Iraq counts votes from first polls since US exit

This past week, the Iraqi government held its first election since the departure of US troops.  This election is an important test of the stability of the Iraqi government.  There has been some violence surrounding the election- three citizens were killed on election day, 14 candidates died prior to the election (which brought the credibility of the elections into question) as well as other organized attacks. Also, a third of Iraq's provinces did not participate in the election because of security concerns and political disputes.  These provinces were all predominantly Sunni Arab or Kurdish.  According to Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission, about 51 percent of the eligible population participated in the election.  Security was intense for the election but organized attacks still occurred but were minimized.  THe election was for the provincial councils.  These councils are responsible for naming governors to lead local reconstruction, administration and fiances, etc.  The election of these councils are considered a gauge of the current Prime Minister's popularity for next year's general election.

I found this article interesting because it demonstrates the turmoil Iraq is still experiencing, despite US as well as other states' and organizations involvement.  The turmoil Iraq experiences concerning elections demonstrates the increase need of the League involvement in handling their own regional crises.  Fair and just elections should be guaranteed for all and for Iraq to experience any sort of progress this dream needs to be realized.

Investigation of Libyan Funding in France

An investigation has begun into whether Nicolas Sarkozy (former President of France) received illegal funds from Libya during Muammar Gaddafi's regime. Sarkozy is facing multiple different claims related to this, but the only "evidence" so far seems to be allegations by Ziad Takieddine, a Lebanese businessman questioned by officials in December. Charges against Sarkozy have already been filed in relation to allegations of illegal donations from the richest woman in France.

My main interest in this issue is not about the fact that Sarkozy may have, and probably did (multiple allegations mean something), have some illegal funding. It happens, and I don't particularly have an issue with it right now. My concern is with the fact that money came from Libya. Even though the illegal funds have not been proven, please assume that they have. France has been working with Libya recently, but what sort of agreement did Sarkozy have to make to get this money from Libya? It was certainly not because they were such good friends.

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/sarkozy-in-probe-over-libya-funding-claims-29209386.html

Somalia - Police On High Alert Over Possible Terror Attack

Mogadishu — Somalia Police in Mogadishu are on high alert on Sunday following the recent warning by Britain's' Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) that terrorists are in the final stages of planning attacks in Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.

Col. Abdullah Hassan Barise, Somalia police spokesman and head of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) , told journalists in Mogadishu that security forces have been put on alert in the city and want the public at large to be vigilant and help them to counter any attempted attack.
He said Security has been intensified mainly in Mogadishu, where the terrorists are targeting in addition to government installations and public places, including hotels.

However, security in Mogadishu has improved since the terrorist organization Al Shabaab fled the city after a joint military offensive in August 2011. But bombings and assassinations are still frequent.
On Tuesday a bomb exploded in Mogadishu outside the headquarters of Somalia's Dahabshiil Hawala and Bank, wounding at least two people, hours after members of Al Shabaab ordered the company to cease operations in areas under their control.

The move came after Britain said on Friday it feared imminent terrorist attacks in the Somali capital Mogadishu, in an update of its advice for travelers to the east African country.

The instability in Somalia seems to be increasing yet again. Britain is on high alert about the situation and other countries with citizens in the city should be as well. If there is a terrorist attack on Mogadishu it will shake up things for Somalia at conference. I hope that they can catch those involved before anything harmful happens.


http://allafrica.com/stories/201304081023.html

Chemical weapon disputes and redeployments in Syria

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird flew to the Golan Heights Sunday to hear Israeli concerns about extremists in Syria announcing $2 million in financing for efforts to secure Syrian chemical weapons. The money comes from a credit line for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is to support a UN investigation into chemical weapons mandated by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. 

The Syrian government has withdrawn thousands of soldiers from the Golan Heights and moved them to battle fronts closer to Damascus, the Guardian reported Sunday. According to reports, the move cast doubt over the future of a UN peacekeeping force on a vital plateau. Western diplomats said the Syrian redeployments near the Golan ceasefire line were the most significant in forty years. It's shown that 6,000 people died in Syria in the month of March, the deadliest month yet in Syria. 

Algeria wants trade ties with Pakistan

According to the Algerian Ambassador to Pakistan's Dr. Ahmed Benflis, establishing direct contact with the Pakistani business community, Algeria hopes to increase its trade ties with Pakistan.  This was stated while addressing members of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

He believes that since Algeria is an oil exporting country with most imports from EU and France, while receiving some indirect exports of textile products from some of these countries, that Algeria can help its brotherly country with its energy crisis by increasing exports of Liquefied Natural Gas. In turn Pakistani businessmen should consider their opportunities of exporting rice and textile products directly and invited the businessmen to visit Algeria and have meetings with their counterparts. If wanting to do so, he offered a three month visa issued within four days that could be extended with the FCCI recommendation.

 He also spoke about the international exhibition that is to be held in June in hopes that the businessmen would take part in the exhibition and see it as an opportunity.  Also, he brought about the number of agreements that were signed but not implemented between both countries in the past and stated that Pakistan and Algeria have always had good relations and how the two brotherly Islamic countries would have tremendous trade potential if they collaborate their different sectors. In 2011, bilateral trade was at US $27 millions and according to Mian Zahid Aslam this trade volume is still negligible. 

http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=203087

Saudi Arabia News!

Here are two stories about Saudi Arabia this week:

King Abdullah is allowing a three-month grace period to allow illegal foreign workers to legalize their status. There has been some disorder in the country due to reported mass deportations of illegal foreign workers. Many of these workers are from Arab League member states.

Another story this week is about the relationship with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. They reiterated their mutual support. Prince Khalifa said that Bahrain "stresses its firm and strong support to the sister state of Saudi Arabia on all measures it takes to preserve its security and boost its stability as it faces terrorism and endeavors to eradicate its roots". Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have made a renewing commitment to anti-terrorism, which can transfer over to Arab League in general.


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Sources:
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/bahrain-saudi-arabia-reiterate-mutual-support-1.1167612
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=57968

Moroccan Protests for Reform

Iraq resumes Flights to Kuwait after 22 year halt

Air flights ceased between Iraq and Kuwait since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein.  This invasion led to more than two decades of a strained relationship between the two states.  This first flight marks the effort of both states to repair this relationship.  In January, Kuwait's parliament approved a deal in which Iraq will pay $500 million to Kuwait in compensation to Kuwait's national carrier.  This $500 million will compensate the damages Kuwait experienced during Iraq'a occupation, which included 10 stolen planes and millions of dollars worth of stolen equipment and spare parts. According to both governments, the outstanding issues between both states have been resolved.  According to Iraq's Transportation Ministry spokesman, Karim al-Houri the resumption of flights to Kuwait demonstrate "important horizons for cooperation based on brotherhood".

http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/18515035-418/iraq-resumes-flights-to-kuwait-after-22-year-halt.html

I found this article interesting because it demonstrates action among member states of the Arab League to resolve issues and strengthen relationships.  Even though there are still disputes concerning war reparations between Iraq and Kuwait, the effort to resume flights among the state demonstrate the willingness and necessity of member states to strengthen their relationships as well as to work diligently to resolve conflicts.  For the Arab League to become a stronger organization, member states need to nurture their relationships among each other as well.