Whither GCC-US Relations?

Source: Gulf Research Center (Read full story)

The US-GCC relationship appears to be at a crossroads. Despite a long history of relations and a clear common and mutual interest in the stability and security of the Gulf region, the GCC states and the United States look as if they are growing apart on an almost daily basis. This is because on basically every issue of strategic importance and concern at the moment, the two sides are taking or have taken different positions. In this environment, the differences are growing rather than shrinking, an ominous development for the coming years.

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Panel-Shamali strike deal on debt relief – Interior Ministry sues Nafisi for ‘insult’ to Shiites

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

 The National Assembly’s financial and economic affairs committee and Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali yesterday reached a “final” agreement on a scheme to purchase banks loans taken by Kuwaitis and waive all interest on them, head of the committee and Shamali said. Following a marathon meeting yesterday, head of the committee MP Youssef Al- Zalzalah said it was agreed to exclude the debtors of Islamic banks and financial companies from the deal and those registered with the so-called defaulters fund.

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Summit may call for Syria ceasefire

Source: The Peninsula (Read full story)

Arab leaders are set to kick off their coveted conclave at the Doha Sheraton this morning, and are likely to press in their communiqué at the end of the meet tomorrow the United Nations Security Council to ensure a ceasefire in Syria and sponsor a dialogue for peaceful transfer of power. The disagreement over allotting Syria’s opposition the country’s long-vacant seat at the Arab League is in the spotlight and it is feared it might sideline the main issues, among them Palestine and the reform of the Arab League itself, reports aljazeera.net.

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21 medics acquitted of taking part in illegal rallies

Source: Gulf Daily News (Read full story)

Twenty one medics convicted of taking part in unauthorized rallies during the 2011 unrest have been acquitted. The Lower Criminal Court earlier handed down three-month suspended sentences to each defendant last November, meaning they would avoid going to prison unless they broke the law again in that period. Each one was also ordered to pay BD200. They lodged an appeal against their convictions at High Criminal Appeals Court, which was accepted yesterday. Two other medics, who failed to appear in any of their appeal hearings, have lost their chance to appeal. They now can only file an objection against the verdict and will have to be present in court to do so.

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 UAE judiciary handling sedition case responsibly: Gargash

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for FNC Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash commented in his Twitter page on Thursday that the trial of the clandestine group accused of plotting to overthrow the government is being handled by the UAE judiciary responsibly. The attempts made by a partisan group of people to disturb and confuse the public opinion will be of no avail, he said. “Let the UAE judiciary give its final ruling.

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