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While there is a broad range of Arabic language media outlets reporting stories from and about the Middle East, there is currently no affordable and reliable means for English speakers to gain access to this content. As a result, many English speaking businesspersons, students, journalists and others who have an interest in the affairs of the region are largely unaware of what the Middle East media is covering and how they are covering these stories.

Mideastwire.com aims to close this gap by offering a daily menu of translations covering some of the key political, cultural, economic and opinion pieces appearing in the media of the 22 Arab countries and the Arab Diaspora. Through this effort, we hope to address at least one aspect of a global disconnect that continues to threaten a wide spectrum of socio-political and economic relationships, both here in the region and beyond.

It is also important to note that, since our founding in 2005, Mideastwire.com is wholly funded by the content license fees paid by individuals and organizations. As such, there is no government, commercial or non-profit support, an aspect that we believe provides a relatively independent platform for better understanding.

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TODAY’S DAILY BRIEFING

14-Apr-2016

Algeria

Politics

"Manuel Valls regarding the denial of entry visa for French journalists: letters arrived" (El-Khabar, Algeria)

Media - USA Europe

On April 11, the daily El-Khabar reported: "Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal said that the "campaign which targeted the presidential institution and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika by the French Le Monde newspaper could create some kind of hatred because it was an attack on a symbol of the state". Sellal defended his "decision" to refuse entry visa to a Le Monde journalist to accompany French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on his visit to Algeria, saying: "The decision was against the newspaper not journalists. Algeria respects the freedom of expression and it is currently one of the few countries which protect it constitutionally." Sellal chose a joint news conference with his French counterpart, Manuel Valls, to answer a question by a French journalist on the reasons for the authorities not to retract the refusal to grant entry visa to a Le Monde journalist by referring to the Algerian state's stance on the freedom of expression and journalism. He said: "At least you (addressing the journalist who asked the question) should respect your fellow journalists who have come to cover the news conference; there are 86 journalists without counting the number of photographers."… (Read More)

On settling with political prisoners (El-Khabar, Algeria)

Human Rights

On April 10, the daily El-Khabar reported: "The so-called Coordination of Political Prisoners has shamed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for "destroying hopes for the realization of a just national reconciliation", and described the opposition as "feeble". The coordination said that the political prisoners' file has become part of the president's jurisdiction after it was taken out of the hands of the intelligence service and that the president must declare the fate of the group which was not included in the National Reconciliation Charter. In a statement released yesterday, the coordination said that the president had "destroyed hope for the realization of a just national reconciliation and went back on promises to realize real political reforms, and the opposition which was expected to come up with something new has not lived up to the level of the people's aspirations and their historical sacrifices over the phases of liberation." In the statement which bore a political tone, the coordination said: "The president must clearly disclose the truth about what is going on in the country in a clear political message in which he has to take responsibility before everyone and make the necessary decisions to get the country out of the dark tunnel."… (Read More)

“Algeria: Renewed controversy over Bouteflika’s health following French premier’s visit” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Media - USA Europe

On April 14, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following report by its correspondent in Algiers Kamal Zayet: “As expected, the picture of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, which was posted by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls in a tweet upon his return from Algiers, led to the resurfacing of the controversy surrounding the Algerian president’s health, especially since he appeared tired in the picture, to which others were added on the satirical show Le Petit Journal, which airs on the French Canal + channel. Hence, since last Sunday, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s health has been the only topic of conversation among the Algerians, especially after Manuel Valls’ tweet and the president’s inappropriate picture, which he chose to post on his Twitter account, in addition to the ones carried by Le Petit Journal… (Read More)

Iran

Opinion

"Limits of defending BARJAM" - Editorial says US violating nuclear deal (Siyasat-e Ruz, Iran)

United Nations - USA Europe

On April 4, an editorial by Mohammad Safari in the conservative Siyasat-e Ruz said: "With all due respect to members of the nuclear team, and while thanking them for making many attempts over the past two or so years to resolve Iran's nuclear dispute, the conclusion of the nuclear dispute - that was followed by the United States building cases - has been implemented unilaterally and we are still witnessing that the United States and the West are obstructing the fulfilment of commitments by the other side. Now a very important, key and basic question being raised by our country's experts and people is that, after the nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 and the subsequent agreement, were the sanctions imposed on our country not supposed to be lifted in return for the concessions Iran has offered? Supporting the nuclear agreement within the framework of the national interests and security is obligatory for everyone. But if - considering the United States' behaviour and strategies against the Islamic Republic - the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is supposed to threaten our country's national security, will it still be obligatory to defend and support it? Are there no limits for supporting and defending the nuclear agreement?… (Read More)

"A Regime Which Lacks Human Dignity" - On the USA (Siyasat-e Ruz, Iran)

USA Europe

On April 9, an editorial by Mohammad Safari in the conservative daily Siyasat-e Ruz said: "The nature of the Satan is absolute evil. This creature of God has been created to deceive human beings. When man was created, Satan did not respect him and refused to prostrate before God's creature. His supposed respect and prostration before mankind would have been in fact a respect and prostration before the creature made by the Unique Creator. Thus, since the time of mankind's creation, Satan has nothing to do but deceive and deviate from human beings. Satan injects his own nature into those humans who have the potential, making them follow his orders. Even though Satan's nature is absolute evil, his essence is not infinite and eternal, and he will be punished for his deeds when the time comes. The only absolute is the Creator of the world. He is unique and is second to none. Based on what has been said, which one of these two should human beings trust? Shall he surrender to Satan and obey whatever he says? Or shall he completely surrender to his God and serve Him? Don't get it wrong. The topic of this piece is not about philosophy or religion. It was just an introduction to reach this point that whether - based on wisdom, logics, religion, and all things which are related to divine and human characteristics - it is difficult or easy to distinguish between satanic and divine action and behaviour… (Read More)

Politics

"...Method of Extending Ruhani's Administration" (E'temad, Iran)

Democracy and Party Politics

On April 7, the reformist daily E'temad reported: "Sadeq Zibakalam, a university lecturer of political science, is a political analyst whose opinions about political and social events are popular among the public, regardless of their accuracy or rationale. Among Iranian politicians, he considers his views closest to the viewpoints and mindset of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, and naturally he is among the adamant supporters of the President. From this perspective, and considering the domestic and international situation, in an interview with Fararu, he has analysed the future of Rouhani's administration. Zibakalam believes that persistence of the current economic climate and failure to make a noticeable improvement in the economy of the country and livelihood of the people are Ruhani's only obstacles for winning the election against any rival. He also believes that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can count on 10 million votes and that he is th! e only person who can challenge Rouhani. Overall, Mr Rouhani is not facing any major problem in foreign policies, and the foreign policy has been his government's strong point. In this regard, the following developments can be mentioned: de-escalating tensions with the West and even with the US; advances made in the region, such as in confrontation with Daesh the fact that as a result of cooperation with other countries, ISIL has been pushed back on the defensive and its advances have been halted. Bashar al-Assad's position also seems to have been sustained… (Read More)

Jordan

Politics

“Sudden escalation in Jordan: Closing of MB headquarters prior to elections…” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

On April 14, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following report by its Amman Office Chief Bassam Bdareen: “The Jordanian authorities determined the legal context of their battle with the Muslim Brotherhood mother group at a surprising time, thus announcing the closing of its main headquarters in the capital Amman and the ousting of the employees in it, on grounds that the group is “unlicensed.” The decision was implemented by the police upon a direct order from the administrative governor, only a few hours after prominent leader in the organization Sheikh Zaki Bani Irsheid spoke about avoiding escalation with the government and the authorities, and pointed to the non-existence of arrangements to seal a deal with the regime for the general elections. The authorities’ decision will tilt the balance in favor of the boycotting of the elections within the MB organization, at a time when the government is asking it to work under the banner of the Islamic Action Front Party solely… (Read More)

Lebanon

Politics

On the situation in Ain el-Helweh (Ad-Diyyar, Lebanon)

Terrorism - Unrest

On April 14, Fadi Eid wrote the following report in Ad-Diyyar daily: “The assassination of the Fatah official at the Miyyeh w Miyyeh Camp, Fathi Zeidan, drew several question marks on the expansion of the security tension beyond the map of the Palestinian camps in the region… According to Palestinian sources, there is now an urgent need to quickly uncover all the threats of this terrorist act in order to prevent any expansion outside the Ain el-Helweh camp, which is still plunged in the series of security chaos since last summer… (Read More)

“Two officials in Fatah: Investigations into Zaidan’s assassination ongoing...” (Website, Middle East)

Terrorism

On April 13, the official Turkish Anadolu News Agency carried the following report by its correspondent in Beirut Hamza Tekin: “Two officials in the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) said on Wednesday morning that the investigations into the assassination of leader in the movement in Lebanon Fathi Zaidan were ongoing, in coordination between the Lebanese security bodies and a special Palestinian investigative committee. Leader in Fatah Fathi Zaidan had been assassinated on Tuesday, when his car was detonated by a bomb that had been planted in it earlier. The explosion occurred at the entrance of the Palestinian refugee Ain el-Helweh camp in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, and no side claimed responsibility for the incident… (Read More)

“Bkirki to the Gulf: Hezbollah does not represent the Christians!” (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Arab Diplomacy - Religion

On April 13, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: “The ambassadors of the countries represented in Lebanon usually visit the Patriarchal edifice; but recently, a new group booked itself a place in the meetings of the Maronite Patriarch, Bechara Boutros al-Rahi. The ambassadors of the GCC used to attend to Bkirki either individually or as part of Arab diplomatic delegations. However, the Maronite reference is receiving, for the first time, the GCC’s ambassadors as one group to discuss the latest developments… (Read More)

Libya

Politics

“Tobruk to join the “Accord” soon?” (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Democracy and Party Politics

On April 14, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: “The city of Tobruk in eastern Libya is living to the rhythm of a meeting that, according to several sources, was held in Cairo two days ago between Speaker Aguila Saleh, and his deputies on the one hand and the head of the Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Sarraj on the other hand. Although Aguila Saleh denied having met with Al-Sarraj, the backstage of the meetings seen at the Egyptian capital between the Libyan parties and some Egyptian and Arab officials indicate a beginning of “the ice thawing” in addition to grabbing the threats of “accord” in points of view… (Read More)

Middle East

Politics

“...Madani to Okaz: Looking forward to ending disputes and confronting challenges” (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)

Religion - Terrorism

On April 14, the pro-monarchy Okaz newspaper carried the following interview with Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Iyad Madani, by its correspondent in Istanbul Fahim Hamed… (Read More)

Palestine

Politics

"Popular Fronts hints at Iranian support..." (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Arab Diplomacy

On April 14, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: “…The decision was taken to discontinue the allocations of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine through a verbal notification on the part of the Authority’s head, Mahmoud Abbas, to the director of the PLO-affiliated Palestinian National Fund whereby he ordered the discontinuation of the Popular Front’s allocations for the past two months. This is not the first time that Abbas uses money as a thick stick against his adversaries in and outside the Fatah movement… According to the Popular Front, the decision to halt the financial allocations obtained by the organization’s factions has been taken at several instances. However, Abbas would then change his mind after a “change of behavior” [among the factions]… (Read More)

Syria

Opinion

“Al-Assad: From one masquerade to another” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Democracy and Party Politics

On April 14, the Qatari Al-Watan newspaper carried the following lead editorial: “The least that could be said about the elections currently taking place in Syria is that they are a masquerade. Al-Assad, who is currently controlling just one third of Syria using violence, atrocities and intimidation, wants to convince himself – before convincing the world – that he owns a country and people with a will, an opinion, and a freedom to choose and vote. All the free of the world have had their say about these hilarious elections, but as usual, the allies of the regime of murder and atrocities perceived it as a constitutional entitlement, guaranteeing the continuation of the work of the state institutions. But what constitution, entitlement and continuation of the work of the state institutions are they talking about? Where is the state in the first place?… (Read More)

Politics

“Nusra Front proclaims general mobilization after killing of an element by Ahrar ash-Sham...” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Terrorism - Unrest

On April 14, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following report by its correspondent in Istanbul Abdullah al-Omari: “A source in the Syrian opposition said in exclusive statements to Al-Quds al-Arabi that the “assassination of Abu Sakkar, one of the most prominent military men in An-Nusra Front, by elements affiliated with the Ahrar ash-Sham Movement in the city of Harem in Rif Adlib, had led to the eruption of fierce disputes between the Movement and the Front, but also within the Movement itself.” The source revealed that the assassination took place “after the victim was chased while crossing a checkpoint,” believing it “fell in the context of a series of provocations against An-Nusra Front by a wing within the Ahrar ash-Sham Movement, to get it to accept the political solution or fight.” He continued: “There is a wing in the Movement which believes that An-Nusra Front’s presence on the Syrian arena is obstructing the political solution… (Read More)

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