MIDEAST NEWS MONITOR 051408 (UPDATE 2)

ALERT IRAQ: Bomber strikes Iraq funeral

A suicide bomber has killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens more at a funeral being attended by Sunni Arab tribesmen opposed to al-Qaeda…(Aljazeera).

Full Article: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/581A35F5-6FD9-42F2-9292-42FDE480E2B4.htm

ALERT AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN: Air raid on Afghan-Pakistan border

A village on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has come under aerial assault, possibly carried out by a US drone aircraft. Residents said a house in Damadola village had been targeted and that about a dozen people had been killed…(Aljazeera).

Full Article: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CAFA5387-5D55-4B5A-9920-4B6ACDF65220.htm

ARAB LEAGUE/LEBANON: Arab League Mediates to Resolve Lebanon Crisis

An Arab League delegation was meeting with rival leaders in Beirut to mediate a settlement to deadly sectarian gunbattles that have driven Lebanon close to civil war. The meetings came as U.S. President George Bush accused Iran of trying to undermine Lebanese democracy through its support of the Shiite movement Hizbullah, which he said had turned on its own people. The Arab team, headed by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, was holding talks with members of the government and the Hizbullah-led opposition, who have been locked in a bitter political feud for 18 months…(Naharnet).

Full Article: http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&00665E49E27FC0CCC2257449006886E9

U.S./ISRAEL: President Bush Meets with Israeli President Peres

President George W. Bush and Israeli President Shimon Peres gave this joint press statement in Jerusalem on May 14, 2008...(CFR).

Full Article: http://www.cfr.org/publication/16260/president_bush_meets_with_israeli_president_peres.html

IRAN/IRAQ/U.S.: Iranian newspapers criticize US-Iraqi deal

Iranian hard-line newspapers rebuke startegic agreement between the united Sates and Iraq Hussein Shariatmadari, Adviser to the Supreme Guide of Iran criticized the strategic agreement between Iraq and the United States considering it as a return to the cold war between Iraq and Iran and the latter’s isolation. In an editorial entitled “Grand Deception” in Keyhan Newspaper, which reflects the Iranian ruling establishment’s view, Shariatmadari affirmed that his stand expresses his personal point of view and is not an official stand…(Alsumaria).

Full Article: http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-17651-Iranian-newspapers-criticize-US-Iraqi-deal.html

IRAQ: Sadr City cease fire hindered by hold ups

Cease fire in Sadr City agreed upon between the government and Al Sadr Bloc is being hindered by many stumbling blocs Cease fire in Sadr City agreed upon between the government and Al Sadr Bloc is being hindered by many stumbling blocs. These violations which threaten the effect of truce is not due to the lack of confidence between concerned parties in the field but are caused by the absence of a resolved political will and the aim of Al Mehdi Army to prevail on the ground...(Alsumaria).

Full Article: http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-17649-Sadr-City-cease-fire-hindered-by-hold-ups.html

OIL: Three oil fields discovered in Iraq

Full Article: http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-17668-Three-oil-fields-discovered-in-Iraq.html

ISRAEL: Olmert sees progress in U.S.-backed peace talks

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Wednesday that progress was being made in U.S.-backed peace talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and that "hopefully" a deal would be reached this year. "Israel continues to actively seek peace with its neighbours, especially with the Palestinians," Olmert told an audience in Jerusalem that included visiting U.S. President George W. Bush…(Reuters).

Full Article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L14871206.htm

LEBANON: Hariri Warns Hizbullah Against Targeting Akkar Mufti

Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri on Wednesday accused Hizbullah of agitating against the Mufti of Akkar Province Sheikh Usama Rifai. Hariri, in a statement, accused Hizbullah's television mouthpiece, al-Manar, of "twisting facts" regarding clashes that took place in the northern Akkar province in an attempt to depict the Syrian Social National Party (SSNP) as a "victim" and the Mustaqbal movement as the executioner. Al-Manar, according to Hariri, also agitated sectarian hatred against Sheikh Rifai. "I warn Hizbullah against repercussions of targeting Mufti Rifai," Hariri said in his statement…(Naharnet).

Full Article: http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&A4DCC8F03CD11CB2C2257449005C2077

ISRAEL/GAZA: Rocket fired from Gaza hits Israeli city, at least 14 injured

A rocket fired from Gaza exploded in a shopping center in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on Wednesday, wounding at least 14 people, rescue officials said, just as Israel's leader was discussing the violence with visiting U.S. President George W. Bush and threatening large-scale retaliation…(AP).

Full Article: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/14/africa/ME-GEN-Israel-Palestinians.php

TERRORISM: In France, 7 Are Convicted on Terrorism Charges

Prosecutors Allege Men Were Recruiting Youths to Fight U.S. in Iraq A French judge on Wednesday convicted seven men on terrorism charges for recruiting young French Muslims to fight against U.S. forces in Iraq…(Washington Post).

Full Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/14/AR2008051402250.html?nav=rss_world/mideast