The Ghalib al-Zayadi Problem
Source: Gregory Johnsen, Waq al Waq (Read full story)
Over the past few years as I’ve thought about al-Qaeda, Yemen and US policy I have returned time and time again to what I have termed “the Ghalib al-Zayadi problem.”
Basically, this is the idea that just because someone in Yemen has a beard, carries a gun and talks about Islamic law doesn’t mean that he is a member of al-Qaeda.
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World leaders express grief as Crown Prince Naif laid to rest
Source: Saudi Gazette (Read full story)
Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, was laid to rest in Al-Adl cemetery here Sunday evening.
King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who arrived in Makkah Saturday night, was joined in the funeral prayers at the Grand Mosque by Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Defense Minister; Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region; Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait; King Abdullah of Jordan; Najib Miqati, Prime Minister of Lebanon; Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of Pakistan; King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Egypt; Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestinian Authority; Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan; Dr. Nabil Al-Arabi of the Arab League; other dignitaries from around the world, princes, senior officials and thousands of citizens. Hundreds of thousands of Umrah performers from all over the world also attended the funeral prayers.
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Dubai Police bust human trafficking gang
Source: Gulf News (Read full story)
The Dubai Police Criminal investigation Department has dismantled a European criminal gang for human trafficking in the UAE, arresting its members and hunting for the rest of the ring internationally.
Brigadier General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri Director of Dubai Police Criminal Investigation Department said that the criminal web includes four European women who alternate roles in attracting girls from Europe to work in night clubs for high salaries, a chauffeur, and accommodation in five-star hotels.
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Kuwait: Cabinet expected to quit, majority demands seats- Amir accepts Rujaib’s resignation, names Othaina as stand ins
Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)
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The prime minister appears to be contemplating whether to offer the resignation of the whole Cabinet or carry out a limited reshuffle that is expected to include the oil and defense ministers besides the social affairs and finance ministers. Former finance minister Mustafa Al-Shamali resigned last month after a marathon grilling over allegations of financial and administrative irregularities that he categorically denied.
Several opposition MPs called on the prime minister to include a good number of opposition lawmakers in the new Cabinet but they differed on the numbers. MP Musallam Al-Barrak said the opposition needs at least nine ministers in the Cabinet so as to have a say on decisions in the 16-member Cabinet in order to be able to carry out the development projects they had promised during the election campaign.
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India becomes top exporter to GCC
Source: Emirates 24/7 (Read full story)
India became the largest exporter to Gulf oil producers in 2010 after overtaking the region’s long-standing top Western suppliers, banking on its strong political ties with those countries, competitive products and its proximity to the area.
China, which was a negligible trade partner of the region two decades ago, emerged as the second largest exporter to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 2010, according to a Qatari bank study.
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Defense ties with Spain reviewed
Source: Arab News ( read full story)
Defense Minister Prince Salman held talks here yesterday with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Morenes on strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.
“I am very happy to visit Spain. It comes following your visit to Saudi Arabia last month in order to complete our discussions during the last meeting,” Prince Salman told the Spanish minister.
Prince Salman, who arrived here Wednesday at the head of a high-level delegation, expressed his hope that the meeting would have good results benefiting the two countries and their people.
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GCC must mobilize resourcesto help Syrians: Prince Saud
Source: Arab News (read full story)
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Speaking at a meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council, Prince Saud called on GCC countries to “to use their resources to … enable the Syrian people to defend themselves against the murderous and destructive machine of the government.”
“The killing and torture of civilians has continued,” said the minister, adding that the GCC must find a “quick solution to this crisis.”
The prince denounced the regime’s oppressive practices against its people. “We have started losing hope in finding a solution for the Syria crisis within the framework of the UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s peace plan,” he said.
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