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Abbas heads for Syria talks with Assad, militant leaders 
AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 11:47 AM
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas headed for Damascus for a meeting with President Bashar al-Assad and with Palestinian militant leaders based in Syria.Syria forecasts 5.6 pc growth AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 5:55 AM
Syria expects its economy to grow by 5.6 percent this year, up from 5.1 percent last year and 4.5 percent in 2005, deputy prime minister for economic affairs Abdullah Dardari has said.Abbas heads for Syria talks with Assad, militant leaders Channel NewsAsia - Jan 19 7:52 AM
RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas headed for Damascus Friday for a meeting with President Bashar al-Assad and with Palestinian militant leaders based in Syria.Iran, Syria, UN should assist in Iraq settlement - Lavrov Interfax - Jan 19 4:01 AM
MOSCOW. Jan 19 (Interfax) - Iran, Syria and the UN should be involved in the Iraq settlement process, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.Lawmakers Skeptical of Talks With Iran and Syria New York Times - Jan 19 12:05 PM
Lee Hamilton, the co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group, faced skepticism from Congressional leaders today.Iraq wants Syria to hand over top Saddam aides Gulf Times - Jan 18 11:43 PM
DAMASCUS: Iraq will ask Syria to hand over senior Saddam Hussain aides suspected of stealing millions of dollars and helping the anti-US insurgency, Iraqi President Jalal al-Talabani said yesterday.EXCLUSIVE-Iraq seeks wanted Saddam's aides in Syria AlertNet - Jan 18 8:04 AM
Source: Reuters (Repeats to additional subscribers) By Khaled Yacoub Oweis DAMASCUS, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Iraq will ask Syria to hand over senior Saddam Hussein aides suspected of stealing millions of dollars and ... Kuwait tells U.S. to talk to Iran, Syria AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 17 9:49 AM
Kuwait's emir told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that Washington should talk to Syria and Iran to improve the situation in Iraq, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said Wednesday.SYRIA DEVELOPS MISSILE DETERRENCE Middle East Newsline - Jan 18 10:10 AM
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Syria has sought to develop strategic deterrence based on its arsenal of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. Officials said the U.S. intelligence community has determined that Syria has advanced in developing medium-range missiles and WMD warheads.Kuwait wants U.S. to talk to Syria, Iran on Iraq Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jan 17 9:09 AM
Kuwait has told U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that Washington needs to start a dialogue with Syria and Iran to help end violence in neighboring Iraq, her Kuwaiti counterpart said on Wednesday.Iraqi President Says Syria Backs Iraqi Stability Radio Free Europe: Radio Library - Jan 18 8:38 AM
January 18, 2007 -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani today said Syria was taking action to prevent foreign fighters from crossing the border into Iraq.Iraq plea to Syria on Saddam aides The Scotsman - Jan 18 4:21 PM
IRAQ will ask Syria to hand over senior aides of Saddam Hussein suspected of stealing millions of dollars and helping the anti-American insurgency, Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi president, said yesterday.Israel freezes settlement, releases money to Abbas ahead of his talks with Hamas USA Today - Jan 19 10:42 AM
Israel said Friday it had halted plans to build a new West Bank settlement and released frozen funds to Mahmoud Abbas, bolstering the moderate Palestinian president ahead of his talks in Syria with the supreme leader of the rival Hamas group.Abbas will not meet Hamas chief in Syria AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 17 4:16 AM
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will travel to Syria this week, but will not meet with the exiled leader of the rival Hamas movement there as first envisaged.ESET Distribution signs partners for Syria, Libya and Sudan Mena Report - Jan 18 5:08 AM
ESET Distribution Middle East, the regional business development center of ESET NOD32 Antivirus, today announced that it has signed three new distributors to promote its award-winning anti-virus software, ESET NOD32, in Libya, Syria and Sudan.US Attorney General comes under fire over Canadian detainee AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 6:36 AM
US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales came under fire during a hearing of the Senate judiciary committee over the deportation of Canadian Maher Arar to Syria, where he was jailed and tortured for more than a year.Iraqi, Syria discuss pipeline AME Info - Jan 18 12:08 AM
Iraqi and Syria may restore an old oil pipeline crossing Syrian territory and linking Iraq with the Mediterranean Sea, according to the Kuwait News Agency.US Attorney General comes under fire over Canadian detainee AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 18 11:55 PM
US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez came under fire during a hearing of the Senate judiciary committee over the deportation of Canadian Maher Arar to Syria, where he was jailed and tortured for more than a year.Kuwait tells US to talk to Iran, Syria IranMania.com - Jan 17 8:47 PM
LONDON, January 18 (IranMania) - Kuwait's emir told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that Washington should talk to Syria and Iran to improve the situation in Iraq, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said, The Associated Press reported.Israel releases money to Abbas NDTV - 5 minutes ago
Israel says it has halted plans to build a new West Bank settlement and released frozen funds to Mahmoud Abbas. The move is bolstering the moderate Palestinian president ahead of his talks in Syria with the supreme leader of the rival Hamas group.Kuwait Urges US To Involve Iran, Syria In Iraq Nasdaq - Jan 17 11:21 AM
(RTTNews) - Kuwaiti foreign minister said Wednesday that the oil rich country's emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, had suggested to the visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to hold talks with Iran and Syria to improve the current situation in Iraq, reported AP.Kuwait Tells U.S. to Talk to Iran, Syria San Francisco Chronicle - Jan 17 5:37 AM
Kuwait's emir told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that Washington should talk to Syria and Iran to improve the situation in Iraq, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said Wednesday. Sheik Mohammed Al Sabah told reporters that when Rice met Kuwait's emir,... Kuwait wants U.S. to talk to Syria, Iran on Iraq Reuters via Yahoo! Singapore News - Jan 17 9:35 AM
BERLIN (Reuters) - Kuwait has told U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that Washington needs to start a dialogue with Syria and Iran to help end violence in neighbouring Iraq, her Kuwaiti counterpart said on Wednesday.Hotlinks Tiscali - 2 hours, 25 minutes ago
With U.S. forces preparing a big push to avert civil war in Baghdad, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney urged Americans to have the "stomach" to see through a campaign with global ramifications and Iraq s president sought help from another U.S. foe, Syria.Syria-Kuwait ties brotherly, historic - minister The Daily Star Lebannon - Jan 19 1:02 AM
Visiting Syrian Minister of Industry Fouad Joni here Thursday underlined Syrian-Kuwaiti deep relations in all fields, particularly industrial and trade ones, as brotherly, historic and deep.Abbas to meet Hamas's Meshaal in Syria: officials Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jan 18 6:27 AM
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah will hold talks with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal on Saturday, a Palestinian legislator mediating in the factions' power struggle said.Kuwaiti Emir tells US it must talk to Iran and Syria over Iraq Gulf News - Jan 17 12:41 PM
Kuwait City: Kuwait's Emir told the US secretary of state that Washington should talk to Syria and Iran to improve the situation in Iraq, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said yesterday.Saudi Arabia: ALJ Achieves No. 1 Ranking for Sales of Toyota Vehicles Zawya - 26 minutes ago
20 January 2007 Jeddah: Abdul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd. (ALJ) has recently achieved the No.1 ranking for sales of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco and Syria. It has also doubled the number of new jobs created through its community service programs in the Kingdom in 2006.Kuwaiti Emir calls on US to hold talks with Iran, Syria over Iraq, Kuwaiti FM says Islamic Republic News Agency - Jan 17 9:31 AM
Kuwait - US - Iran Kuwaiti Emir told the US secretary of state that Washington should talk to Iran and Syria to improve the situation in Iraq, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said Wednesday.Syria calls for Iraq reconciliation and US troop exit AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 16 3:57 AM
Syria wants to help Iraqi reconciliation and see the withdrawal of US-led foreign troops, Foreign Minister Walid Muallem was quoted as saying during a landmark visit by Iraqi officials.Musharraf discusses Middle East situation with Ahmadinejad Business Recorder - Jan 19 3:40 PM
ISLAMABAD (January 20 2007): President General Musharraf made a telephonic call to his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday and informed him about his forthcoming visit to exchange views with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Jordan.Syria now Haaretz Daily - Jan 17 7:03 AM
Since the end of the second Lebanon war, Jerusalem has received a flood of messages from Damascus about Syria's desire to resume negotiations with Israel.US should talk to Iran, Syria over Iraq: Kuwait Khaleej Times - Jan 17 5:10 AM
KUWAIT CITY - Kuwait s emir told the US secretary of state that Washington should talk to Syria and Iran to improve the situation in Iraq, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said on Wednesday.(AFX UK Focus) 2007-01-17 16:40 GMT: US dismisses reports of Israel-Syria peace talks Interactive Investor - Jan 17 9:11 AM
WASHINGTON (AFX) - The White House denied media reports that Israel and Syria had reached an agreement for a peace treaty in secret unofficial talks held over the past two years.Kuwait: U.S. Should Talk To Iran, Syria On Iraq India Daily - Jan 17 8:18 AM
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah told U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the United States should open dialogue with Iran and Syria to improve the situation in Iraq, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed al-Sabah said Jan. 17. The two met Jan. 16 on the sidelines of a summit of the foreign ministers the six Gulf Cooperation Council states, Jordan and Egypt to discuss ...Israeli, Syrian Representatives Reach Secret Understandings YaleGlobal Online - Jan 19 7:35 AM
Despite adamant denials from top officials in Syria and Israel, the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" reports that an unofficial series of meetings set the groundwork for a peace agreement between the two nations from 2004 to July 2006, with the last meeting held just after Israel s invasion of Lebanon.Amnesty blasts Norwegian authorities Aftenposten - Jan 19 8:13 AM
Norwegian diplomats were scrambling to investigate claims that a man expelled from Norway was now imprisoned and possibly being tortured in Syria.Noor builds $1.5bn refinery in Syria AME Info - Jan 17 2:08 AM
Kuwait-based Noor Financial Investment Company will start building a new $1.5bn oil refinery in Syria before the end of 2007, according to The Syria Report, which is carried on AME Info. The 140,000 bpd refinery will be the first in Syria to be developed by private investors.After Rice's tour, Arabs are cool to Bush's Iraqi plan USA Today - Jan 18 6:36 AM
Arab leaders were deeply skeptical of the U.S. plan for Iraq, a day after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tried to sell it to them. Kuwait's emir told Rice that America should work with Iran and Syria, officials said something U.S. President George W. Bush has rejected.US Lawmakers Press Bush Administration Officials on Iran Payvand Iran News - Jan 19 7:59 AM
The Bush administration is coming under increasing pressure from members of Congress regarding any possible moves against Iran because of its role in Iraq. VOA's Dan Robinson reports, concerns intensified after the president's speech last week in which he said U.S troops will be moving to interrupt support from Iran and Syria for insurgents in Iraq. -VOAU.S. report on Arar case expected next week Canada.com - Jan 19 5:23 AM
x WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democrats on Thursday threatened congressional hearings into the Maher Arar affair, calling the deportation of the Canadian engineer to Syria a ''black mark'' on America.Israel, Syria reach understandings AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 15 10:26 PM
Israel and Syria have reached understandings on a future peace deal between the two countries following a series of secret talks between its representatives, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported Tuesday.Report: Israel, Syria Held Informal Talks The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles - Jan 18 2:02 PM
Israelis and Syrians reportedly held unofficial negotiations recently on a potential peace accord.Abbas set to meet Mishal in Syria: MP Gulf Times - Jan 18 11:44 PM
RAMALLAH: A Palestinian lawmaker said yesterday that President Mahmoud Abbas would meet Hamas political supremo Khalid Mishal this weekend in Damascus, but the talks could not be confirmed.US Attorney General comes under fire over Canadian detainee The Nation - Jan 19 1:13 AM
Washington - US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez came under fire Thursday during a hearing of the Senate judiciary committee over the deportation of Canadian Maher Arar to Syria, where he was jailed and tortured for more than a year.Israel and Syria 'have held talks on peace' Daily Telegraph - Jan 16 6:57 PM
Representatives of Israel and Syria have held secret land-for-peace negotiations over the last two years, it was reported yesterday.Ancient weapons found in ruins in Syria USA Today - Jan 17 7:18 AM
It was the ancient version of a last stand: Twelve clay bullets lined up and ready to be shot from slings in a desperate attempt to stop fierce invaders who soon would reduce much of the city to rubble. In digs conducted this past fall, researchers uncovered new evidence of the city's end.An Enigmatic Wild Card in Lebanon?s High-Stakes Politics New York Times - Jan 19 6:05 PM
In this land of divisive politics and sectarian tension, few have embraced controversy quite like Christian leader Gen. Michel Aoun.Syria offers help in reconciliation Gulf Times - Jan 16 10:33 PM
DAMASCUS: Syria wants to help Iraqi reconciliation and see the withdrawal of US-led foreign troops, Foreign Minister Walid Muallem was quoted as saying yesterday during a landmark visit by Iraqi officials.Iraq-Syria pipeline talks increase EARTHtimes.org - Jan 18 10:24 AM
Iraqi and Syrian officials are in talks to reopen an oil pipeline sending Iraqi crude west to the Mediterranean Sea, though it could face Sunni attacks.Israel Releases $100 Million Withheld From Palestinians New York Times - Jan 19 6:20 PM
Israel transferred $100 million in Palestinian tax revenues to the office of Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas.SLeader envoy: US military invasion on Iran not likely Islamic Republic News Agency - Jan 19 1:06 AM
Iran - US - Hosseini Supreme Leader's representative in Syria Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini here on Thursday ruled out possibility of the US military strike on Iran.Israel knew of secret peace talks with Syria, say officials Independent - Jan 16 4:12 PM
Israeli officials have confirmed that the Foreign Ministry knew about a series of peace talks that have taken place in Europe between Syrians and an Israeli team headed by a former senior diplomat. The teams discussed Israel handing back the Golan Heights, which it has occupied since the Six Day War in 1967, to Syria under a formula providing for President Bashar Assad to stop giving support to ...Signs of an ancient clash unearthed in Syria International Herald Tribune - Jan 17 7:49 AM
One of the world's earliest cities met its end by fire and in a rain of clay bullets, archaeologists have discovered.Iraq wants Saddam aides News 24 South Africa - Jan 18 11:24 PM
Iraq's government says it will ask Syria to hand over senior Saddam Hussein aides suspected of stealing millions of dollars and helping the anti-US insurgency.Lebanon opposition to call general strike Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 2:28 PM
Lebanon's opposition will call a general strike next week, stepping up a campaign to topple the government, a senior opposition political source said on Friday.Israel and Syria had reached an 'understanding' on peace deal New Kerala - Jan 16 8:12 PM
Jerusalem, Jan 16: Israel and Syria had secretly reached an "understanding" for a peace deal before war erupted in Lebanon last year.LEBANON Italians teaching Lebanese kids how to avoid bombs, but AsiaNews.it - Jan 19 5:41 AM
Using role play, songs and cartoons, Italian peacekeepers are teaching Lebanese children to recognise and avoid the one million or so unexploded bombs in the streets and fields of Lebanon. But Italy is also one of Lebanon s, and Syria s, major arms suppliers.Duma seeks Iran, Syria partnership over ME IranMania.com - Jan 16 8:58 PM
LONDON, January 17 (IranMania) - Chairman of the Russian Council of Federation's committee on international affairs said that US objection to Iran and Syria partnership in solving the Middle East crisis would result in complicating and prolonging the process, IRNA reported.Syria and Iraq to Boost Economic and Trade Cooperation Zawya - Jan 16 10:19 PM
16 January 2007 DAMASCUS - Iraqi Minister of Trade Abdullfalah al-Sudani voiced on Tuesday his country's desire to develop relations with Syria in all domains, indicating that the signed agreement between the two countries "constitute a good base for these relations."Iran reportedly set for talks with U.S. AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 2:41 PM
President Jalal Talabani said in remarks published Friday that the Iranians were ready to meet with the U.S. for talks about security issues part of an apparent effort by Talabani to encourage a dialogue between two nations that are increasingly at odds, and vital to Iraq.Syria denies report of contacts with Israel People's Daily - Jan 16 4:25 PM
Syria denied on Tuesday an Israeli media report that it has contacted Israel for peace understandings, the official SANA news agency reported.Bush to be briefed on Middle East BBC News - 16 minutes ago
President George W Bush is to be briefed on the Mid-East trips of his secretary of state and defence chief.Israel and Syria 'held Golan talks' Turks.US - Jan 16 6:31 PM
Uofficial negotiations between Syria and Israel took place between 2004 and 2006, producing agreements that both sides hoped could act as a framework for a future peace deal, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz.Israeli officials: No document of understanding reached with Syria Haaretz Daily - Jan 18 2:05 AM
Israeli political sources denied reports yesterday that an Israeli-Syrian document of understanding, formulated by Dr. Alon Liel, former director general of the Foreign Ministry, and the Syrian-American Ibrahim Suleiman, was presented to persons in the office of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.Pakistan's Musharraf to visit five Arab countries AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 8:27 AM
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is to visit five Middle East countries to discuss the regional situation.U.S. 'knew damn well' Arar would be tortured: senator CBC - Jan 18 2:34 PM
After withering criticism in a Senate hearing, the U.S. attorney general promised more details on the case of Maher Arar, a Canadian who ended up in a cell in Syria.US firm on nuclear condition for Iran talks AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 11:28 AM
The United States stuck by its demand that Iran freeze sensitive nuclear activity before any bilateral talks, after Iraq's president said Tehran was ready to discuss several key disputes.Dems seek to bar U.S. attacks on Iran AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 10:44 AM
Democratic leaders in Congress lobbed a warning shot Friday at the White House not to launch an attack against Iran without first seeking approval from lawmakers.Israel denies 'secret deal' with Syria Times Online - Jan 16 8:08 AM
Israel has denied reports that understandings have been reached with Syria after two years of secret peace talks.US dismisses Israel-Syria talks report AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 17 10:27 AM
The White House denied media reports that Israelis and Syrians reached understandings for a peace treaty in secret unofficial talks over the past two years.Israel, Syria Deny Report of Unofficial Peace Plan Draft Crosswalk.com - Jan 16 6:13 AM
Jerusalem (CNSNews.com) - Both Israel and Syria are denying a report that they have engaged in secret meetings over the last few years, resulting in an unofficial draft of a peace plan.White House Hopeful Biden Bets on Being a Global Expert CQPolitics.com via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 10:57 AM
By Jonathan Broder, CQ Staff The following story is adapted from an article published in the Jan. 15 issue of CQWeekly. When Joseph R. Biden Jr. first came to the Senate in January 1973, the consuming issue of the day was the Vietnam War, and its most influential opponent was the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, J. William Fulbright.Dems Warn Against Iran Attack Time Magazine - Jan 19 10:21 AM
Democratic leaders in Congress lobbed a warning shot Friday at the White House not to launch an attack against Iran without first seeking legislative approval Bush's new Iraq strategy gets lukewarm response from Arabs Borneo Bulletin - Jan 18 10:24 PM
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Arab leaders were deeply sceptical of the US plan for Iraq, a day after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tried to sell it to them. Kuwait's emir told Rice that America should work with Iran and Syria, officials said - something US President George W Bush has rejected.Israel transfers frozen Palestinian funds to Abbas AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 10:41 AM
Israel has handed more than 100 million dollars in frozen funds to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority in an effort to bolster president Mahmud Abbas, locked in a power struggle with the ruling Hamas movement.Lebanon divided on presidential hopeful Michel Aoun International Herald Tribune - Jan 19 2:41 PM
The Christian leader is unfazed by accusations that he helped Hezbollah and embraced a populist agenda for personal gain.Iraq seeks closer ties with Syria NDTV - Jan 17 7:41 PM
Visiting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani held talks with Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari in Damascus on Wednesday. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, al-Otari said measures had been put in place to facilitate future agreements between the two countries.Abbas to meet Hamas's Meshaal in Syria -officials AlertNet - Jan 18 6:30 AM
Source: Reuters RAMALLAH, West Bank, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah will hold talks with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal on Saturday, a Palestinian legislator mediating in the factions' ... U.S. 'knew damn well' Arar would be tortured: senator CBC via Yahoo! Canada News - Jan 18 11:17 AM
After sitting through withering criticism in a Senate hearing, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has promised more information on the case of Maher Arar, a Canadian who ended up in a cell in Syria after U.S. officials grabbed him on a stopover in New York.Syria Plans to Offer Oil E&P to US, UK, Canadian Companies Rigzone - Jan 16 8:02 AM
Syria is preparing to offer new offshore and onshore blocks to international oil companies, including American, Canadian and British firms, an official said Tuesday.Rice Highlights Opportunities After Setbacks On Mideast Trip Washington Post - Jan 19 6:46 AM
LONDON, Jan. 18 -- As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew to Europe on Wednesday after four days of talks in the Middle East, her Boeing 757 jet passed high over Baghdad. On a cloudless day at 37,000 feet, the city seemed sparkling and calm; the U.S. military presence and the sectarian violence... Ancient weapons found in ruins in Syria AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 16 7:12 PM
It was the ancient version of a last stand: Twelve clay bullets lined up and ready to be shot from slings in a desperate attempt to stop fierce invaders who soon would reduce much of the city to rubble.Israel Transfers $100 Million to Abbas New York Times - Jan 19 7:05 AM
The transfer was part of a plan to bolster him and keep money out of the hands of the Hamas government, officials said today.Gates visits Iraq as US troops seize Sadr aide AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 7:01 AM
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has paid a brief visit to Iraq to discuss the fight against sectarian violence amid efforts to downplay signs of a rift between Baghdad and Washington.Betting on Being a Global Expert CQPolitics.com via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 6:58 AM
When Joseph R. Biden Jr. first came to the Senate in January 1973, the consuming issue of the day was the Vietnam War, and its most influential opponent was the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, J. William Fulbright.New Palestinian gov't line-up likely to be announced in Cairo: Report People's Daily - Jan 18 4:18 PM
A prominent Palestinian leader in the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) Mohamed al-Hendi said Thursday that the line-up of a long-awaited Palestinian national unity government would probably be announced in Cairo next week, following Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' scheduled visit to Syria this weekend, Egypt's official news agency MENA reported.Escalation in the Middle East The Victoria Advocate - Jan 18 1:29 PM
While the president s announcement that an additional 20,000 troops would be sent to Iraq dominated the headlines last week, the real story was the president s sharp rhetoric towards Iran and Syria.Secret understandings reached between representatives from Israel and Syria Haaretz Daily - Jan 16 11:03 AM
In a series of secret meetings in Europe between September 2004 and July 2006, Syrians and Israelis formulated understandings for a peace agreement between Israel and Syria.Bush, Olmert and Abbas, all hobbled leaders, plan peace talks International Herald Tribune - Jan 19 10:42 AM
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to fly home Friday, after a quick trip across the Middle East and Europe, with just enough progress to shield herself from criticism that the trip was a bust.Arabs are cool to Bush's Iraq plan AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 17 1:28 PM
Arab leaders were deeply skeptical Wednesday of the U.S. plan for Iraq, a day after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tried to sell it to them. Kuwait's emir told Rice that America should work with Iran and Syria, officials said a move President Bush has rejected.Israel unfreezes $100M before summit AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 6:16 AM
Israel said Friday it had paid $100 million in frozen tax funds to the Palestinians and rescinded a contentious decision for a new West Bank settlement, strengthening the hand of moderate President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of crucial weekend talks in Damascus with his Hamas rivals.PM: No government officials involved in secret Syria talks Haaretz Daily - Jan 16 11:03 AM
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday that no government officials were involved in secret contacts with Syria, responding to a Haaretz report that understandings on a peace agreement between Jerusalem and Damascus were formulated in a series of secret meetings in Europe between September 2004 and July 2006.Israel denies secret deal with Syria The Age - Jan 16 5:51 AM
Senior Israeli officials are pouring cold water on reports that a secret peace deal was reached with Syria.Israel, Syria sought peace via secret talks, says report Albuquerque Tribune - Jan 16 11:09 AM
The report in the daily Haaretz said the two sides reached a series of understandings that included a full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights - captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war - and an end to Syrian support for anti-Israel militant groups.Syria: Abbas, Meshaal To Meet In Damascus India Daily - Jan 18 8:19 AM
Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas will travel to the Syrian capital of Damascus on Jan. 20 for talks with Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal, PNA mediator Ziyad Abu Amr said Jan. 18.What lies behind Talabani's visit to Damascus? Gulf News - Jan 18 2:15 PM
For the first time in almost three decades an Iraqi head of state visited Syria. Iraq's President Jalal Talabani arrived last week in Damascus where he was received by his Syrian counterpart Bashar Al Assad.Israel releases $100 million to Abbas AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 19 4:12 AM
Israel freed $100 million in frozen tax funds and transferred the money to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, an official in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said Friday.TEXT-Q&A with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani AlertNet - Jan 18 8:47 AM
Source: Reuters DAMASCUS, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Iraqi leader Jalal Talabani told Reuters on Thursday that Iraq will ask Syria to hand over senior Saddam Hussein aides suspected of stealing millions of dollars and ... Israel releases withheld tax funds to Abbas's office International Herald Tribune - Jan 19 9:41 AM
The $100 million transfer is part of a plan to bolster the Palestinian president and keep money out of the hands of the Hamas government.