IRAQ: Azores summit shows stage is set for war, says UAE paper

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper today commented on the outcome of the Azores emergency summit of the US, Britain and Spain, which the paper said showed that the stage is set for war against Baghdad.

IRAQ: Russia cuts embassy staff to 15.

Russia decided to cut its embassy staff in Iraq to 15 members, a reliable source said on Tuesday.

IRAQ: Israel calls up hundreds of reservists in expectation of war

-The Israeli military has called up hundreds of reservists serving in anti-aircraft and rescue units in anticipation of a US military offensive against Iraq, the Israeli army said today.

IRAQ: India sets up crisis management group for war

India has activated a high-level crisis management group (CMG) to deal with the fallout of a United States-led attack on Iraq, according to news reports Tuesday.

IRAQ: UN weapons inspectors evacuate

United Nations weapons inspectors have left Iraq ahead of an expected war by US-led military forces, the UN said Tuesday.

LEBANON: US request to expel Iraqi diplomats turned down

Lebanon has reportedly turned down a US request to expel Iraqi diplomats currently based in Beirut, the Arabic newspaper "As-Safir" reported today.

IRAQ: Kuwait denies funding war

Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly Jassem al-Kharafi vehemently denied his country was committing itself to the funding of a potential war against Iraq or of any other war expenses.

IRAQ: Authorities affirm country is free of weapons of mass destruction

Iraq's Minister of Information Mohammad Said al-Sahaf refuted as untrue the US and British claims about Baghdad's possession of weapons of mass destruction stressing that his country was totally free from alleged banned WMD.

IRAQ: Russian diplomats to remain at their posts even if war brakes out

Twenty-five Russian diplomats will stay in the Iraqi capital Baghdad even in the event of war, a Foreign Ministry official said in Moscow Monday.

HEALTH-UAE: Ministry bans importation of Dutch eggs, chicken

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Mohammed Saeed Al Raqabani has issued a ministerial decree banning the import of live birds and eggs from the Netherlands.

AFGHANISTAN: UAE sends more relief supplies

A planeload of 35 tons of relief supplies left here today for Kabul as part of the air bridge launched by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Red Crescent Society (RCS) to reach out to the Afghan people.

MIDDLE EAST: India Russia target market for Brahmos supersonic cruise

The Middle East and Far East are being viewed as potentially strong markets for the Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile, a joint venture between India and Russia, which is in the final stage of development and could be introduced in the global market in a year's time.

IRAQ: Azores summit a cloak of legitimacy for war, says UAE paper

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper today commented on the Azores emergency summit of the US, Britain and Spain, which the paper said was an attempt to give a cloak of legitimacy to war without the United Nations sanction.

POLITICS-SYRIA: Fears Already over Who is Next

The U.S. faces hard times ahead in Iraq and beyond if it goes for war, going by indications in the Arab world.

MIDDLE EAST: Mergers in Arab media world set to boost industry

Latest research by the communications, media and IT research company Arab Advisors Group has revealed that the recent alliances, partnerships and mergers that took place in the Arab world's media industry represent a very significant trend and could impact the future of the media industry in the region.

FOOD SECURITY-UAE: Consumer society warns of GMF hazards

A consumer's protection group has warned consumers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and worldwide of the dangers posed by genetically modified foods (GMF).

INDIA: US request for Iraqi diplomats’ expulsion snubbed

Just when it is having to fend off insinuations of a pro-US tilt, the Vajpayee government has rebuffed a US "request" for the expulsion of three high-ranking members of the Iraqi mission here.

MIDDLE EAST: Renewed hope for a Palestinian dream, says UAE daily

A major United Arab Emirates (UAE) Arabic daily today said that the statement made yesterday by US President George W. Bush - in which he said that he would soon disclose his peace plan for the Middle East region through the "Road Map" for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state - has renewed the hope on the possibility of resuming a real and effective international move to end the tragedy of the Palestinian people and the daily atrocities being perpetuated against them by the Israeli forces.

IRAQ-UN: Baghdad delivers information on VX, anthrax stockpiles

A spokesman for the United Nations Arms Inspectors said Iraq has delivered information on its stockpiles of VX nerve gas and dried anthrax spores.

ISRAEL: Iraq missile strikes unlikely

Israeli army on Saturday denied reports that Baghdad has moved medium-range rockets from eastern to southern Iraq, within striking distance of the Jewish state.

POLITICS-PALESTINE: A Prime Minister Not Even in Name

A Prime Minister has been named for Palestine, but no one is sure what kind of government he is prime minister of.