Welcome to Kafir: Wednesday, October 12, 2005

American and Briton kidnapped in Gaza

An American and a Briton have become the latest foreign journalists to be kidnapped by gunmen in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials and witnesses said.

The two men were abducted on Wednesday while on the streets of the volatile southern city of Khan Yunis, said Interior Ministry Spokesman Tawfiq Abu Khussa.

The pair were then bundled into a car before being driven away at high speed to an unknown location, witnesses said.

Security sources said intensive negotiations were under way to secure the release of the pair and expressed hope that they would be freed shortly, without giving further details.

There have been a series of kidnappings of foreign journalists and aid workers in Gaza in recent weeks, although all of the hostages have been released unharmed.

AFP/AJ

Bahraini MPs call to re-open Israeli Boycott Office

Bahraini MPs on Tuesday voted for new laws banning any ties with Israel. They also demanded the re-opening of the Israeli Boycott Office, to block imports of Israeli goods.

According to the GDN, there were outbursts during the session, despite assurances by Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa that there was no move to normalise relations with Israel.

Shaikh Khalid was summoned to parliament after 15 MPs signed a demand that the government explain the closure of the boycott office.

All the MPs present backed a demand that the government draft a law banning Bahraini firms from dealing and co-operating with Israel.

The MPs called on the Cabinet to reactivate the 1963 law against normalisation of relations with Israel and the re-opening of the boycott office. MPs also demanded a clear obligation from Bahraini authorities to respect Arab and GCC agreements in relation to Israel.

The debate on Israel came after Bahrain negotiated a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US, which calls for lifting all forms of boycotts. Speaking to MPs, Shaikh Khalid said the closure of the boycott office was key to securing the FTA. "The issue about the office's role was raised by the US Congress and we had to act accordingly, or else the government would lose the agreement," he said.

"The boycott will continue with or without the office, through the sincerity and devotion of the people."

AB

Ayman Al Zawahiri criticizes violence

A letter written by Al Qaeda’s second in command has critiziced the use of excessive violence against Iraq’s Shiite majority and Al Qaeda captives as a means to further the organization’s goals. The letter, written by Ayman Al Zawahiri, was made public by US intelligence services on Tuesday.

Zawahiri wrote the letter to Al Qaeda’s leader in Iraq, Abu Musad Al Zarqawi, saying that the tactics applied in Iraq were counterproductive and unacceptable to most Muslims.

Zawahiri also condemns Zaraqawi for the public killing of hostages in the letter, and argues for a balance of attacks with political efforts to gain the support needed to establish an Islamic government body in Iraq following the withdrawal of foreign troops.

Though Zawahiri is critical of Shiites for their cooperation with the US, he notes that more than 100 Al Qaeda fighters are themselves Shiite, and that such acts also provoke the response of Iran at a time when the US enemy is targeting both Al Qaeda and Iran.

He also questions attacks against mosques, and says, “Many of your Muslim admirers amongst the common folk are wondering about your attacks on the Shia.”

Suicide bombers kill 1

Two suicide car bombs exploded in Baghdad today killing one soldier and injuring 19. One suicide car bombing occured in western Baghdad in the Bakriyah region.
As people rushed to the scene to help the injured, a roadside bomb went off wounding another three.

Earlier in the day, a convoy of Iraq’s minister of provincial affairs was attacked by a car bomb as well, wounding four of his bodyguards. The minister, Saad Naif Al-Hardan, was not at the scene as the attack took place, as the convoy was en route to him at the time of the attack. Iraqi police believe that those responsible for the attack most likely were targeting Al Hardan, thinking that he was in the convoy.

AB

Ghazi Kana'an commits suicide

Syria's Minister of Interior Gen. Ghazi Kana'an died in his office after committing suicide. "The authorities concerned have been conducting investigations into the incident," SANA reported.

Kana'an , the ex-security chief of Syria in Lebanon, was one of 13 senior Syrian officials, who were investigated by German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis in connection to the murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri earlier this year.

Hours before he died, Kanaan contacted the Beirut Voice of Lebanon radio station and dlivered a statement, concluding with the words: "I believe this is the last statement that I could make." He asked seasoned interviewer 'Wardeh' to pass his comments to other broadcast media.