Egypt's Gas Export Pipeline Hit by 10th Explosion This Year
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-18/egypt-s-gas-export-pipeline-hit-by-10th-explosion-this-year-1-.html
By Ola Galal
Sun Dec 18 13:17:48 GMT 2011
Egypt's North Sinai gas pipeline, which transports gas to Israel and Jordan, was attacked for the 10th time this year, Egyptian Natural Gas Co. Chairman Magdi Tawfik said.
Unidentified attackers planted two explosive devices beneath the pipeline near the city of El Arish even as it was being repaired following a similar attack last month, Egypt's Oil Ministry said in a faxed statement today. There were no casualties, the ministry said.
Gas was not flowing in the pipeline at the time of today's attack and the company is still assessing the damage, Tawfik said by telephone in Cairo today.
A spokesman at East Mediterranean Gas Co., which owns and operates the undersea extension, did not answer a phone call seeking comment.
"The attack targeted one of the tubes in the network as it was being repaired," Tawfik said. "We will continue with the repairs."
The incident underscores Egypt's challenge in securing the pipeline, jeopardizing a key source of foreign-currency income and threatening to worsen its already soured relations with its eastern neighbor.
The attack is the latest in a series that have affected the gas pipeline infrastructure in the Sinai since February, when a popular uprising forced former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to resign.
Egypt gas pipeline to Israel, Jordan hit
Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:58PM
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/216395.html
An Egyptian pipeline supplying natural gas to Israel and Jordan has been damaged by a fresh blast, the last in a series of such attacks since February.
On Sunday, the pipeline came under attack, making it the 10th attack against the pipelines carrying gas to Israel since the Egyptian revolution earlier this year.
The blast took place five kilometers (three miles) south of the Mediterranean coastal town of al-Arish.
According to a statement by local officials, the attack was carried out with remote-controlled explosives "by unidentified assailants who arrived at the scene using four-wheel-drive vehicles."
The gas pipeline was damaged, but no flames were seen as the gas flow has been halted since the last attack in November.
This is while no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks carried out since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak.
Egyptian protesters have recently called on the ruling military junta to use its forces against the Israeli regime instead of its own people.
Egyptian protesters want the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF), which took over power in Egypt after the February revolution, to immediately hand over power to a civilian government.
Protesters say the SCAF has continued with the decades-long, ruthless practices of the regime of ousted dictator Mubarak.
إخوان و«قطريون».. وسلفيون و«سعوديون»
Brothers and «Qatari» .. The Salafists and «Saudis»
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/node/553556
http://backupurl.com/t3hsok
Saad Eddin Ibrahim
Sat, 17/12/2011 - 08:00
Although demand is usual, and integrity relative to the first phase of parliamentary elections, the Egyptian, several evidence-monitoring observers Field, suggest that there is a lot of money has found its way to the candidates Salafis of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Saudi Arabia, and to the Muslim Brotherhood goers Nur Mosque, which is frequented by Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi for more than thirty years ago in Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar, and we are not talking here about several millions of riyals, but for hundreds of millions of dollars.
Suffice to mention here that the wife of one among the dozens, Magdy Rady, a Liberation Day on Friday, 11.18.2011, organized by the Salafis, the observers monitoring the election campaign three thousand luxury tourist bus, quoted participants in the millions from all over the Mufti of Egypt, on the night and the morning of Friday 18 / 11/2011.
And a simple calculation, the cost of transport alone, back and forth, (3000 × 4000 bus pounds per day) more than twelve million pounds, and like her living expenses. That is, we are talking about no less than twenty-four million pounds in one day. Where any group or party to such funds from its own resources?
The Al-Mubarak, and after them the Supreme Military Council, was established minimum Ikaduha about the aid that it receives 25.000 association of civil society organizations, which did not exceed one hundred million dollars in 2010, an average of four thousand dollars for each association.
Is the money that comes through the Red Sea «old» and those that come across the Mediterranean «haram»? Is milk Alnyak, (collection of camel, a female camel or camel) «old» and cow's milk «haram»?
The huge amounts of money that flowed to the Islamists, from the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf has given my party the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis «freedom and justice» and «light» comparative advantages not available to other parties competing not only in the publicity for their candidates, but also the distribution of bags and bags of food and groceries, accompanied by a printed list of the names and symbols of the candidates and the party (or coalition) to be elected. In addition, the use of religious slogans such as density «Islam is the solution» .. Or «We call to power laws of God», or «We Naticm good .. Voatona your trust and your vote ».
If only it stopped on the publicity and electoral bribes, I have some observers to monitor electoral fraud colors veiled by voters of the Islamic trend. The Qmn under the pretext of «modesty» and not to reveal their faces, and therefore difficult to verify their identity, vote more than once, using the national figures, for other women.
But worse than this and that, is to penetrate mainstream Islamic judicial institution, which is earmarked by several satellite channels Egyptian, Arab, has closed one of the judges committee, which oversees elections, where, after a few hours, and before the date of closing the official four hours, and was the reason justified by the procedure is the lack of veiled or who wear the queue, and I wondered for a moment to see a man so out loud on TV: How do I become a judge this man?
When expressed in Khater in front of some friends from the law firm, explained to me is as follows: «When was the late President Anwar Sadat's leaders and cadres of the Muslim Brotherhood from prison by his predecessor Nasser had put them in after the assassination attempt in the field of Manshia in Alexandria in 1954, they were active in recruiting university students, and over the years they withdrew from the various colleges, including the law schools. Thoughtful of them were appointed prosecutors in the wire, and some of them to include judges and advisers. It should be the judge angry for the absence or scarcity of veiled in his commission of that generation of Islamic judges or snobs », adding that friend so that two instances of them are located between engineers, pharmacists, lawyers, and because of their organization arbitrator, they succeed in controlling the trade of these professions, including the clubs of the judges.
But observers to monitor the hundreds of young Muslim Brotherhood since the early morning they sat in the school yards, in front of each table, along with a computer, and offer his assistance to the voters to deduce the numbers of their committees, and how to vote.
And those who did not come to the polling station and he knows who wants to vote for him or her, it was easy Asthoaah and influence his decision in the selection of the Muslim Brotherhood candidate. And it is not clear that exceeds, or flagrant violation of the law, although it involves unethical behavior.
When I discussed a knowledge of the brothers about these things, replies simply: «The elections, like the war, and war trick», then, the Muslim «wise»!
Thus the financing without borders across the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, and the business acumen, and tricks campaign, and early to go to the commissions, and bribes and aid volunteer, he was able Brotherhood Basically, the Salafis in the back foot, to do well in what he called one of their elders «Battle of funds»!
And Allah knows best
King's strategic call to GCC bloc: Move from cooperation to unity
http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article550750.ece
By ALI AL-BLUWI & GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | ARAB NEWS
Published: Dec 20, 2011 02:01 Updated: Dec 20, 2011 02:01
RIYADH: In a strategic call to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah urged the bloc to move from cooperation to full unity.
"I urge you all to move from a phase of cooperation to a phase of union within a single entity," he told his counterparts at the opening of the annual GCC summit here Monday.
King Abdullah's call to form a strong union came against the backdrop of regional political turmoil and growing threats.
King Abdullah also reaffirmed the need to transform the GCC into a strong unified entity without giving details. He stressed the need to help all brothers in the Arab world, and called on them to "refrain from conflicts and bloodshed."
He also called on the Gulf governments "to stand united and vigilant" to confront challenges. He said that the GCC has to adapt to the new circumstances in the Middle East following the uprisings that swept some Arab countries earlier this year.
"We have learned from history and experience not to stand still when faced with reality," the king told the gathering, mainly composed of the members of royal families in the Gulf countries, royal court advisers, top government officials and civil servants.
The king further said: "Whoever remains a mere spectator, will be lost... That is something we will not accept for the sake of our countries, our people, our stability and security."
King Abdullah, who spoke at the ceremonial Diraiyya Palace, praised the resilience of GCC citizens and called for "continued vigilance against enemies of peace and security."
Over four hundred top GCC officials attended the inaugural ceremony.
Other GCC heads of state present at the summit talks were Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar; King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain; Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman and Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah of Kuwait. The United Arab Emirates was represented by Vice President Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. King Abdullah later received the heads of state and their respective delegations separately.
Asked about the programs following the opening ceremony, Saleem S.A. Al-Alawi, director of the GCC secretary-general's press office, said, "The Gulf leaders would meet again on Tuesday, possibly in the afternoon to discuss the whole range of subjects on the agenda."
He said that there were some bilateral meetings, talks and private visits after the opening of the summit Monday night. The GCC leaders later held a closed-door meeting.
The security in the capital city was beefed up with thousands of policemen deployed around the summit venue and along the roads. A large number of police vans were parked along the roads including the main Khurais Road leading to the summit venue.
But, normal flow of vehicles was not much disrupted. Fire brigade and ambulances were also parked at different places along the route to cope with any emergency situation. In order to ensure utmost security to the high-profile participants, aerial patrolling was also conducted.
Referring to the summit talks, a GCC official said that the Gulf leaders would discuss the situation in the region, including Iran, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. He said that a number of Gulf committees had prepared a huge list of items to be discussed by the Gulf leaders on Monday night and Tuesday. "The agenda is full with particular reference to the need for closer cooperation among the Gulf states," said the official.
Earlier in an arrival statement, Sheikh Hamad of Qatar said he was happy to attend the summit along with his brothers from other GCC states. "We hope that the conference would come out with effective results that would strengthen the GCC and realize the hopes and aspirations of its peoples," he said. He also wished good health for King Abdullah and greater progress and prosperity for the people of Saudi Arabia.
Sultan Qaboos emphasized the GCC leaders' efforts to realize the hopes and wishes of GCC people and enhance their prosperity. "I am happy over the tremendous achievements made by the GCC in the past years and we are continuing our endeavors to achieve more," the Omani leader said, emphasizing the need to bolster the GCC's cooperation and integration.
Bahrain's King Hamad stressed the summit's importance, saying it would help GCC leaders to discuss ways and means to strengthen the organization in the face of growing challenges. "Our renewed meetings reflect the GCC leaders' strong desire to strengthen their relations," Hamad said, adding that the GCC would rise up to the expectations of its citizens.
Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal also called for "more cooperation and increased coordination" between the GCC member states in the wake of the new regional developments.
Speaking to reporters after a ministerial meeting on Sunday, Prince Saud said: "There was an urgent need for cooperation to preserve our region's security and stability and to ensure natural growth and development…away from foreign intervention."
On the assassination plot uncovered against Saudi Ambassador to Washington Adel Al-Jubeir, Prince Saud stressed that this represents not just a threat to the Kingdom but to diplomatic relations and the international law as a whole, and particularly the Geneva Conventions.
During the GCC ministerial meeting, Prince Saud warned against the "continued Iranian meddling in the internal affairs of the regional countries."
He also warned that Tehran's "work to develop nuclear capabilities, which would allow it in the future to possess nuclear weapons, would represent a clear threat to the security and stability of the region."
The foreign minister praised Bahrain for the independent and transparent inquiry carried out by a group of prominent statesmen renowned for impartiality into the recent unrest in the Gulf country. He also disclosed plans to send an ambassador to Libya following the formation of a new government there.
Major hints at possible chemical weapon use in ‘Operation Back-to-Life’
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-266157-major-hints-at-possible-chemical-weapon-use-in-operation-back-to-life.html
19 December 2011 / YAKUP ÇETİN, İSTANBUL
A retired major who was in charge of the violent Operation Back-to-Life 11 years ago, carried out by security forces to suppress a spate of prison riots, has said he saw the kind of bombs that were used against the prisoners during the operation for the first time, which is significant as there are allegations that chemical weapons were used during the operation.
Retired Maj. Zeki Bingöl, one of the commanders in charge of the operation, offered details, including the sort of ammunition used when suppressing the riots, during which 12 people were killed in Bayrampaşa Prison alone. More than 32 inmates were killed in total.
Monday was the 11th anniversary of the deadly operation, conducted simultaneously on Dec. 19, 2000, in 20 prisons.
“I had never before seen a plastic grenade they used that was pear-shaped. You don't have that kind of explosive in the inventory of the gendarmerie command. Those grenades were brought to the prison when the Protocol on Cooperation for Security and Public Order [EMASYA] commander arrived together with the prosecutor,” he said.
“At some point in the operation the EMASYA brigade commander arrived [at Bayrampaşa]. Chief Prosecutor Ferzan Çitici and Prosecutor Fikret Ünalan were also in attendance. These bombs that I had never seen before in my professional life were brought in at that time, and they were used. I don't know if they were chemical.”
Bingöl, who is expected to appear before the court hearing the trial in the next hearing having witness status, claimed that the decision to conduct the operation was given by the National Security Council (MGK).
The investigation into the Hayata Dönüş (Back to Life) operation was completed in May of last year with the Bakırköy 12th High Criminal Court accepting the indictment into incidents that left 12 inmates dead and 29 others seriously injured at İstanbul's Bayrampaşa Prison. Human rights groups say the indictment claims that the 39 privates sent to subdue the riot were responsible for the deaths, but does not bring charges against the politicians who authorized the operation or the military officers who gave the orders.
Retired Maj. Bingöl agrees. “If there is a crime there, it is that of the commanders that gave orders to the 39 privates. That's us. The names of the commanders are written in the operation plan,” he said.
In related developments, Oya Aslan, a lawyer who has co-plaintiff status in the case being heard by the Bakırköy 13th High Criminal, said Bingöl should testify to the prosecutors, who, in turn, should change their indictment in accordance with the information he provides. “The prosecutor conducting this probe should hear Bingöl's testimony immediately and prepare a new indictment,” she said on Monday when Bingöl's remarks were published in the Zaman daily.
Selçuk Kozağaçlı, another co-plaintiff lawyer in the case and also head of the Contemporary Jurists' Association, said they were confident that chemical weapons had been used in the operation, confirmed by reports from the Council of Forensic Medicine (ATK). He said phosphorus shells of the same kind that were used by Israel against the Palestinians in a bombing campaign in 2009 were used against the inmates. He said the high-ranking commanders in charge of the operation were being protected by the Gendarmerie General Command and the General Staff, which have been keeping documents that can serve as vital evidence in the trial hidden for years.
A victim also spoke about the operation following Bingöl's remarks. Hacer Arıkan, who was a Bayrampaşa Prison inmate at the time and suffered severe burns on half of her body, said Bingöl had confirmed her and other victims' claims that chemicals were used against the inmates. She also called on the 39 privates who are on trial to speak out and tell the truth.
“They used pear-shaped grenades. They weren't combustible. It melted our skin without burning our clothes. I saw people's skin melt and literally drip onto the floor,” she said.
Who should really be on trial?
Bingöl also said the operation was conducted in perfect compliance with the command chain hierarchy. The highest ranking commander in charge was then Gendarmerie General Commander Gen. Aytaç Yalman. Other commanders included Gendarmerie Regional Commander Gen. Engin Hoş and Operations Department President Gen. Osman Özbek, who directly took orders from Gen. Yalman.
“This operation was carried out to push the left-wing camp closer toward the neo-nationalists,” Bingöl claimed. He said the operation was a continuation of the Feb. 28, 1997, unarmed military coup against what the military saw was the threat from the religious right. “The military members of the MGK were trying to overthrow the Bülent Ecevit government,” he said, echoing earlier statements from many other observers at the time. “To my knowledge, the inmates in there had been living under the same conditions since 1994. Why wasn't such an operation held before 2000? The real purpose was to create a new left different from the universal left, a new racist left and calling this neo-nationalism,” he elaborated.
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