https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:27:27 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-market-prices-in-somalia-rise-after-black-sea-grain-deal-terminated/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 19:22:02 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658366 Market prices in Somalia increased after Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, reports Anadolu Agency. In Africa, 25 countries currently rely on Russia and Ukraine for over one-third of their imported wheat. In some countries, the dependency on external sources for grain has surpassed 90%. During the Russia-Africa Summit on July 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country will provide free grain to six African countries in the next three to four months. "We will be ready in the coming months, in the next three to four months, to provide Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea with 25,000-50,000 tons of grain free of charge. We will also provide free […]]]> 658366 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-us-ukraine-discuss-security-arrangements-saudi-arabia-peace-talks/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:28:49 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658347 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, over the phone, discussing recently held peace talks in Saudi Arabia, and "long-term security arrangements", reports Anadolu Agency. "The two discussed developments in Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts, recent conversations about a just and durable peace in Ukraine held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and long-term security arrangements between the two countries," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. "The Secretary reiterated the United States' staunch and ongoing support of Ukraine's defense against Russia's aggression and reaffirmed continued support of a strong Ukrainian military and accountable defense institutions," Miller added. Talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah on the Ukraine conflict concluded Sunday with the participants […]]]> 658347 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-parts-of-africa-are-switching-from-obedience-to-france-to-obedience-to-russia/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 12:29:22 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658304 In my previous article, I mentioned the military coups in the Arab region, which are a plague. They were not done for the sake of God and the homeland, but rather for the sake of America and its interests and influence in the region. America came up with the idea of coups and encouraged other colonisers to follow suit. We now see Russia creating a coup in Niger from behind the scenes and overthrowing elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who is loyal to France. Russia used senior Niger army officers loyal to Moscow to lead the coup and create a military council headed by Abdul Rahman Chiani. It was Chiani who announced the expulsion of 1,500 French soldiers from Niger and […]]]> 658304 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-turkish-foreign-minister-ukrainian-counterpart-discuss-black-sea-grain-deal/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 12:32:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658168 Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Saturday spoke over the phone and discussed steps that can be taken for the revival of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, according to Turkish diplomatic sources, Anadolu reports. On July 17, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, saying the Russian part of the agreement was not implemented. It sought the loosening of banking restrictions and the ability to ship its fertilizer before returning to the agreement. The agreement, signed in July 2022 in Istanbul by Turkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine, was aimed at resuming grain exports from Ukrainian ports halted due to the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022. Turkiye has said […]]]> 658168 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-russian-airstrikes-kill-3-civilians-in-northwestern-syria/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 13:14:56 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658095 Three civilians were killed in attacks by Russian warplanes on a village in northwestern Syria, local sources said on Saturday, Anadolu reports. Two Russian warplanes departed from the Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia, and carried out four airstrikes on the village, according to the Syrian opposition aircraft observatory. Six others were injured in the attacks which hit the village of Ein Shib in Idlib province, said the White Helmets, a civil defense group. The injured people were transferred to nearby hospitals. In September 2018, Turkiye and Russia agreed to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited. The Syrian regime and its allies, however, have consistently broken the terms of the cease-fire, launching frequent attacks […]]]> 658095 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-russia-accuses-idlib-factions-of-intensifying-weapons-drones-production/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 09:26:43 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658077 Russia has claimed that the opposition factions in Idlib recently intensified the production of weapons and drones. Deputy Head of the Russian Reconciliation Centre Rear Admiral Vadim Kolet stated that Russia: "Will not allow any acts of incitement against the Russian military." Kolet claimed that the leadership of the Russian armed forces group in Syria is ready to take the most decisive measures to protect the lives of Syrians from Russian and Syrian civilians and military. READ: UN urged to help unblock Russia fertiliser stuck in Europe He pointed out that the opposition factions are conducting active recruitment operations, calling on their leaders to: "Reject any acts of incitement and follow the path for a peaceful settlement of the conflict." On […]]]> 658077 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-the-suwalki-gap-and-putins-gambit-for-prigozhin/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 14:30:59 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657986 The Prigozhin saga is unprecedented in Russian history. In the past, if a highly placed personality lost the trust of the Kremlin and were declared enemy of the state, the price would be dire. Prigozhin appears to be an exception. While his mutiny had many military personnel killed, including several pilots, the Wagner boss did not face the consequences of his actions and walked free from prosecution. In fact, Putin granted Prigozhin a second chance, demanding that the Wagner units settle in Belarus. This request gave the signal to Prigozhin that his services were still needed. The Wagner mercenaries, renowned for their war expertise, represent a formidable, disciplined, and motivated force akin to an iron fist. Even though they are mercenaries, […]]]> 657986 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-kremlin-disbelieves-us-promise-to-safeguard-its-food-exports-if-it-returns-to-grain-deal-ria/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 14:19:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658028 Russia does not believe a US promise that Washington will help ensure Moscow can freely export food if it returns to the Black Sea grain deal, state news agency, RIA, quoted the Kremlin as saying on Friday, Reuters reports. US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, told reporters on Thursday: "In the event of return to the agreement, of course, we'll continue to do whatever is necessary to make sure that everyone can export their food and food products freely and safely to include Russia." Russia, last month, quit the agreement that had allowed Ukraine to ship food from its Black Sea ports, complaining about obstacles to its own exports of food and fertiliser. READ: US to keep Russia food exports […]]]> 658028 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-israel-contemplates-forging-ties-with-far-right-party-accused-of-holocaust-denial/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:57:23 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658026 Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, is looking to change Israel's stance toward Romania's far-right AUR party, known for its anti-Semitic positions and denial of the Holocaust, reported the Haaretz. The move comes as Israel strengthens ties with far-right leaders in Europe and against the advice of professionals within the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust institution. AUR, an opposition party in Romania, currently holds around 12 per cent of seats in the country's parliament and espouses far-right nationalist ideologies. It has a troubling history of making anti-Semitic statements and downplaying the scale of the Holocaust in Romania, as well as the country's complicity in war crimes against its Jewish population. Read: Why are we surprised that Netanyahu […]]]> 658026 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-date-not-yet-set-on-putins-next-visit-to-turkiye-president-erdogan/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:22:21 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658017 On the Russian President's upcoming visit to Turkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the date has not yet been set, but talks continue and, hopefully, Vladimir Putin will visit in August, Anadolu Agency reports. "The date is not clear, but the Foreign Minister, head of the intelligence organisation, they are all holding talks," Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul. "Within the framework of these talks, I think that this visit will take place hopefully in August." Erdogan's remarks followed his Wednesday phone call with Putin, in which they agreed Putin would pay a visit to Turkiye in the coming days. Erdogan also told Putin that Turkiye will continue its "intense" efforts and diplomacy for resumption […]]]> 658017 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-un-urged-to-help-unblock-russia-fertiliser-stuck-in-europe/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:58:43 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658015 Russian and seven African leaders, on Friday, called on the UN to take necessary action to release 200,000 tons of Russian fertiliser stuck on European seaports for immediate delivery to the world's second-largest continent, Anadolu Agency reports. In a joint statement, published on the Kremlin website, the presidents of Comoros, Congo, Egypt, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia "called for specific steps to remove obstacles to Russian grain and fertiliser exports, thus allowing the resumption of the full implementation of the Black Sea package initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General as endorsed on 22 July 2022 in Istanbul." "The Leaders also called upon the United Nations to take necessary action in order to release 200 thousand tons of Russian […]]]> 658015 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-saudi-to-extend-oil-output-cuts-for-another-month/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:17:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657992 Saudi Arabia will extend a voluntary oil output cut of one million barrels per day for another month to include September, it said yesterday, adding it could be extended beyond that or deepened, Reuters reported. The kingdom's production for September will be around nine million barrels per day (bpd), the state news agency SPA cited an official source at the energy ministry as saying. "This additional voluntary cut comes to reinforce the precautionary efforts made by OPEC+ countries with the aim of supporting the stability and balance of oil markets," the source said. The cut may be "extended, or extended and deepened", he added, flagging the possibility of further market tightening. The decision came on the eve of a panel meeting from OPEC+, which […]]]> 657992 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-us-to-keep-russia-food-exports-flowing-if-grain-deal-revived-blinken-says/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 19:48:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657959 The United States would continue to do "whatever is necessary" to ensure Russia can freely export food if there was a revival of a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said on Thursday, Reuters reports. Russia, last month, quit the July 2022 deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkiye aimed at easing a global food crisis after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, five months earlier. Ukraine and Russia are both leading grain exporters. "In the event of return to the agreement, of course, we'll continue to do whatever is necessary to make sure that everyone can export their food and food products freely and safely, to include Russia," Blinken told reporters at the United Nations. "We want to see […]]]> 657959 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-revival-of-black-sea-grain-deal-crucial-for-food-access-price-stability/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 18:41:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657950 The revival of the Black Sea grain deal is significant for global food price stability and continued access to food in poor countries, Anadolu Agency reports. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of withdrawal from the deal on 17 July, the matter resurfaced in a telephone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Putin. Erdogan stressed that the suspension of the deal, which he termed the "bridge of peace," would benefit no one and particularly harm countries with low income levels that rely on the grain. Quoting figures, he said grain prices rose 15 per cent in the past two weeks, compared to a decline of 23 per cent when the deal was in place. Turkiye will continue its […]]]> 657950 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-time-place-of-meeting-of-russia-turkiye-presidents-to-be-set-via-diplomatic-channels-kremlin/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:59:32 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657878 The details of a meeting between the Russian and Turkish presidents, including the time, place and date, will be coordinated via diplomatic channels, a Kremlin spokesman said Thursday, Anadolu Agency reports. "In general, the presidents confirmed their intention to meet soon" during a Wednesday phone call between Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing in Moscow. "But the venue of the meeting and the timing of this meeting will continue to be agreed through diplomatic channels." Peskov also decried remarks by top EU diplomat, Josep Borrell, who accused Russia of trying to create dependence on its grain among developing countries. "This is absolutely not the case. Russia has always been, and remains – with known […]]]> 657878 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-brazil-president-supports-accession-of-saudi-arabia-uae-to-brics/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:41:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657845 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has expressed his support for more countries joining the BRICS group. Lula said in the capital, Brasilia, yesterday that he supports countries such as Argentina, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joining the group. BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is due to hold a summit in Johannesburg from 22-24 August. He also described the seven leading industrialised countries as a "club" that should not exist, considering that its form in terms of geopolitical affairs is outdated. The UK, US, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Germany make up the group of Western industrialised countries, known as the G7. Some 22 countries have "formally" asked to join the BRICS group, while […]]]> 657845 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-russia-criticises-un-chief-for-calling-proposal-to-supply-grain-to-africa-handful-of-donations/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 16:43:08 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657531 Russia, on Wednesday, criticised UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for calling its initiative to supply African countries grain free of charge "handful of donations", Anadolu Agency reports. Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, urged Guterres to ask the recipients how they evaluate this very "handful of donations" and what they want. "By recipients, I mean the countries to which humanitarian aid is intended. Can we give them a word? Maybe the Secretary-General should ask them before going to the cameras and making such statements? What do they think, maybe it's really extremely important for them?" she said. The spokeswoman added that African representatives applauded Russian President, Vladimir Putin, when he made the announcement at the second […]]]> 657531 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-putin-reaffirms-russian-stance-on-grain-deal-in-call-to-erdogan/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:23:12 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657529 Russian President, Vladimir Putin, told his Turkish counterpart, Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday that Moscow was ready to return to the Black Sea grain deal as soon as the West met its obligations with regard to Russia's own grain exports, Reuters reports. The deal, brokered by Turkiye and the United Nations in July 2022, allowed for the safe export of grain from Ukraine's Black Sea ports. Last month, Moscow exited the deal, accusing the West of hampering Russia's own grain and fertiliser exports. In a statement on Putin's call with Erdogan, the Kremlin said: "It was noted that, in the conditions of a complete lack of progress in the implementation of the Russian part of the 'grain deal', its further extension […]]]> 657529 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-russia-says-it-has-evacuated-embassy-personnel-from-sudan/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 20:05:28 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657153 Russia, on Tuesday, said it has evacuated personnel of its embassy in Sudan, as clashes between army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group continue, Anadolu Agency reports. "Due to high security risks in the context of ongoing clashes in Sudan, some employees of the Russian Embassy transferred from Khartoum, as well as Russian citizens and family members who applied for assistance in returning to their homeland, were evacuated from Port Sudan," said a Foreign Ministry statement. It added that the evacuated personnel arrived at the Chkalovsky Air Base near the capital, Moscow, on a special flight on Tuesday. "The work of the Russian Consulate in Port Sudan continues as usual," the press release said. Sudan's army and RSF […]]]> 657153 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-kremlin-seeks-more-info-about-talks-in-saudi-ukraine-says-moscow-unwelcome/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:29:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657113 The Kremlin said, on Monday, it needed to learn more about the purpose of talks planned in Saudi Arabia about the war in Ukraine, but Ukraine made it plain Russia was not welcome at the meeting, Reuters reports. The meeting was first reported last Saturday in the Wall Street Journal, which said Saudi Arabia would invite Western states, Ukraine and major developing countries to talks, focusing on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's peace plan. The paper said Kyiv and Western countries hoped that the talks could lead to international backing for peace terms favouring Ukraine. Asked about the WSJ report, Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said: "Of course, Russia will follow this meeting. We need to understand what goals are set and what will […]]]> 657113 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230731-russia-to-supply-nuclear-fuel-to-bangladesh-power-plant-in-september/ Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:11:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656709 The Director-General of Russia's nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, on Monday said that Bangladesh will get the nuclear fuel for its lone nuclear power plant this September, Anadolu Agency reports. Alexey Likhachev said this during a meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, at the latter's office in the capital, Dhaka, the Premier's Press Secretary, Ihsanul Karim, told reporters after the meeting. Bangladesh is constructing its biggest $12.65 billion Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) with 90 per cent Russian financial support. Bangladesh will have to repay the loan within 28 years, with a 10-year grace period. Russia's state-run nuclear company, Rosatom, is providing technical assistance in the project's implementation. READ: Bangladesh signs new long-term LNG deal with Oman Though the project […]]]> 656709 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230729-asias-strategic-autonomy-how-the-new-era-could-shape-our-collective-identities/ Sat, 29 Jul 2023 11:30:40 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656406 In a recent speech, China's highest-ranking diplomat Wang Yi spoke of a "united Asia" and its need to develop a "strategic autonomy". In principle, Wang was not wrong; after all, a stable and prosperous Asia would benefit the region's peoples and deny Western meddlers the chance to exploit historical fault lines and sow the seeds of political division. Wang's language, although from the outside may seem simple and straightforward, is quite loaded with meaning. "No matter how blonde you dye your hair, how sharp you shape your nose, you can never become a European or American, you can never become a Westerner," Wang said, as cited by Chinese state media. In fact, common culture, beliefs and origins have historically served […]]]> 656406 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-africa-leaders-press-putin-to-end-ukraine-war-and-restore-grain-supplies/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 19:40:18 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656142 African leaders pressed Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on Friday to move ahead with their peace plan to end the Ukraine conflict and to renew a deal on the safe wartime export of Ukrainian grain that Moscow tore up last week, Reuters reports. While not directly critical of Russia, their interventions on the second day of a summit were more concerted and forceful than those that African countries have voiced until now. They served as reminders of the depth of African concern at the consequences of the war, especially rising food prices. "This war must end. And it can only end on the basis of justice and reason," African Union Commission Chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, told Putin and African leaders in […]]]> 656142 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-envoy-uk-does-not-intend-to-restore-ties-with-syrias-assad/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 11:16:52 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656012 The British Special Representative for Syria, Ann Snow, said the British government does not intend to restore ties with the regime of President Bashar Al- Assad. However, Snow said in press statements that "any contact between Arab countries and the government of Bashar Al-Assad must be accompanied by conditions and fundamental changes." "Dialogue with Assad without any tangible change, or without real accountability for the crimes he committed against the Syrians, will not help the Syrian people, the region, or the world," she said. She pointed out that Britain also does not intend to provide any aid for reconstruction, until "Assad takes serious steps to change his behaviour, or seriously engage in the United Nations political process." Snow considered implementing […]]]> 656012 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-handful-of-donations-from-russia-is-not-the-same-as-black-sea-grain-deal-un-chief/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 18:53:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655970 The UN Secretary-General said, Wednesday,, that a "handful of donations" will not be the same as the Black Sea grain deal to help ease a global food crisis, as Russia offered to provide free grain to six African countries after its withdrawal from the agreement, Anadolu Agency reports. In a press conference, Antonio Guterres warned that taking millions of tons of grains out of the market will lead to higher prices. "The increase of prices will be paid by everybody everywhere and namely by developing countries and by the vulnerable people in middle income and even developed countries," he said. "So it's not with a handful of donations to some countries, that we correct this dramatic impact that affects everybody, […]]]> 655970 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-putin-says-russia-will-provide-free-grain-to-6-african-countries-in-next-3-4-months/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:40:20 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655632 Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday announced that his country will provide free grain to six African countries in the next three to four months, Anadolu Agency reports. "We will be ready in the coming months, in the next three to four months, to provide Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic and Eritrea with 25,000-50,000 tons of grain free of charge. We will also provide free delivery of this product to consumers," Putin said during his opening speech at the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg. He said that a "paradoxical picture" is emerging, where Western countries are obstructing the supply of Russian grain and fertilisers, while also "hypocritically" accusing Moscow of the "current crisis situation in the […]]]> 655632 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-what-does-the-kremlin-think-about-turkiyes-stance-on-swedens-nato-bid/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 10:00:33 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655548 Some experts argue that Turkiye's approval of Sweden's NATO membership will strain its ties with Russia. However, a more nuanced approach is needed to understand the issues at stake. Turkiye-Russia relations go way beyond superficial analysis. Since the Russo-Turkish War of 1676–1681, they have fought on many occasions, and have accumulated sufficient experience to understand each other. They have managed their relationship through balanced, realistic and interest-oriented policies. Sometimes, in this context, 2 plus 2 does not always equal 4, especially in the post-Cold War period. The Kremlin is aware of two essential things: Turkiye has been a NATO member since 1952, and its army is NATO's second largest; and Russia's relations with Turkiye are conducted through intricate negotiations, taking […]]]> 655548 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-foreign-meddling-and-competing-interests-hinder-any-solution-in-libya/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 08:00:06 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655172 If you ask any Libyan citizen about the biggest obstacles hindering political solutions in the country, the most likely answer is: external interferences and the disputes of local de-facto politicians. Since the country fell victim to the so called "Arab Spring" in 2011, it became an open arena for all sorts of external meddling in its internal affairs – usually individual foreign countries' pursuit of their own interests, regardless of what the impact could be on Libya's stability, security and economic prosperity. Worse still, most of such interests are competing with each other at the expense of the country. The internal conflict, since erupting in 2011, has turned into a regional and international conflict in which various countries are competing […]]]> 655172 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-putin-tells-sisi-dabaa-nuclear-power-plant-project-on-track/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 07:35:42 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655544 Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday told his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, that the Dabaa nuclear power plant project is being implemented as planned. This came during a meeting that was held between the two presidents on the sidelines of the second Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg. According to Russia Today, Putin said that his country has big projects in the field of energy and especially the construction of the nuclear power plant. The nuclear power plant will be made up of four reactors, which will all be in the construction phase by the end of this year and are due to be complete by 2030. READ: Russia 'repeatedly' asked Ethiopia to consider Egypt's concerns over dam]]> 655544 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-russia-aircraft-flew-dangerously-close-to-us-drone-over-syria-white-house/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 19:22:40 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655285 A Russian aircraft flew "dangerously close" to a US drone over Syria earlier this week in violation of established protocols and international norms, the White House said on Wednesday, Reuters reports. "We have seen the early reports of a second Russian fighter aircraft this week, flying dangerously close to our drone on a defeat ISIS mission," White House spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters in a press briefing. The US military said on Tuesday the Russian fighter jet hit the US drone with a flare and "severely" damaged its propeller over Syria. US officials say that Russian jets have increased the pace of dangerous encounters with US military aircraft in recent months over Syria, where forces from both countries operate. READ: US says Russia plane […]]]> 655285 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-italys-pm-criticises-predecessors-approach-towards-egypt/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:15:27 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655193 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised the strategy adopted by her predecessors in dealing with Egypt over the murder of Giulio Regeni in Cairo in early 2016. According to Russia Today's Arabic news website, Meloni said in radio statements yesterday that the strategy previously adopted by left-wing governments was wrong, as condescending attitudes towards the Egyptian government makes it difficult to obtain results. "The difference is that the [current] government's approach is not condescending at all. We treat each other as equals with mutual respect. This new approach has resulted in an opening with Egypt," she said in a possible hint at the reasons for the release of human rights researcher Patrick George Zaki. A presidential pardon issued by Egyptian […]]]> 655193 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-egypt-remittances-from-abroad-down-26-1/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:37:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655156 The Central Bank of Egypt announced yesterday that remittances from Egyptians working abroad have decreased by 26.1 per cent this fiscal year. During the first nine months of the 2022-2023 fiscal year, remittances were $17.5 billion, compared to $23.5 billion the previous year. Remittances from Egyptians abroad are the largest source of foreign currency in Egypt, and the North African country is the fifth largest recipient of remittances worldwide. Exports, tourism and Suez Canal revenue are the largest forms of currency after remittances.  Income from remittances was higher than revenues from the Suez Canal and tourism combined in the 2021-2022 year. Remittances from abroad plummeted in March 2022, after Egypt devalued the pound for the first time. The government has since devalued […]]]> 655156 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-envoy-russia-repeatedly-asked-ethiopia-to-consider-egypts-concerns-over-dam/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 09:32:06 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655142 The Russian Ambassador to Cairo, Georgy Borisenko, said his country has contacted Ethiopia "several times" and urged it to take into account Egypt's concerns regarding Addis Ababa's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). "Russia has addressed its Ethiopian partners several times in order for them to take into account the Egyptians' concerns about the dam, and we told them that they should remember the rightful concerns of our Egyptian friends, and it is necessary to find mutually beneficial solutions," Borisenko said during an interview on MBC Egypt 2 which aired yesterday. The Russian envoy said Moscow fully understands Egypt's position on the dam and knows that the Nile waters play an existential role in the lives of Egyptians. READ: Deadly real estate in Egypt: […]]]> 655142 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230725-brics-endorses-the-defunct-two-state-compromise/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 15:09:43 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655015 The BRICS Summit in South Africa has given further unwarranted validation to the two-state compromise for Palestine-Israel. The Palestinian Authority's official news agency Wafa promoted the reaffirmation by international diplomacy as calling for "the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital." While BRICS is seen as an economic alternative – 22 countries have formally applied to join the bloc, while another 20 have expressed interest – its diplomacy for Palestine only promises more of the same defunct premises which have accelerated Israel's settler-colonial expansion on Palestinian territory. Economic inequalities may be addressed through BRICS, although the number of countries applying or expressing interest will inevitably veer the group away from the alternative economic policies which […]]]> 655015 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230725-us-says-russia-plane-hit-drone-with-flare-over-syria/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:12:24 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655001 The US military said a Russian fighter jet hit a US drone with a flare and "severely" damaged its propeller over Syria, the latest in a series of closer interactions by Russian military aircraft in the region, Reuters reports. Over the past several months, US officials say, Russian jets have increased the pace of dangerous encounters with US military aircraft over Syria, where forces from both countries operate. "One of the Russian flares struck the US MQ-9, severely damaging its propeller," the US military said in a statement on Tuesday. "Fortunately, the MQ-9 crew was able to maintain flight and safely recover the aircraft to its home base," the statement added. US military officials have said it is unclear what has led […]]]> 655001 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230722-algeria-president-country-applied-to-join-brics-offered-1-5bn/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 09:02:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654442 Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced on Friday that his country had submitted a request to be a shareholder in the BRICS group to the amount of $1.5 billion. President Tebboune revealed, for the first time, the value of the contribution in an interview with China Central Television broadcast on Friday. Tebboune disclosed: "We officially applied to join the BRICS group, we sent a letter asking to be shareholder members of the bank… Algeria's first contribution to the bank will be $1.5 billion." The BRICS Bank, formerly referred to as the New Development Bank, is run by BRICS countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, with its headquarters in Shanghai, China. READ: Algeria President to pay 2-day visit to Turkiye The […]]]> 654442 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-many-may-die-warns-un-after-end-of-black-sea-grain-deal/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:44:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654438 A spike in grain prices since Russia quit a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain "potentially threatens hunger and worse for millions of people," the United Nations' Aid chief told the Security Council on Friday, Reuters reports. "Some will go hungry, some will starve, many may die as a result of these decisions," Martin Griffiths told the 15-member Council, adding that some 362 million people in 69 countries were in need of humanitarian aid. Russia quit the Black Sea grain deal on Monday, saying that demands to improve its own food and fertiliser exports had not been met, and that not enough Ukrainian grain had reached the poorest countries. US wheat futures in Chicago rose over 6 per cent […]]]> 654438 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-civil-war-in-syria-aggravates-suffering-of-cancer-patients/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:57:55 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654393 The Syrian Army, supported by Russia, continues to target and attack the health infrastructure in Syria's north-western city of Idlib, Anadolu Agency reports. The attacks have resulted in severe problems for cancer patients, including limited treatment and difficulty accessing necessary medication. The conditions in Idlib have made it nearly impossible for cancer patients to receive adequate treatment as a result of the social and economic consequences of the war, the scarcity of treatment options and challenges in procuring essential drugs. The number of cancer patients in need of treatment in Idlib and surrounding areas under the control of the Syrian National Army amounts to 3,200. According to the Health Director of Idlib, Dr. Zuheyr Karrat, there are ongoing efforts with local […]]]> 654393 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-uk-quran-burning-desecration-deeply-insulting-to-muslims/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:31:31 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654391 Britain has condemned the desecration and burning of the Quran, Islam's holy book, in the Swedish capital city of Stockholm, Anadolu Agency reports. In a written statement issued by a spokesperson of UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the British government said such actions are "deeply insulting to Muslims around the world and completely inappropriate". Saying the UK denounces hatred on the basis of religion or belief, the Foreign Office said: "We will defend freedom of religion or belief for all, and promote mutual respect. We recognise the deep suffering experienced by Muslims around the world caused by the burning of the Quran." READ: UN Human Rights Council condemns attacks on Quran despite Western states' rejection Arab and Islamic states […]]]> 654391 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-tunisia-saudi-arabia-sign-500m-loan-deal/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 15:48:59 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654386 The governments of Tunisia and Saudi Arabia signed a soft loan agreement worth $400 million and a financial grant of $100 million offered by Riyadh to help mitigate Tunis' budget deficit. This came at a time when Tunisia is facing a budget deficit crisis and a decline in foreign investments. The Tunisian radio reported that Finance Minister Siham Boughdiri Nemsia and Saudi Finance Minister Muhammad Al-Jadaan signed a $400 million soft loan agreement at the Tunisian government palace in Kasbah. They also signed a $100 million grant agreement. The Tunisian minister stated that the loan and grant agreements will be directed to support the state's general budget. READ: Tunisia borrows $87.1m from African Development Bank for grain production According to the […]]]> 654386 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-turkiye-working-against-end-of-black-sea-grain-deal-and-resulting-fallout-president/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:40:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654342 Ending the Black Sea grain deal as announced this week would hit hard in numerous ways, warned Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that Turkiye is already working to prevent this, Anadolu Agency reports. "The termination of the Black Sea grain initiative will have a range of (harmful) effects, ranging from raising global food prices, in some regions to famine and then new waves of migration. We do not hesitate to take the initiative to prevent this," Erdogan told reporters on Thursday on the presidential plane returning from a three-nation Gulf tour. "I believe that by discussing the issue in detail with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, we will ensure the continuation of this humanitarian movement," he added, hinting at Turkiye's […]]]> 654342 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-south-africa-22-countries-officially-requested-to-join-brics-group/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:06:30 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654338 Some 22 countries have "formally" asked to join the BRICS group, while an equal number has informally expressed interest in joining the bloc, South Africa announced yesterday. BRICS, a bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is due to hold a summit from 22-24 August in South Africa and has previously hinted that it was open to expansion. South Africa's top diplomat in charge of relations with the bloc, Anil Sooklal,  told reporters in Johannesburg that 22 countries have officially asked to join the BRICS group while there was "an equal number of countries have informally expressed interest in becoming BRICS members … [including] all the major global south countries." READ: BRICS summit issues special resolution in favour of […]]]> 654338 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-brics-summit-issues-special-resolution-in-favour-of-palestine/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 11:35:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654329 The BRICS summit called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Wafa news agency reported. BRICS, a bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, issued a resolution following its conference in the South African capital, Pretoria, yesterday calling for the implementation of United Nations and UN Security Council resolutions related to the Palestinian issue, including Resolution No. 2334 on the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict within the framework of the two-state solution, by establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. A delegation from the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), headed by Azzam Al-Ahmad, and senior Palestinian diplomat Salman Al-Harfi attended yesterday's session. On the sidelines of the conference, the delegation […]]]> 654329 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-turkiye-hopes-black-sea-grain-deal-will-continue-national-defence-ministry/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 13:46:01 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654143 Thought it expired on Monday, Turkiye is still working hard to ensure the continuation of last year's landmark Black Sea grain deal, the country's National Defence Ministry said on Thursday, Anadolu Agency reports. "The whole world attaches great importance to maintenance of the grain deal. It is clear that the agreement, which was established through joint efforts, plays a vital role in tackling the global food crisis," a National Defence Ministry official told reporters at a background briefing in the capital, Ankara. Russia, on Monday, suspended its participation in the deal, which it signed last July along with Turkiye, the UN and Ukraine to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in […]]]> 654143 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-israel-jewish-immigration-numbers-fall/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 10:16:42 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654090 The annual rate of Jewish immigration to Israel has fallen significantly since start of this year, according to the Ministry of Immigration. The decline is being attributed to the ongoing instability in the country due to the massive protests against the government's planned judicial overhaul. Since the beginning of January, 29,293 Jews from around the world have migrated to Israel, recording a 19 per cent fall on the same period last year. Almost 80 per cent of the immigrants —22,851 – came from Russia, and 1,463 arrived from Ukraine. READ: Israel asks France to intervene to prevent confrontation with Hezbollah]]> 654090 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-turkiye-nato-agenda-sweden-bid-f-16s-and-war-mediation/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 19:00:15 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653785 Last week was, by all standards, a historical turning point for the relationship between Turkiye and its NATO allies. Three important developments were witnessed at the Vilnius summit. First, there was the long-awaited breakthrough in negotiations, which allowed Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to finally approve Sweden's membership. Secondly, the US had finally agreed to the sale of its F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye and, finally, Turkiye's offer to play a greater mediating role in the Ukraine-Russia was welcomed. Sweden's bid After more than a year of negotiations, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, agreed to endorse Sweden's entry into NATO. Ankara had blocked Stockholm's membership bid over accusations that the Swedish government supported PKK terrorist groups and allowed Islamophobic campaigners to desecrate […]]]> 653785 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-russia-warns-against-any-ships-travelling-to-ukraine-from-thursday/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 18:20:36 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653842 Russia warned that, from Thursday, any ships travelling to Ukraine's Black Sea ports will be seen as possibly carrying military cargoes after Ukraine said it was setting up a temporary shipping route to try and continue its grain exports, Reuters reports. The moves by both countries, on Wednesday, came just days after Russia quit a deal – brokered by the United Nations and Turkiye – that allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain for the past year, and revoked its guarantees of safe navigation. Ukraine has made clear that it wants to try and continue its Black Sea grain shipments and told the UN shipping agency, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), that it had "decided to establish on a temporary […]]]> 653842 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-talks-on-repatriating-ukraine-children-from-russia-under-way-since-at-least-april-source/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 17:56:47 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653839 Talks being mediated by Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on the repatriation of Ukrainian thousands of children taken to Russia since Moscow's invasion have been under way since at least April, a source with knowledge of the discussions said on Wednesday, Reuters reports. The source confirmed a Financial Times report that Riyadh and Istanbul were trying to broker a deal to bring home children who have been have been taken to Russia and placed in children's homes or adopted by Russian families. Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out illegal deportations. Moscow, which controls parts of Ukraine's east and south, denies abducting children and says they have been transported away for their own safety. "The Turks and the Saudis, especially, have been showing […]]]> 653839 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-us-reinforces-defences-in-syria-after-russia-jet-flies-dangerously/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 08:03:23 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653393 The United States is taking defensive measures to confront the challenges resulting from the unsafe behaviour of Russian aircraft in Syria, the State Department said yesterday. "We have noticed problems related to the unprofessional and unsafe behaviour of Russian aviation in Syria," a press statement explained. It called on Russia to return to non-conflict protocols in order to avoid any unintended error that might be caused by the Russian fighter jet's behaviour which it described as both "unprofessional and irresponsible". The United States has already threatened to take military action against Russian forces in Syria, after the increased air friction between the two sides. READ: Syria struggles to contain wildfires as temperatures rise Al Jazeera quoted an unnamed senior Pentagon official as […]]]> 653393 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230718-ukraine-cargo-insurance-policy-suspended-after-russia-quits-grain-deal-marsh/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 18:01:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653371 A cargo insurance facility providing cover for Ukraine grain shipments via a safe sea corridor has been suspended after Russia quit the United Nations-backed agreement, broker Marsh said on Tuesday. Moscow has withdrawn from the year-old grain export deal in a move the United Nations said risked creating hunger around the world, Reuters reports. The marine cargo and war facility provided cover up to $50 million per cargo and was led by Lloyd's of London insurer, Ascot, together with other underwriters. "It is currently on pause; it is suspended effectively due to the agreement not being extended," said David Roe, head of UK cargo at Marsh, which acted as the facility's broker. READ: Insurers reviewing Black Sea ship cover after […]]]> 653371