Egypt PM wants Mubarak to seek another term, say reports
CAIRO: Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif said in comments published on Saturday that he hoped 82-year-old President Hosni Mubarak would seek a sixth six-year term in an election due next…
UN says Gaza blockade hinders reconstruction aid
JERUSALEM: Most of the property and infrastructure damaged in Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip was still unrepaired 12 months later and aid efforts have been largely ineffective, a UN…
Nefertiti won't come between us: German FM tells Egypt
CAIRO: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle assured Egypt on Saturday that a dispute over the ownership of a 3,400 year-old bust of Queen Nefertiti will not damage ties between the…
Germany urges Mideast parties to pursue direct talks
CAIRO: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Saturday urged Israel and the Palestinians, who are engaged in US-mediated indirect peace talks, to pursue direct negotiations. "Our talks focused on the…
Egypt to cut deficit to 3.5 pct of GDP in 2015, says report
CAIRO: Egypt aims to cut its budget deficit to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product in 2015 and raise the growth rate by that time to 8.5 percent, the finance…
Egypt and Pakistan to boost trade
CAIRO: Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Sunday that his country plans to boost trade with Egypt, during a visit to Cairo where he met with President Hosni…
What to do with Jerusalem
WASHINGTON, DC: Ever since Israeli-Palestinian talks began nearly two decades ago, it’s been clear that Jerusalem would be the thorniest problem of all. Because of this, the prevailing assumption has…
Europe's doubting generation
PARIS: The contrast between the Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950, which launched the European unification project through the Coal and Steel Community, and the fearful bid to save Greece…
Thailand on the precipice
BANGKOK: The two-month siege of downtown Bangkok by the so-called “Red Shirts” has ended in bloodshed. More than 60 people, including two foreign reporters and a few soldiers, died in…
The consequences of Iran's nuclear deal
The deal struck in Tehran on Monday, May 17, could largely defuse the international crisis over Iran’s nuclear activities — if it is accepted by the international community. It must…