Middle East

Cairo, Jul 4: Egypt's army was holding ousted President Mohamed Morsi at a military facility in Cairo on Thursday and other Muslim Brotherhood leaders were arrested in a crackdown on the movement that won several elections last year. The United Nations, the United States and other world powers did not condemn Morsi's removal as a military coup. To do so might trigger sanctions. Army intervention

Makkah, Jul 1: The General Presidency for the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah has started implementing a plan prepared for the blessed month of Ramadan by recruiting more than 8,000 workers to serve Umrah performers and worshippers at the Grand Holy Mosque in Makkah. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Nasser Al-Khuzayyim, Vice President for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Alexandria, Jun 29: Two people, one an American, were killed when protesters stormed an office of Egypt’s ruling Muslim Brotherhood in Alexandria, adding to growing tension ahead of mass rallies aimed at unseating Muhammad Mursi. A third man was killed and 10 injured in an explosion during a protest in Port Said, at the mouth of the Suez Canal. Police on Saturday said the cause was unclear but

Dubai, Jun 28: Passengers and crew on board an Emirates flight to Istanbul had a close shave after the aircraft almost collided with a two-seater UAE Air Force Hawk trainer jet at Dubai International Aiport recently. The trainer aircraft was flying low and fast, while the civil airliner was just into flight. No injuries were reported. Investigations into the ‘serious incident’ continues, but a

Makkah, Jun 28: The ongoing expansion of the mataf (the circumambulation area around the Kaaba) will double the hourly capacity of the area from 48,000 pilgrims to 105,000 pilgrims after its completion in three years. The expansion project, ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, is expected to be completed in October 2015. It will accommodate more worshippers when the capacity

Doha, Jun 25: The Amir of Qatar, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, said on Tuesday he was stepping down and handing power to his son Crown Prince Shaikh Tamim. In a speech broadcast on Qatar state television, Shaikh Hamad said it was time for a new generaiton to take over. He made no direct mention of Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Shaikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, who had been

Ramallah, Jun 25: Israeli authorities on Monday began new excavations near Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex in occupied Jerusalem, a Palestinian foundation said. The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said that the Israeli authorities began the excavations in the southern part of Al-Magharebah Gate, the eastern part of the Umayyad palaces and at the entrance of the Wadi Hilweh neighborhood. The

Doha, Jun 24: The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, is expected to meet members of the royal family on Monday, with Qatari officials and diplomats saying a transfer of power to his son, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is imminent. The sheikh "will meet today with the royal family and advisors," the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television news channel reported yesterday

Jeddah, Jun 22: There is a possibility that the July 3 amnesty deadline for undocumented and illegal workers to correct their status will be extended, Deputy Chairman of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Mazen Batterjee said here on Friday. Speaking as chief guest at the 3rd Job Fair organized by the Consulate General of Pakistan, Batterjee said the JCCI was in contact with consulates

Jeddah, Jun 20: A call for extension of the July 3 amnesty deadline got the backing of businesspeople yesterday during their meeting with Labor Ministry officials. Muhammad Al-Subhi, a businessman, said that the mechanisms used for normalization are incorrect and disorganized. “The mechanisms were only announced six weeks after the start of the grace period. We therefore ask that the period be