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Tuesday 21 February 2006 |
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MIDDLE EAST: Weekly round-up Number 47 for 4-10 November 2005[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]CONTENTS: EGYPT: Parliamentary elections begin amid cautious hopes for change The first round of Egyptian parliamentary elections kicked off on Wednesday, with polling stations opening to voters in eight governorates. Coming in the wake of the country’s first-ever multi-candidate presidential elections, held in September, observers are calling the parliamentary contest one of the most important political races in recent history. Full report EGYPT: Kofi Annan, in Cairo, discusses regional stability UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Cairo on Monday as part of a four-nation tour of the Middle East and North Africa to discuss regional stability. Full report EGYPT: Female contenders for parliament demand greater representation Female candidates in Egypt’s upcoming legislative elections should be given as much say in their country’s political affairs – and as much coverage in the media – as their male counterparts, women parliamentary hopefuls said on Monday. Full report EGYPT: Media coverage of election biased, experts say As the first of three rounds of voting in Egypt’s parliamentary election got underway on Wednesday, media coverage has been biased in favour of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), human rights experts said. Full report IRAQ: Urgent assistance needed for al-Qaim displaced, aid workers say Thousands of displaced people from the towns of al-Qaim and Husaybah who have taken refuge in other parts of the western Anbar governorate are living in desperate conditions and in urgent need of assistance, relief workers said on Wednesday. US-led forces launched a major offensive - dubbed Operation Steel Curtain - in Husaybah on 5 November in response to alleged "terrorist" activity along Iraq's border with western neighbour, Syria. Earlier, on 31 October, they had carried out air strikes on al-Qaim. Full report IRAQ: More than 200 parties register for parliamentary elections Some 228 coalitions and political entities have registered to participate in Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for 15 December, the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq has announced Full report IRAQ: Dozens dead, thousands displaced in west, doctors say Dozens of civilians were killed and injured on Saturday when US-led forces launched an offensive on the western Iraqi town of Husaybah, according to local doctors Full report IRAQ: Primary school nutrition programme to broaden reach In an effort to reduce malnutrition among children, more Iraqi primary schools students will be included in the Nutrition Schools Programme (NSP) in the 2005/2006 academic year, say officials at the ministries of health and education. Full report IRAQ: Japan debt write-off to boost reconstruction efforts The Japanese government has agreed to write off 80 percent of the debt it is owed by Iraq, a move that will give the local reconstruction effort a much needed boost, government officials said on Tuesday. Full report IRAQ: Ministry moves to curb abuse in schools Eight-year-old Mohammed Ali from Baghdad refused to go back to school this year because he says he was abused and insulted by his teachers. Full report IRAQ: Braving threats, shrinking handful of professionals stay in country Ali Bashir, a lecturer at Iraq’s Baghdad University, has received four threats since the beginning of the year telling him to quit his job and leave the country. Full report JORDAN: Aid agencies serving Iraq remain vigilant following bombings Aid agencies operating from the Jordanian, capital, Amman, that serve Iraq said they will remain vigilant and are in the process of discussing whether further security measures are needed following Wednesday’s bombs attacks. Full report SYRIA: Activists welcome prisoner releases The recent release of 190 political prisoners in Syriawas lauded by local human rights activists and lawyers, although they say the government must put an end to the country’s 42-year-old emergency law and its wide use of security courts. Full report YEMEN: Despite progress, more funds needed for mine clearance Yemen will be declared landmine-free in time for a March 2009 deadline, but only if the country’s Mine Action Centre (MAC) receives enough support to implement its second five-year plan, the MAC chairman said on Monday. Full report [ENDS]
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