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MENASource

Oct 10, 2015

Libya’s Article 13: Disagreeing over the Political Agreement

By Azza K. Maghur

UN Special Envoy Bernardino Leon’s announcement on October 8 that Libyan parties had finally reached a political agreement in Skhirat on the composition of a new Government of National Accord (GNA) has energized many observers of Libyan politics. Yet, last minute amendments to the final draft of the agreement should raise some concern over its […]

Libya

MENASource

Oct 9, 2015

Top News: UN Proposes National Unity Government for Libya

By MENASource

After months of protracted negotiations, the United Nations proposed a national unity government to Libya on Thursday, but any deal must pass a vote in both the House of Representatives (HOR) and General National Congress (GNC) parliaments to succeed.

MENASource

Oct 9, 2015

The Libyan Agreement: The First Step in a Long Journey

By Karim Mezran

Habemus Papam. With these words, the Cardinal in charge announces the conclusion of the long voting process that leads to the election of a new Pope, relieving the anxiety and meeting the expectations of the faithful. With the same trepidation and enthusiasm, the UN Special Envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon announced the evening of October […]

Libya

MENASource

Oct 9, 2015

EconSource: World Bank Increases Middle East Program to $3.7 Billion

By EconSource

The World Bank has increased funding for its Middle East program to $3.7 billion in 2016/17 from $3.5 billion in 2015/16 and mobilized extensive resources to support countries neighboring Syria, according to Bank President Jim Yong Kim on Thursday.

MENASource

Oct 9, 2015

Top News: Lawyer Files Appeal for Imprisoned ‘Marriott Cell’ Defendants

By EgyptSource

Shaaban al-Said, one of the defense lawyers in the Al Jazeera trial, filed an appeal in the Court of Cassation for the release of the defendants who have not been pardoned by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

MENASource

Oct 8, 2015

The Incirlik Expansion and the US-Turkish Strategy to Fight ISIS

By Aaron Stein

After nine months of negotiations, the United States and Turkey reached an agreement to open Turkish airbases for strike missions against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) in late July 2015. Since then, the United States has stationed six F-16s at Incirlik and search and rescue aircraft at Diyarbakir airbase.

Syria Turkey

MENASource

Oct 8, 2015

Top News: US Senate Democrats Hold Up Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia

By MENASource

A US Senate panel voted Wednesday to delay weapons sales to Saudi Arabia over concerns regarding the kingdom’s ongoing air war in Yemen. Congress was notified on August 19 of the Obama administration’s intent to provide Riyadh with thousands of precision-guided munitions.

MENASource

Oct 8, 2015

Top News: Sisi Tells Putin Regional ‘Political’ Settlement is Urgently Needed

By EgyptSource

 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi discussed over the phone the latest security and political developments in the Middle East with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin late Wednesday, according to state-affiliated MENA news agency.

MENASource

Oct 8, 2015

EconSource: Saudi Arabia said to order spending curbs amid oil price slump

By EconSource

Saudi Arabia is ordering a series of cost cutting measures as a global slide in oil prices weighs on the kingdom’s budget. The Saudi Finance Ministry told government departments not to contract any new projects and to freeze appointments and promotions in the fourth quarter of 2015, sources said.

MENASource

Oct 7, 2015

Libya’s Leadership Vacuum and its Impact

By Jason Pack

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday September 28, US President Barack Obama acknowledged the shortcomings of the 2011 NATO military intervention in Libya while simultaneously defending the initial logic of the mission, stating that a vacuum had been left behind after the toppling of the Qaddafi regime.

Libya