmad Nazif, until the return of Mubarak to the country.
- Former officials of the U.S. national security council revealed that President Bashar Al Assad, in a recently held meeting, said to them that the U.S. policy in the in the Middle East was wrong in the past decade, which created a void filled by other countries, in reference to Iran and Turkey
- Head of Research department, in the Israeli army claimed that Syria has provided Hezbollah with sophisticated weapons during the past few days. these weapons include sophisticated Russian "Land- space" rockets, from the model of "Egla" , those are able bring down reconnaissance planes and Helicopters, as well as "F-16" aircrafts
- An investigation conducted by BBC revealed that there is a high percentage of children living with congenital deformities in the Iraqi city of Fallujah. this was revealed six years after the battles fought by US forces against insurgents in the city
- Israeli Human Rights Organizations , in a letter sent to the Israeli General Attorney, criticized the Mossad, for blackmailing the Palestinian patients in Gaza Strip, in order to pressure them into becoming their agents, taking advantage of the patients need for treatment
- Mossad Hasan Youdef, son of one of the founders of Hamas movement, confirmed on Tuesday, that he worked as a spy for the Israeli security apparatus "Al Shein Beit" for ten years. He justified his motives by his belief that the movement, which controls the Gaza Strip, is practicing a "harsh terrific manners" against its members, and is killing people randomly.
- Arab MP, Jamal Zahalka, expected in the Israeli Kennest, the explosion of a third intifada, he said that there is a void in the Palestinian political system, and the majority of the Palestinian people do not feel that the main two political forces, which are Fatah and Hamas, are representing them. This situation represents a historic opportunity for the lefty forces in Palestinian society, an opportunity that they must immediately cease if the possessed the political administration
- Commander in Chief of Dubai Police, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan, requested the General Attorney in Dubai to issue an arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Mossad chief Meir Dagan, regarding the background of the assassination of Hamas leader Mahmoud Mabhouh.
- a Lebanese Security source said that a Lebanese was arrested last month on the suspicion of spying for Israel, and he confessed the involvement in the assassination of Ghaleb Awali, on the cadres of Hezbollah in 2004
- a source in the Turkish Ministry of Defense, reported that that the Turkish army recieved from Israel six Heron aircrafts, with two ground stations . the other four aircrafts will be handed in two waves, during the coming May and June
Positions and Statements
- Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmad Daoud Oghlo, confirmed from Damascus, his country's determination t proceed with the mediation role between the indirect peace negotiations between Syria and Israel, in order to eventually reach direct negotiations
- Represented by its president Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister, Rajab Tayyeb Ordoghan, and Foreign Minister, Ahmed Dawood Oglu, Turkey has shown a strong reaction to the "Armenian Project" which was approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee U.S. House of Representatives. , Warning it could damage US-Turkish relations, and calling the project a "comedy", Turkey also summoned its ambassador in Washington
- the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the Prime Minister is <> to resume the peace talks, , this was said In response to the reports which claimed that Syria is ready to accept an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights «on stages» for the normalization of relations
- Syrian Foreign Minister, Waleed Al Moalem, responded to the declaration of the office of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that latter is ready to travel immediately to Damascus to meet with the Syrian President Bashar Al Assad. He said, <>
- President of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Sheikh Saleh Kamel, requested the Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, to start or initiate a corrective movement, such as the one done by his father to eliminate bureaucracy and corruption at his time. . He drew heavy criticism of the mechanisms of action in Syria, demanding to eliminate them quickly so Damascus can take the place it deserves and be able to reflect its potentials of large investment
- UK has announced a significant change in British law, stating that it will not be possible to issue arrest warrants against politicians, military officers, or soldiers, without the authentication of the legal advisor to the government.
- Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmad Abu AL Gait, said "there is no coldness in the relations between Syria and Egypt", he also said, "we are optimistic about convergence and joint coordination, Syria is that balance of the Orient, And we seek to maintain its national security, "he also considered that any Israeli attack on Syria or Lebanon is a red line that should not be crossed.
- The United Arab Emirates decided to prevent the entry of the Zionists to their country, no matter what their nationality or historical assets were, as an aftermath to the assassination of Mahmoud Mabhouh, the military leader in Hamas movement.
- Libya hinted to take decisions against Lebanon, in case the Lebanese government decided to boycott the Arab Summit, which will be held in Libya, because of the issue of Imam Musa Al Sadr, and his two companions, dissatisfaction with the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Damascus, and the dissatisfaction with statements made by the latter.
- • Reliable sources said that the Democratic President, MP Walid Jumblatt, intends to bring an explicit apology for the leadership and the people in Syria during a speech on the anniversary of the assassination of his father, Kamal Jumblatt, on 16th of the upcoming March.
Ob Debate
- Sources familiar with the Syrian Ministry of Information, clarified that there is particular sensitivity regarding the publication of any scientific information, which fall under the "sexual education" category, in the Syrian publications in particular, and the Syrian media in general. . The sources continued that the censorship of publications, and for unknown reasons, checking all that would include sexual information in the literature that it receives even if the information were of medical and scientific nature. These sources were supported by the long term prevention, on "Al Bahithoun" (Researchers) magazine, due to it including an article on "errors of sexual intercourse", it also was supported by many prevention or banning situations that reached "Shabab Daem" (permanent youth) Syrian medical magazine, because many of its medical articles touched upon the sexual education. The sources concluded by saying that there is no evidence of a higher guidance or general policy in the ministry, but there is more than one evidence that the prevention is based on individual opinions and considerations by the internal director of information and the director of internal control in the ministry.
- a large number of family members of a young woman in the second decade of her life stood before the Aleppo University Hospital demanding handing over the girl "to kill her", after the doctors discovered that she was pregnant, without being married. Which has necessitated the competent authorities to move them away from the place and recording the incident officially. The deployment of Syrian site for this story, and the image of people who gathered in front of Shabi hospital, provoked a lot of controversy about the possibility of interference by the authorities to actually prevent such a crime. a statement issued by the Observatory of women in Syria stated that the Syrian government is responsible for protecting the life of the young woman, considering that the failure to take any action against the planners of the killing, would encourage them to continue planning and eventually carry out their crime. The debate continues in the street about the possibility of authority interference in such a situation, believing that its interference limits may keep the authorities simply a spectator to a crime of murder under preparation.
- Scenes of the diplomatic work picked up information that state that the preoccupation of General Major, Mhammed Nasif, with the arrangements of the visit of Iyad allawi, a couple of days ago to Damascus, has postponed the discussion on the subject of the visit of Walid Jumblatt , a few more days. The information also state that President Bashar Al Assad was supposed to meet with Major General, Mohammed Nasif, to discuss the visit of the President Democratic party bloc, Walid Jumblatt, to Syria. But this meeting did not take place because the Major General was preoccupied with the visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister, but the meeting is expected to be held next Sunday.
- Syrian Media scenes picked up on the information that project of the interior placement for university students is about to come out of the Council of Ministers so it can be presented to the People's Council for discussion and approval by law. about the amounts of money that will be paid for these placements, the scenes say after certain reliable sources that the project has divided university students into 3 categories: the first category is going to be estimated for 300,000 SP, the second category for 400,000 SP, and the third category for 500,000 SP, on one condition that the placement amount fits reciprocally the number of years of the university education.
- Israeli military sources claimed that North Korea supplied Syria with about 45 tons of uranium known as "yellow cake" in September 2007 to produce fuel for the "undeclared nuclear reactor in Syria”. ". But the shipment stopped shortly after the Israeli air strike on what Israel claimed that the Syrian nuclear reactor under construction. According to Western diplomatic source, the shipment was diverted to Iran last summer.
- After several days of concern in the search for the way that Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, came across through to Damascus, and the questions in the media and the Israeli political arena on how did he manage to skip the monitor of the Israeli intelligence. a senior security official source in Tel Aviv made a statement saying that Nasrallah used a lad route from Beirut to Damascus, using an old car, one that does not attract attention , and he was hiding inside it. However, the secrets of Nasrallah's visit to Damascus, is no longer far from the Syrian street, which also got busy talking, trading and speculating about the ways and means adopted by Hezbollah to secure its general secretary's visit to Damascus and his appearance before television cameras.
- it has been reported that a Syrian resolution or decision was reported to Syria's allies in Lebanon, its implementation provides for ending of mandate given to the former President of the "Arab Democratic Party", MP Ali Eid. this was on the background of revelation during investigations in the case of finding hand grenades found in the area of Jabal Mohsen in Tripoli about a month ago, , Which resulted in the arrest of a key military official in the party too close to the Rifaat Eid with his son. information state that there had been calling for the former Alawi MP, Ahmad Habbous, to Damascus, where he was asked to resume his political activity as soon as possible, so he can be ready as a replacement for Rifaat Eid, which the Syrian officials realized that he was not acceptable at all in the Sunni street in Tripoli
A weekly report for the decision maker that summarizes the most important of what happened in Syria and the region whether it was published by anyone or not for the period from 1st until 7th March, 2010. For more details about the news present in the report, you can search our website by accessing the advanced search page.
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