Middle East

27 June 2007 -- Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair says the absolute priority in the Middle East is reaching a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mr. Blair is expected to be named an envoy to the region on behalf of Quartet of Middle East mediators.

Making his last appearance as prime minister before the House of Commons, Mr. Blair said he believes it is possible to achieve a two-state solution but that it will require "a huge intensity of focus and work."    » read more »

June 25, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on today’s Middle Eastern Summit:

“Today's summit in Sharm el-Sheikh is encouraging. I support the efforts of Prime Minister Olmert, President Mubarak, and King Abdullah to strengthen President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad – two Palestinian leaders who have demonstrated their commitment to non-violence and achieving peace with Israel. These leaders seek peace and deserve the support of the international community.”    » read more »

Latest report on ICRC activities in the field; Medical facilities overwhelmed with patients wounded in the fighting

The large-scale clashes of the past week in Gaza have ceased and a certain calm has returned although there are still sporadic incidents of gunfire. In Gaza City, cars and pedestrians are circulating in the streets once again, and shops have started to reopen. All access points into and out of the Gaza Strip are closed.    » read more »

Latest report on ICRC activities in the field; Situation remains very tense

Over the past few days fighting has erupted at various times in all sectors of the Gaza Strip. In Gaza City, clashes were continuing in some locations on 14 June, including the area around Shifa Hospital and around Al Quds Hospital, run by the Palestine Red Crescent Society. In the southern towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, heavy fighting was reported late on 13 June, with militants occupying positions at European Hospital and Nassar Hospital.    » read more »

Fatah, Hamas Responsible for Civilians in Their Custody

(New York, June 16, 2007) – The two rival Palestinian political factions, Fatah and Hamas, should treat civilians in their custody humanely, and ensure that no further summary executions take place, Human Rights Watch said today.    » read more »

Video Interviews Describe Torture of Brotherhood Detainees

(Cairo, May 30, 2007) – The Egyptian government has intensified its arrest campaign against the Muslim Brotherhood ahead of elections to the upper house of parliament, Human Rights Watch said today, as the organization released video interviews with former Brotherhood detainees.    » read more »

Sees Continued Positive Near-Term Economic Outlook, but Highlights the Need for Strengthened Policies to Sustain Growth and Reduce Unemployment

May 13, 2007 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today released the May 2007 Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia (REO). Mr. Mohsin Khan, Director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department, highlighted the report's main findings:    » read more »

1,000 high-level participants from 50 countries are to meet again at the Dead Sea in Jordan

Geneva, Switzerland, 30 April 2007 – The World Economic Forum on the Middle East will convene at the Dead Sea in Jordan from 18 to 20 May. The World Economic Forum has a strong record as a neutral platform for dialogue between countries, regions and religions. Leaders from the world of business, politics and civil society will meet to discuss various dimensions of the theme, “Putting Diversity to Work”.    » read more »

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Briefs Council

While the long-stalled Middle East peace process was beginning to stir, with both Israel and Arab States showing interest in holding talks, the top United Nations political official told the Security Council today that forward momentum could be threatened in the wake of the sharp escalation of Israeli-Palestinian violence in the West Bank and Gaza.    » read more »

CAIRO, Egypt, April 18, 2007 – The situation in Iraq dominates the political landscape of the United States and of Middle Eastern countries, where citizens have “watched developments in that country with growing concern,” U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told a group of American businessmen here today.

Speaking to the American Chamber of Commerce here, Gates urged people to put aside disagreements they might have “over how we got to this point in Iraq,” and realize how devastating a failed state in Iraq could be.    » read more »

CAIRO, Egypt, April 18, 2007 – Security challenges in the Middle East are significant, but can be overcome by Egypt and the United States working closely together in the region, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.

“I have long considered Egypt one of America’s most important, even indispensable, partners,” Gates said in a speech to the American Chamber of Commerce here.    » read more »