President Ghani Receives OIC Ambassador

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thekabultimes.gov.af Hoot 07, 1397 HS Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Afghan govt. USD 01 GBP 01 INR 1000 PKR 1000 EUR 01 IRR 1000 AED 01 decisive in protection of AFN 74.60 AFN 97.65 AFN 1050 AFN 540 AFN 85.18 AFN 6 AFN 20.28 civilians’ life

1,000 schools should be promoted President Ghani receives professionally, President Ghani KABUL: During his visit to bution of residential lands, at- coming years. Stressing on im- Zaranj, provincial capital of tention to sportsmen, dispatch- portance of professional schools, OIC ambassador Nimroz, President Mohammad ing expert doctors and ambu- the country’s President said Ashraf Ghani met the other day lances, increasing health cen- that 1,000 schools would be pro- with university lecturers, school ters and reviewing the work on moted to professional schools. teachers, sportsmen and health Nimroz provincial hospital. He instructed governor of Nim- workers of the province. After hearing their demands roz consider proper lands in co- In the meeting, Abdul Hadi and suggestions, the country’s operation with ministry of ur- Baidar and Zahra Sultani, rep- President said that deputy min- ban development and land au- resenting others, enumerated isters of public health would thority to address problems of their demands and suggestions soon pay a visit to Zaranj to re- residential houses for sports- in connection with teachers view and take urgent steps in men and teachers town. town, increasing of teachers’ order to address the problems, President Ghani also said salaries, lack of school build- adding that funds have been pro- that the education budget would ings, lack of professional teach- vided for construction of schools be directly provided to provinc- ers, approval of some faculties, and all provinces’ needs in con- es and provincial directorates of establishment of library and nection with construction of education from now on. laboratory for university, distri- schools would be addressed in The Kabul Times

Qatar peace meeting should KABUL: President Moham- and holding Peace Consultative President Ghani praised The country’s President mad Ashraf Ghani received the Loya Jirga. Huseyin Avni Botsali for prepa- said that he hoped OIC would facilitate direct talks between ambassador of Organization of The OIC ambassador to ration of the OIC in coopera- continue its valuable discus- Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to Kabul said that Organization of tion with Afghanistan as well as sions against terrorism and ex- Kabul Huseyin Avni Botsali at Islamic Cooperation was ready successfully holding Interna- Government & Taliban, Daudzai presidential palace. for any cooperation in connec- tional Ulama Conference on tremism so that threat posed by In the meeting, both sides tion with the government and Afghanistan Peace, saying the terrorism and extremism would KABUL: The main aim of onciliation process in the coun- in the country, but are different discussed the Afghan-owned people of Afghanistan in the conference had positive results be rooted out. convening the traditional con- try, according to the agency. in practice about peace in Af- and Afghan-led peace process mentioned field. and impacts. The Kabul Times sultative Loya Jirga was to help The Loya Jirga with the par- ghanistan. “But we support the a national consensus to ticipation of about 2,000 people world agreement on peace talks strengthen peace process in the from across the country will be in Afghanistan.” country, Mohammad Omar held on March 17 and would The coming Jirga is a con- Doudzai, the country’s head of concluded on March 20, this sultative gathering of elders, CMs discusses issues on agenda High Peace Council secretariat year,” Daudzai told reporters elite personalities and young- was quoted by Bakhtar News the other day. sters that could represent the KABUL: Chaired by the Agency as saying. Daudzai who is also the spe- people, Daudzai said, hoping country’s National Unity Gov- Speaking to a media meet- cial envoy of President Moham- the coming Jirga would facili- ernment Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the council of ministers discussed a number of issues on agenda among them dispatching of the first Afghan shipment to India via the Iranian Chabahar Port, peace process and election, a statement from the CE office said Monday. The CE called successfully departure of the Afghan shipment to India a great achievement of the country and that the move would directly lay positive impact on the economic situation of Nimruz province, said the statement. ing, Daudzai who is also the mad Ashraf Ghani on ensuring tate the direct talks between About peace talks and con- presidential advisor on region- regional consensus for peace in government and the Taliban in vening the traditional Loya Jir- al consensus for Afghanistan Afghanistan also added that the near future. ga, the Chief Executive of the peace said one of the main tar- 1,100 persons out of some 2,000 Pointing to the Qatar Peace bers of both electoral commis- other terrorist groups for the position and would do more for National Unity Government get of the peace consultative jir- would represent the country’s Talks between the Taliban and sions and the Independent Hu- past year’s highly civilian death the security of the country, ac- (NUG) said the combination of ga was reaching to an intellec- 34 provinces at the Jirga and 900 the U.S. representatives, he said man Rights Commission and in the country, the statement cording to the statement. the peace negotiators from var- tual understanding and adopt- others come from the lawyers’ the negotiation should pave the said uncertainty in the human added. ious political and national in- The CE also said that eligi- ing a joint national stance about community, civil society and rights commission was not in The CE asked the related way for holding direct peace stitutions can negate the Tali- ble students should be intro- the direct and indirect peace private sectors. the interest of the country. organs for paying serious atten- talks between the government ban pretext over peace talks duced to the scholarship process, talks with the Taliban, said the The president would select Touching on the recent tion in this field. of Afghanistan and the Taliban with the government, and add- through a committee led by the agency. the Loya Jirga chairman, dur- UNAMA’s report about civilians Dr. Abdullah congratulated peace negotiators. ed that conferring was needed CE first deputy and membership Afghanistan is getting prep- ing his inaugural speech at the casualties in Afghanistan over victory of the country’s cricket He hoped Mullah Beradar, on the country’s big national aration to convene the tradition- grand assembly and then the the past year, the CE, however team against Ireland, the state- of the ministry of education, a prominent Taliban member issues and that the people wel- al Loya Jirga or grand assem- members would elect him by acknowledged some failure ment continued. higher education, foreign af- could use his influence in di- come any step taken for peace bly of chieftains and elders with- overwhelming majority of the from the country’s security forc- Meanwhile, he wished suc- fairs, admin of martyrs and dis- rect peace talks between the restoration in the country. in weeks to discuss the ways and participants, said the agency. es about the civilians’ life dur- cess to Massoud Andarabi for his abled, after seriously assessing government of Afghanistan and Dr. Abdullah asked for soon means on how to bring the Tal- Daudzai said the regional ing military operations, but new post as minister of interior the issues. the Taliban representatives. start of the selection the mem- iban outfit into negotiating ta- countries have positive view- strongly blamed the Taliban and and said he was eligible for the The Kabul Times ble and bolster the national rec- points about peace restoration The Kabul Times �� Twitter.com/thekabultimes Tuesday, February 26, 2019 Chabahar Port connecting Afghanistan with world THE KABUL TIMES Chabahar Port is not only a After opening the first Af- start work on improving Nim- Indian and Iranian governments port connecting Afghanistan ghan cargo, the country’s Pres- roz from a third-grade province to provide pavement for direct with the world but it is a port ident said that Afghanistan was to a second-grade province. transit of Afghan traders’ goods that has good transit benefits for no more a landlocked country, Officials for Afghanistan from Arabic and other regional exporting the country’s prod- adding that it was the heart of Chamber of Commerce and In- countries through Chabahar ucts to other countries of the Asia. dustries say high-ranking offi- port. world in particular India. More- For the first time, the ship- cials of Afghanistan, Iran and Chabahar Port is a key trade over, the port helps Afghanistan ment 570 tons of Afghan prod- India will participate today (Feb port, providing Afghanistan with develop its economy by export- ucts was exported to India 26) in a gathering to be held for direct sea access. In May 2016, ing its products to foreign coun- through Chabahar Port. implementation of Chabahar India, Iran, and Afghanistan tries. Addressing a ceremony in port agreement in Iran. signed an agreement on the es- Reduction of expenses in Zaranj, Ghani said that with the “It is determined that today tablishment of a Transit and transit of goods, goods safety, ob- opening of the Chabahar route, a gathering will be held Iran Transport Corridor among the servation of principles and in- the country’s exports would in- with participation of high-rank- three countries using Chabahar ternational norms in transit of crease to $2 billion from the ing officials of Afghanistan, Port as the regional hub for sea goods to other countries are a current $1 billion in the next Iran and India and the gather- transportation. number of benefits of the re- year. ing is aimed at implementation Last year in February, Iran spective port. “Today, Nimroz is turning of works on the Chabahar port,” said it had agreed to lease oper- On Sunday, President Mo- from a deprived province into a provincial chief executive of ational control of Chabahar to hammad Ashraf Ghani was in key province,” President Ghani ACCI in Herat Khalil Ahmad India for 18 months and in Zaranj city in western Nimroz said as he pointed out to the im- Yarmand said. June, India’s Union Minister province to inaugurate the first portance of the Chabahar Port He added that due to short- NitinGadkari said India is try- Afghan cargo which was for Nimroz. comings in infrastructures of ing to make Chabahar fully op- planned to be sent to India The country’s President di- the port, big ships could not erational by 2019. Editorial through Chabahar Port in Iran. rected relevant institutions to harbored in the port, asking the ShukriaKohistani Afghan govt. decisive in New electoral commissioners protection of civilians’ life to be soon selected, government Political parties, electoral candidates’ documents for ganizations said that at least 144 Meanwhile, President A new report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghan- watchdog organizations and membership of the election candidates have so far submit- Ashraf Ghani on Sunday reit- government are making effort commissions - the Independent ted their applications for mem- erated that Afghanistan’s next istan (UNAMA) said about 4,000 Afghan civilians lost their lives in to appoint new commissioners Election Commission (IEC) and bership of the election commis- presidential elections will be 2018, including a record number of children, adding militant out- for electoral commissions. Ac- the Independent Electoral sions. held as scheduled on July 20 as fits, particularly the Taliban and the Islamic State, were blamed for cording electoral watchdog or- Complaints Commission According to them, 15 can- he addressed a ceremony in nearly two-thirds of civilian casualties (63 percent) in 2018. ganizations, based on the coun- (IECC), President Ghani’s didates will be picked for fur- Nimroz province. try’s constitution, tribal combi- spokesman Haroon Chakhan- ther proceedings. A day earlier, the country’s According to the report, Afghan forces were held responsible for nation should be considered in suri told reports in a news con- Civil society organizations President reacted to reports on 14 percent, Americans for six percent of the collateral damage and appointment of new elections ference on Monday. and political parties have intro- plans for an interim govern- thegovernment-backed armedgroups allegedly killed and wounded commissioners. Chakhansuri said that so duced 84 individuals including ment in the country as part of four percent of the civilians. “Further precision needs to far, five candidates have submit- 14 women for the membership peace efforts. be followed in appointment of ted their documents through of electoral commissions. “Elections is the demand of The UNAMA report said as the conflict escalated considerably, new electoral commissions,” political parties to the working Naeem Ayoubzada, head of the people of Afghanistan and suicide bombings and related rebel assaults accounted for 42 per- Yousful Rashid, chief executive group. Transparent Election Founda- it is a constitutional need,” cent of civilian casualties.More than 50 percent of casualties from of Free and Fair Election Forum He said government would tion of Afghanistan (TEFA), be- President Ghani said. “The suicide and complex attacks were caused by Daesh. “Among the dead of Afghanistan (FEFA) said, add- continue its efforts to select the lieves that final list of presiden- presidential elections will be ing that new faces should be candidates in consultation with tial candidates has not been de- held on time. My order to all were 927 children, the highest recorded number of boys and girls appointed from different class- political parties. clared so far; therefore, those government institutions is to killed in the conflict during a single year, said UNAMA, which doc- es of Afghanistan people. “A technical meeting was voting for new electoral commis- prevent any kind of interfer- umented 3,804 civilian deaths and 7,189 injured.” Meanwhile, presidential of- held with the [political] parties sioners are in fact violating the ence,” added the country’s Pres- Meanwhile releasing a statement in response to UNAMA report, fice says political parties and which are registered in the law. ident. It is worth mentioning relevant civil society organiza- Ministry of Justice and mem- This comes after all commis- that the political parties and civil the Afghanistan National Security Council (NSC) said it had reviewed tions have sent a list of 84 peo- bers of civil society organiza- sioners from the two electoral society institutions have been the UN report on civilian casualties released on Sunday, adding it ple including 14 women to pres- tions,” Chakhansuri said. “All commissions were dismissed constantly saying that effective would start investigation in this regard. idential office and their docu- topics were explained to them. from their posts, including the and professional candidates According to NSC, the Afghan National Defense and Security Forc- ments are under preview. They have one week to intro- two chiefs, after President should be picked by government Government has created a duce their candidates.” Ashraf Ghani signed off on an to lead the election commis- es (ANDSF) have always did their best to prevent civilian casualties special working team to gather Meanwhile, civil society or- amendment to the electoral law. sions. Suraya Raiszada during military operations and the issue has always been stressed and followed. “To deceive the public minds, Taliban have always claimed they will prevent civilian casualties, but the mentioned report suggests that the group and other terrorist functions have nev- er cared about the issue.” Civilian casualties are one of the most painful aspects of conflicts in the region, in particular in Afghanistan. Non-combatants, mainly women and children, have sustained fatalities and injuries within decades in Afghanistan and the nascent democracy could not end this issue since the Taliban, ISIS and other terrorist groups continue their fight against Afghan people and the government. Peace talks The people, who are not in any way related to the conflict that takes their life, lose their lives in the most tragic manner, though they have every right to live alive. What the poor masses expect from Govt.’s a society or a state that they dwell in is the opportunities to live a happy life, unfortunately, there are many societies and states in the presence world that have not been able to provide that very basic require- ment to their people. Afghanistan is one of the same societies. Meanwhile the country’s enemies making effort to create horror and fear among the people, that is why they have always used public places including masjids as their shelter, a move has caused to rise civilian casualties. The terrorist functions even don’t care about their children and women and use them as shield. The Afghan government has been and still assuring countrymen and women that they are working on some plans to change the war strategy in a bid to identify and suppress the enemy on one hand and decrease civilian casualties on the other.Afghans have always sup- ported and cooperated with their security forces and these forces do their best to safeguard territorial integrity and people’s lives and honor. The government of Afghanistan sparing no effort to provide safe and sound environment for the citizens.Therefore, Afghan people should be cautious enough not to fall for the bogus claim of the militants or the anti-government political circles, be it in or out of the country. The militants have a highly black record in killing civilians and their concern in this regard is to provoke the public senti- ment against the government. �� Twitter.com/thekabultimes Tuesday, February 26 , 2019 Presidential elections & Daudzai briefs media editors neighboring countries’ meddling The presidential palace the presidential palace doesn’t of election observer bodies say on upcoming Loya Jirga (Arg) said that Afghans don’t comment on testimonies and that one can’t deny role of want a puppet president and the signs of above three countries’ neighboring countries of Af- KABUL: The High Peace government also doesn’t allow efforts to influence Afghanistan ghanistan in election process. Council (HPC) Secretaryand the foreign countries to influ- election process. Chairman of FEFA Yusuf Rash- President Mohammad Ashraf ence into upcoming elections. The government would de- id said, election in Afghanistan Ghani’s envoy for regional con- One of the presidential dep- clare its position on the coun- is one of the important discus- sensus on peace in Afghanistan uty spokesmen Arif Sameem tries who are influencing into sions for external countries and Mohammad Umer Daudzai met said that elections is a national Afghanistan upcoming presi- we can’t ignore efforts of these with senior heads of Kabul- process and the government dential elections. countries on impacting Afghan- based media during a consulta- tries to remove influence These utterances have tak- istan elections. tive meeting here on Sunday grounds of other countries in en place simultaneous with ex- He emphasized that frank evening at HPC press hall. this process. pression of Russian special en- signs on efforts of abovemen- During the meeting the According to Sameem, re- voy for Afghanistan Zamir Kab- tioned countries for election of HPC secretary briefed the me- tional forum based in Kabul and ferent social, cultural, civil and grams. The meeting was contin- cent utterances of president ulov in description of one of the future Afghan president have dia representatives on holding the direct negotiations between political entities and they would ued with questions from the Ghani as if Islamabad, Tehran presidential candidates Mo- not been seen yet. of upcoming Loya Jirga which government and Taliban repre- select the members of the Jirga media representative, asking and Moscow have no right to hammad HanifAtmar. Political analyst Habibullah would be held from 17 to 20 sentatives. based on specific criteria,” he the HPC officials to pay atten- elect a president to Afghans, According to Analoly New Shinwaray said, external coun- March 2019, including the Calling freedom of expres- said, adding two thousand peo- tion towards media’s role dur- hint to this issue. Agency, Zamir Kabulov has said tries specially those who fund mechanism for selecting of the sion as key achievements in last ple would attend the Jirga ing the peace talks, holding of He said, where as the Af- that Mr. Atmar has many unde- Afghanistan election have con- participants in Kabul and other 18 years, HPC secretary said where 1100 from provinces and the upcoming Loya Jirga and ghans don’t want a puppet pres- niable superiorities and he is tinuously been intending to provinces of the country. the council was committed to 900 from Kabul. membership of the journalists ident, so president Ghani has an outstanding politician with impact this process. There are Hinting to regional and na- protect such achievement dur- HPC secretary went on say- in selection committee. assured them that their right of broad base political position. speculations that some coun- tional consensus for peace in ing the peace talks. ing that 30 percent of seats were The editors of the media election of future president According to Kabulov, Mo- tries inject money among some the country and changes in po- “This is the only Loya Jirga allocated for women, adding the also raised questions on ongo- would be safeguarded. hammad Hanif Atmar is ex- election candidates to impact lices and strategies of some which would be held indepen- selection committee to select ing peace talks, government’s During his meeting on Fri- traordinary adaptable with Af- Afghanistan elections. countries, Daudzai said holding dently and without any govern- the member within a week. He programs for peace, regional day at the presidential palace ghanistan criterions, because He said taking into account of the Loya Jirga was important ment intervention. There would also said that the diplomatic meddling, upcoming elections with civil activists and youth of he knows problems of Afghani- the background of intervention for the third Kabul Process a selection committee commission to be present during the and the HPC stance. Loy Kandahar, President Ashraf stan and knows how to solve of foreign countries in Afghan- meeting which is an interna- prised of representatives of dif- inaugural and closing pro- The Kabul Times Ghani had said that Islamabad, them. istan election, it is not unlikely Tehran and Moscow have no President Ghani expres- that Pakistan, Iran and Russia right to elect a president to Af- sions that as if Pakistan, Rus- might have resorted to certain ghans. sia and Iran have no right to steps to impact Afghanistan up- People optimism on recent snowfalls President Ghani had em- elect president of Afghanistan, coming elections. But no reli- The drought in recent few some countrymen expressed cue our farmers and landown- and half fold. phasized that electing of Af- have been facing with reaction able testimony has been wit- ghanistan president is the mo- of a number of electoral teams. nessed in this issue. years had forced our great num- their hope as the following. ers from drought and harvest According to environmental nopolistic right of Afghans. But At the same time, a number Asir ber of people to leave their Sayed Mohboob Hashimi good products. experts, the water level in Kab- home villages in different prov- one of the Kabul original resi- According to Ministry of En- ul dams has increased and im- inces including Ghor, Farah, dents said, the Afghan people ergy and Water (MoEW) due to proved hopes for reduction of Badghis, Kunduz and displaced call this winter as a good and current winter snowfalls, the droughts. The officials of the Rashid hat-trick, Nabi 81 help to other areas. blessing one and take the next level of waters has increased water level National Disasters But fortunately, consecutive year as a glad tiding which are 150% and compare to the last management Authority NDMA snowfalls in current winter, the signs of plenty of blessings five years, increased 51 percent have also told the media that in Afghanistan sweep T20I series have created this hope to cattle- of Allah the Almighty. which is a good news for Af- current winter almost all prov- breeders, peasants and horti- Yaqob Shah a resident of ghans. inces have been witnessing Kevin O’Brien’s assault surged past 100 in the 12th over. choking the runs as more im- cultures that in upcoming year Qarabagh district said, current According to WATICA, cur- heavy snowfalls. In some prov- wasn’t enough as Afghanistan Stuart Thompson struck a portantly struck timely blows they would be salvating from snowfalls would cause Karazes rent winter snowfalls in 5 month inces like Herat, heavy snow- sealed their 10th consecutive timely blow by removing the Af- to derail the chase. After con- drought. and springs to be enriched and of 1397 comparing to the five falls have even caused financial T20I win over Ireland - taking ghanistan captain but it was also ceding eight in his first over - In their conversations with produce large quantity of water months of the last year of 1396 damages and casualties too. the third match by 32 runs and a period that saw Nabi tee off. the 11th of the innings - he The Kabul Times reporter, for agricultural fields and res- has increased 235 percent or two Masouda Qarizada completing a 3-0 series sweep - He had made his way to 20 off came back for his second spell in Dehradun on Sunday (Feb- 17 by then and started the as- in the 16th. th ruary 24). Afghanistan’s win was sault in the 15th over by taking On the final ball he dis- 7 round of ski competition set up by Mohammad Nabi (81 on Shane Getkate. He reached missed O’Brien for 74 to leave off 36) and Rashid Khan (5 for his half-century - off 30 deliv- an unkind cut. The drama 27) as Ireland were restricted to eries - with consecutive sixes wasn’t done yet though. Rash- 178 for 8 with the game slipping and placed Afghanistan perfect- id, bowling the 18th over, picked to be held in Bamyan away from them in the last four ly to launch a late assault. With up a hat-trick to seal the game Times snowfalls in that prov- According to Ahmadpoor, Central Bamian is one of the overs. This was Afghanistan’s 161 on the board in 16 overs, for Afghanistan. The leg spin- ince has been unprecedented the first female skiers’ compe- historical provinces where be- 10th consecutive win in the for- Nabi struck Joshua Little for 25 ner got George Dockrell caught over the last twenty years. tition is going to be held on Feb. sides two ruined Buddha Stat- He added all ski competition 28 in Shaheed Mazari Ski Park ues, its eight other historical related areas have been covered and the male skiers’ competi- monuments have been consist- by snow and further prepared tion is going to be held on March ed of UNESCO list as world the ground for skiing. 1th in Khoshkak-e-Cheqolak heritage, Ahmadpoor said. Kabul, Bamyan and ten oth- village. He added fortunately, Bam- er countries’ skiers would at- Besides ski competitions, yan has earned UNESCO Cre- tend the competition, as their handicrafts, printing publica- ative Cities Network’s member- registration is now ongoing, tions, photo, painting exhibi- ship. Ahmadpoor said. tions and some other local This is while that over the Bamyan is a province where games would be held in that past years, Bamyan’s security its mountains are covered by province, he continued. situation has been goodwhich snow for six months in a year The new building of the in- caused to draw the attention of and Baba mountains, Chehel formation and culture depart- tens of thousands of tourists. Borj fort in Yakawolang, Amir ment would also be opened and But unfortunately, now, the Dam and many other areas are new head would be introduced number of tourists has consid- 7th round of ski competition among the places which is fair for that, he stated. erably decreased, thus, it is is expected to be held in the cen- for skiing, he added. It is a matter of pleasure that hoped that holding internation- tral Bamyan province. The ski competition would Bamyan skiers have learnt ski- al ski competitions would help Acting head of Bamyan’s hold in Shaheed Mazari Ski ing in a short time and they increase the number of domes- culture and information depart- Park and Khoshkak-e- could get the first position in tic and foreign tourists to that ment Sayed Ahmad Hussaini Cheqolak village this year, he the last years which is a great province. Ahmadpoor told The Kabul went on to say. pride to Afghanistan, he said. Karima Malikzada

mat as they chase their own in the 17th over before falling at long-on on the first delivery record of 11 consecutive wins - in the 18th to Peter Chase. Ire- of his next over and then had registered between March 2016 land made a sensational come- Getkate stumped to become the to March 2017. back after the wicket - giving seventh player to take a hat- Hazratullah Zazai lit up the just 24 in the last three overs - trick in T20Is. He went on to venue with a record-breaking and restricted the damage done bag four wickets in four balls - knock last night and gave an- by the former Afghanistan cap- handing Simi Singh a first-ball other fast start to the side once tain. duck - to put his side firmly on again after Afghanistan were Ireland lost Paul Stirling top. He completed his five-wick- put in. Zazai raced to 32 off 17 early in the third over but not et haul with the wicket of Little as the hosts plundered 46 in the before they the openers added and helped Afghanistan bag a first four overs. Boyd Rankin, 32. Kevin O’Brien continued to convincing series sweep. however, struck twice in the fifth attack from one end and found Brief scores: Afghani- over to pull things back just a good support from Andrew Bal- stan 210/7 in 20 overs (Moham- touch. Afghanistan wobbled and birnie (47 off 33). The collabo- mad Nabi 81; Boyd Rankin 3- slipped to 67 for 3 before Nabi ration gave Ireland 96 runs in 53) beat Ireland 178/8 in 20 and Asghar Afghan steadied the next 10.5 overs and kept overs (Kevin O’Brien 74; Rash- things. They were involved in a them in the hunt. Rashid, as ex- id Khan 5-27) by 32 40-run stand as the team total pected, played a key role in The Kabul Times �� Provincial News Tuesday, February 26, 2019 Construction work of 5 8 militants killed in Ghazni operation projects kicked off in Sar-e-Pul KABUL: At least eight Mohammad Aref Noori in Qara Baghi region, Ghazni members of Taliban group were spokesman of Ghazni governor city, in which 8 armed opposi- SAR-E-PUL CITY: The con- killed during military opera- told BNA reporter, the military tions were killed. Six suspects struction work of five public tion carried out by Afghan se- operation has launched by sup- were arrested during the mili- utility projects has started in curity forces in Ghazni prov- port of Afghan air forces to sup- tary operation as well, Noori Sar-e-Pul province. ince press anti-government militias added. The Kabul Times Mohammad Salim Ranjber head of agriculture office in Sar-e-Pul told BNA, the projects include the construction of small water dams and agricultural water storages that will be construct in Sar-e-Pul city the provincial capital of the province. The projects will be built with a sum of over 2 million USD financed by Save the Children Office within the next three years, Ranjber added. By implementing of the projects more than 30,000 acres of lands will be irrigated and would be prevented from de- stroying of education organs, residential houses and public installations following flash floods. The Kabul Times 10 people released from Taliban prison in Balkh Seven murderers & kidnappers detained in Kunduz KABUL: Afghan national police personnel succeeded to detain seven murderers and abductors in northern Kunduz province. Enamuddin Rahmani spokesman of police chief in Kunduz told BNA reporter, four suspects accused of murder were arrested by counter-criminal police personnel in relevant areas of Kunduz city and also have arrested three suspects accused of abductor in Kunduz- Shirkhan highway. It has been the kidnappers few days ago abducted a child from Kabul and transferred to The Special Forces of the ducted in the vicinity of Chamtal district. were also wouinded and 3 mo- Kunduz, but counter-criminal Afghan Military rescued ten Chemtal district. In the meantime, the 209th torcycle were destroyed during police personnel succeeded to people from a Taliban-run pris- The statement further add- Shaheen Corps said the Afghan the same operations, the 209th identify the abductors and res- on in northern Balkh province, ed that six militants were killed armed forces conducted an op- Shaheen Corps added in its cued the child.The released the Afghan Military said Mon- during the operation and ten eration in Joi Sher area of statement. child have submitted to his fam- day. people who were kept as pris- Chamtal district at around The anti-government armed ily. The Kabul Times The 209th Shaheen Corps oners were also released. 12:30am local time which re- militants including Taliban of the Afghan Military in the According to 209th Shaheen sulted into the killing of 3 Tal- have not commented regarding North in a statement said Mon- Corps, the operation was con- iban militants. the operations so far. day that the operation was conducted in Koh Alburz area of At least 3 more militants KP Afghan Special Forces discover and destroy explosives-laden Humvee in Nangarhar Baghlan to plant a million trees under ‘peace campaign’

PUL-I-KHUMRI: Local offi- cost of all trees being planted free of cost to government or- said 500 acres of land in Baghlan cials on Sunday said one mil- but said a seedling grown by the gans and against a fair price to has been allocated for estab- lion trees would be planted in agriculture department cost 300 gardeners. lishing fruit orchards for next northern Baghlan province this afghanis which would be given Local agriculture officials solar year. (Pajhwok) spring in the name of peace. Baghlan governor Abdulhai Niamati, who inaugurated the tree plantation drive today, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the drive would be executed across the country as per orders of the president to spread the message of peace to every corner of Af- ghanistan. He said as part of the peace tree plantation campaign, over a million trees would be planted in Baghlan. Government of- The Afghan Special Forces ers. The soldiers discovered a ince leaving 19 Taliban fight- ficials have been directed to pro- have confiscated and destroyed military humvee that was like- ers dead, the sources said, add- tect the baby trees. a Humvee armored personnel ly to be used as a vehicle-borne ing that the Afghan Special Abdul Gheyas Seddiqi, carrier packed with explosives IED and it was destroyed. Forces also conducted an oper- Baghlan agriculture director, in eastern Nangarhar province The sources further added ation in Chimtal district of said, “People have a high inter- of Afghanistan. that airstrikes in Qarah Bagh Balkh province killing 3 Tali- est in planting fruit trees, 1.1 According to the informed district of Ghazni province also ban fighters. million trees would be planted military sources, the Afghan left 4 Taliban fighters dead. The anti-government armed in Baghlan and most of them Special Forces conducted a raid The security forces carried militants including Taliban would be fruit bearing trees.” in the vicinity of Nangarhar out similar airstrikes in have not commented regarding He did not know the overall province killing 2 Taliban fight- Tarinkot city of Uruzgan prov- the operations so far. KP �� Facebook.com/thekabultimes Tuesday, February 26, 2019 As Afghanistan’s capital grows, its The thrill of the danger: War residents scramble for clean water tourism in Afghanistan Seeking an “authentic” ex- strangers. But it is risky. Couch- wanderlust, hosting a foreign- perience as he backpacked surfers only have their host’s er is a chance to travel vicari- through war-torn Afghanistan, online profile and references to ously through their experienc- Dutch tourist Ciaran Barr judge their character. es, as more and more countries searched the Couchsurfing In a country where kidnap- make it all but impossible for website for locals to stay with. pings remain common and for- Afghan passport holders to ob- He found an astonishing num- eigners are highly-prized tar- tain a visa. ber of potential hosts. gets, they have no way of know- “I can make it easier for Despite the country’s decay- ing if their host is connected to them to see the beauty of this ing security, nearly 2,000 Af- criminals, who may see a chance country,” says Naser, who has ghans – the vast majority of to get rich by abducting them or hosted six guests since signing them men – have signed up to giving them up to militants. up to Couchsurfing in 2016. host guests on the social net- “You can end up with the “It’s a good experience for me – working platform, which con- Taliban,” says a diplomat in I get more friends and I know nects travellers around the Kabul, who has been involved the world better.” world with locals who are will- in negotiations to rescue kid- But his family worry that he ing to put them up for free. nap victims. “It’s naive and reck- is putting himself in danger. “You feel like you get a more less.” “They have advised me many authentic feel for the city so you That is what happened to times that this is very risky for don’t get trapped in tourist North American couple Caitlan you and for them (guests),” hotspots,” Barr, 24, says in Coleman and Joshua Boyle, Naser says. heavily-militarised Kabul, who were kidnapped while back- Elyas Yari, who became a where he spent several nights packing in Afghanistan in 2012. host in 2017 despite the objec- sleeping on a thin mattress on They were freed from the Tali- tions of loved ones, says he en- the floor of his Afghan host’s ban in 2017, along with their joys listening to his guests’ trav- bedroom. three children who were born el “experiences and their “Not that there are any in in captivity. ideas”. Afghanistan,” he adds wryly. But Norwegian tourist Jorn “It’s fun for me,” says El- Once a popular stop on the Bjorn Augestad, who has couch- yas, 19, who has received visi- well-worn hippy trail between surfed in Iraq and the Central tors from Canada, Russia, Mex- Twice a week, Farid Rahimi people displaced from the coun- go hand in hand, says the city’s lion,” said Koussay Boulaich of Europe and South Asia in the African Republic, says that gov- ico and Taiwan. Afghanistan is gets up at dawn, wraps a blan- tryside by fighting and drought. deputy mayor, Shoaib Rahim. UN Habitat, which is offering 1970s, Afghanistan has seen the ernment warnings exaggerate “not as dangerous as it looks”, ket around his shoulders to keep While some families arrived in “Humanitarian services are technical support to a govern- number of foreign travellers the dangers. he says. warm, gathers his empty jerry- recent months, others have lived meeting immediate needs, but ment project responding to the crossing its borders dwindle in “They are too careful. You But Barr and Augestad are cans, and waits beside the tap in these settlements for years. urban planning is for the long city’s urbanisation trend. the past four decades of almost have to be smart about a lot of not oblivious to the potential outside his house in a hillside In Rahimi’s case this means term,” he said. By 2050, one in two Afghans non-stop conflict. things, having contact with a pitfalls of travelling indepen- neighbourhood above Kabul. that a muddy, unpaved road While aid agencies do pro- will live in cities, Boulaich said. But dozens still make the local is the best way to stay dently in Afghanistan where the At 7am sharp, water bursts winds its way through his vide some services in urban ar- A similar shift will be needed dangerous journey every year, safe,” says Augestad, who is on Taliban and the Islamic State from the pipes, filling Rahimi’s neighbourhood and up an over- eas, especially in places where among the many humanitarian ignoring clear warnings from a mission to visit every country group terrorise much of the tank and buckets. He labours populated hill, where simple newly displaced people have set- and development groups now their own governments to stay in the world, including Syria, country. away, saving every drop until – mud or concrete houses have tled, both private companies and concentrating their work in Af- away from a country infested before his 30th birthday this “Things can go well nine out just an hour later – the last drop been built on “grab land”, the government take up large – ghanistan’s rural areas. with suicide attackers, kidnap- year. of 10 times,” says Barr, adding, falls. claimed by those who arrived in yet still insufficient – chunks “Imagine how important the pers and armed robbers, and He adds, “This is part of the “It just takes that one time “We can’t afford to miss it,” Kabul over the past decade with- of the work. correlation between urbanisa- which by some estimates is now cultural experience, seeing how when things go wrong and so far said the 35-year-old. “It’s bare- out initially registering or even “Aid professionals often dis- tion and development is,” Bou- the world’s deadliest conflict people live and hearing people’s nothing has gone wrong. He ly enough.“ purchasing the property. Elec- tinguish between humanitari- laich said. “In some areas, hu- zone. life story and getting an under- concedes, “We also have been Afghanistan’s capital is run- tricity is available sporadically, an work and development, but manitarian and development Many take their chances by standing of the country that you lucky.” ning dry – its groundwater lev- while health facilities and they are intertwined,” said Ox- work merge, supporting the gov- staying with Afghan strangers are in.” Simply put, war tourism in- els depleted by an expanding schools are either absent or far fam Afghanistan country direc- ernment in providing long-term they find through the Couch- Barr and Augestad began volves visiting a war-torn coun- population and the long-term away. A private company is in tor Ruby Ajanee. sustainable solutions, and ur- surfing network, rather than their week-long Afghan odyssey try or even an active war zone – impacts of climate change. But the process of installing water The majority of former ref- banisation has to be one of these its teeming informal settle- pipes throughout the neigh- ugees and asylum seekers re- areas.” paying for a room in a hotel pro- in the northern city of Mazar-i- which is sometimes referred to ments continue to grow as de- bourhood, but most public ser- turning from abroad, for exam- One of the government’s tected by armed guards and bul- Sharif, famous for its ancient as “danger tourism” – for lei- cades-long conflict and – more vices are yet to be provided by ple, settle in urban areas, where programmes for urban develop- let-proof doors. Blue Mosque and buzkashi, a sure, and not for work like jour- recently – drought drive people the government. they may need both short-term ment, including water, is its “Staying with people and savage version of polo played nalists or medical practitioners. like Rahimi into the cities, But when people from rural aid and and more long-lasting “City for All” scheme, which dressing to blend in a bit makes with a goat carcass. There are many obvious straining already scarce water areas leave their homes for the help. aims to turn the country’s ur- it possible to travel in Afghani- The pair met through a lo- ethical, and safety, issues per- supplies. cities, they may also leave be- “While their immediate ban migration into economic stan with not too big of a risk,” cal travel agent, who found them taining to war tourism but some With large numbers migrat- hind the humanitarian aid they needs for food and shelter are growth, increase living stan- says Barr, who – with his dark a taxi driver to take them more hardcore thrill-seeking tourists ing to Kabul, the city’s resourc- had previously relied on. addressed by humanitarian dards, and even contribute to hair and beard, and dressed in than 400km to the Afghan capi- don’t seem to mind it. Some say es are overstretched and aid Pir Mohammed arrived in agencies, the long-term devel- peace. As part of the plan, infor- the baggy pyjama-style salwar tal. they do it because it allows them agencies and the government Kabul five months ago, escap- opment needs of reintegration mal areas in Kabul are now be- kameez favoured by most Af- After reaching Kabul, the to understand the situation bet- are facing a new problem: how ing violence and bombings in are addressed by the develop- ing registered, roads are being ghan men – stands out less than deadliest place in Afghanistan ter by learning about the histo- to adjust to a shifting popula- his native Helmand province, a ment agencies, with often a dis- built, and water systems are most foreigners. for civilians, Barr and Augestad ry of the place directly from lo- tion still dependent on some Taliban heartland in southern connect from the humanitari- being set up slowly, with tech- Couchsurfing’s concept is stayed with Couchsurfing host cals, while others claim they do form of humanitarian assis- Afghanistan. an agencies,” Ajanee said. nical help from international like a modern-day version of Af- Naser Majidi, 27, who works as it to help the economy. Unfor- tance. The 35-year-old had hoped “These two sectors have to work agencies. ghanistan’s tradition of hospi- a technical advisor for a water tunately, there are also those Farid Rahimi prepares to fill the move would make his life together seamlessly where hu- Mohammed Atik, 60, lives in tality, which obliges Afghans to utility company. who engage in war tourism be- jerrycans with water. His fami- safer and easier. But the family manitarian effort is linked with a Kabul neighbourhood cur- provide food and shelter to For Afghans consumed by cause it’s “cool”. Star2 ly has access to clean drinking lives in a tent in the middle of development work.” rently undergoing development. water twice a week for only an Afghanistan’s bitter winter; his Comparatively, urban resi- “The government has built hour. Rahimi fills up every cousin has pneumonia. dents are still better off than the pipes in our area. There are available bucket and jerrycan “It’s just so cold. In Hel- their rural counterparts. The none in my house yet, but I do to make sure the water lasts mand, we received some assis- proportion of people with access see progress,” he said. through the rest of the week. tance. Here, we were told the to basic water is 63 percent coun- For now, however, his house- Rahimi came to Kabul nine government would help us, but trywide – 89 percent for the ur- hold well has dried up. He gets years ago to find safety and bet- nothing has happened so far,” ban population and 53 percent water for his family only by fill- ter job opportunities, but he Mohammed said, while digging for rural households, according ing up buckets at a neighbour’s says it hasn’t been easy. He now a trench outside his shelter to to UNICEF. But migration pat- house, and he’s worried what shares his house with 12 family prevent water from leaking into terns and a changing climate will happen if this supply also members and each month he the tent. point to long-term strains on evaporates. pays a steep 1,500 Afghani, or Pir Mohammed shovels dirt water supplies. “I just hope we don't run $20, for water from a private in front of his cousin's tent. His Afghanistan is one of the further out of water,” Atik said. company. family arrived in Kabul five world’s top eight countries af- “We’re already using a lot less “Last year we shut down our months ago, fleeing fighting fected by climate change-in- than a few years ago.” well,” Rahimi said. “There and air strikes in Helmand prov- duced water shortages, says In Rahimi’s hillside neigh- wasn’t any water left. A few ince. He says it’s safer in Kab- Paulos Workneh, who heads the bourhood, the government has years ago, the situation was a ul, but he can’t access the hu- water, sanitation and hygiene promised to pave the road in the lot better.” manitarian aid he relied on back programme for UNICEF in Af- coming months, while mainly The UN says more than half home. ghanistan. As groundwater de- private companies supply the a million people in Afghanistan Much of the snow falling teriorates, city dwellers are available water. were forced to leave their homes onto the family’s home is melt- robbed of their main source of Merza Mohammed, a 42- in 2018 due to conflict and ed and used as drinking water. clean water. year-old employee with Absha- drought. An even greater num- The current winter has been “Most of Kabul’s water was ran Tagyet, the company laying ber of Afghans, more than harsh, with temperatures drop- accessed through wells, but the pipes down Rahimi’s street, said 800,000, returned from Pakistan ping well below zero most situation is now under stress,” and Iran during the same year. nights. Workneh said. “Surface water the new infrastructure will About seven percent of Kabul’s Alison Parker, UNICEF’s is polluted by industrial waste, serve roughly 1,300 households population are either displaced communications chief, said the pit latrines and chemicals leap- – though at a price more expen- by war or returnees who previ- urban shift means aid groups ing into the rivers. With rain- sive than the city government’s ously fled the country, accord- must also rethink how to help fall patterns decreasing, sourc- standard rates. ing to estimates from the UN’s people who may still need as- es don’t fill up as quickly any- “We’re a local business sup- migration agency, IOM. sistance in the cities. more.” plying areas that the govern- The majority migrate to- “Rurally, it’s easier because While Kabul is starting to ment has not yet reached,” he ward cities, which are now home you engage with communities tackle the issue of informally said. to one third of Afghanistan’s at the local level. In Kabul, we built properties – including the A few years ago, water was population of 36 million. Ac- need to engage with the govern- registration of many houses ini- more widely available through- cording to UN Habitat, 80 per- ment and other actors,” Parker tially constructed without per- out the city. But prices have cent of urban areas in Kabul are said. “It needs a shift in thought mission – one fact remains: the more than doubled, he said. informal settlements. and more players need to be on capital grew too quickly. “Today, we’re scrambling. Kabul’s outskirts are home board.” “The city had 4.6 million Water is becoming a pricey com- to informal settlements where Yet city planning and hu- people in 2002 and, by 2012, the modity in Afghanistan.” the majority of residents are manitarian work often do not numbers went up to 7.1 mil- IRINNEWS �� Israel burying nuclear waste in Syria’s Golan: UN UN chief Antonio Guterres will unveil Monday a report which accuses Israel of burying radioactive nuclear waste in the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory under occupation for over five decades. Guterres will submit the report - which is based on Syria’s charges against Israel - to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the panel's 40th session, set to open in Geneva Monday and run through March 22. “The Syrian Arab Republic noted that Israel continued to bury nuclear waste with radioactive content in 20 different areas populated by Syrian citizens of the occupied Syrian Golan, particularly in the vicinity of al-Sheikh Mountain,” the report says. “The practice has put the lives and health of Syrians in the occupied Syrian Golan in jeopardy, and constituted a serious violation Founded in 1962 of the Fourth Geneva Convention," it added. Israel is the only possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, but its policy is to neither confirm nor deny having atomic www.facebook.com/thekabultimes twitter.com/thekabultimes bombs. The regime is estimated to have 200 to 400 nuclear warheads in its arsenal. Presstv

Hoot 07, 1397 HS Tuesday, February 26, 2019 thekabultimes.gov.af Trump: No rush on N. Korea denuclearization if pause on weapons tests continues Venezuela: Pressure mounts on Maduro US President Donald Trump toward the complete denuclear- Trump, speaking in Wash- has said he would be happy as ization of the Korean peninsu- ington on the eve of his depar- as US plans 'concrete steps' long as North Korea maintains la, but their vague agreement ture for Vietnam, said he be- its pause on weapons testing, has produced few results. US lieved he saw eye to eye with and he was in no rush to strike Democratic senators and secu- Kim and that they had devel- a nuclear deal with its leader, rity officials have warned Trump oped “a very, very good relation- Kim Jong Un, when they hold against cutting a deal that would ship”. “I’m not in a rush. I don’t their second summit this week. do little to curb North Korea’s want to rush anybody,” Trump The two leaders will meet nuclear ambitions. said. “I just don’t want testing. in Hanoi on Wednesday and As Kim made his way across As long as there’s no testing, Thursday, eight months after China by train for the summit, we’re happy.” North Korea con- their historic summit in Sin- North Korean state media ducted its last nuclear test, its gapore, the first between a sit- warned Trump on Sunday not sixth, in September 2017. It last ting US president and a North to listen to US critics who it said tested an intercontinental bal- Korean leader. were disrupting efforts to im- listic missile in November 2017. There they pledged to work prove ties. Reuters

Venezuelan President Nico- matic heavyweight in Latin the liberation effort of Venezu- ezuela". Maduro, who retains las Maduro is facing growing in- America which has the region's ela." Colombia's President Ivan the backing of China and Rus- ternational pressure after his largest economy, called on "the Duque in a tweet denounced sia, which both have major en- troops repelled foreign aid con- international community, espe- Saturday's "barbarity", saying ergy sector investments in Ven- voys at the country's borders, cially those countries that have Monday's summit would discuss ezuela, says the opposition's aid with the United States threat- not yet recognised Juan Guaido "how to tighten the diplomatic efforts are part of a US-orches- ening new sanctions and Brazil as interim president, to join in siege of the dictatorship in Ven- trated coup. Aljazeera urging allies to join a "liberation effort". Juan Guaido, Venezuela's self-declared interim president, Iraq’s president in Paris to urged the international community on Sunday to consider "all measures" to overthrow discuss fight against ISIS Maduro after clashes at border Bangladesh crossings left at least three pro- Iraqi President Barham of French citizens who traveled committed their crimes,” ac- testers dead and 300 others Saleh is starting a two-day visit to fight with ISIS and are now cording to the French foreign EU-Arab League summit wounded near the Brazilian police say to France with a focus on the being detained by the US-led affairs ministry. The French border. country’s security and the fight coalition’s forces. The US has presidency said France intends suspected plane The opposition leader's call in Egypt is 'insignificant, against ISIS in the region. called for countries to take back to reaffirm its full support to came in the face of a meeting of Saleh will have a working and try their own nationals. Iraq to face challenges regard- hijacker carried the regional Lima Group of na- ceremonial' tions in Bogota on Monday that lunch Monday with French Pres- France’s official position states ing security, stability, inclusive ident Emmanuel Macron. They that French “terrorist” fighters governance and the country’s toy gun Arab and European leaders fruitful will come out of the will be attended by US Vice are expected to discuss the case “must be tried wherever they reconstruction. AP are convening on Sunday in "ceremonial" meeting, which President Mike Pence. A Bangladeshi man who Pence is set to announce was shot dead after he tried Egypt's Red Sea resort city of has been dubbed a "publicity Sharm el-Sheikh for the first stunt" for el-Sisi. "concrete steps" and "clear ac- to hijack a plane had been tions" at the meeting to address carrying a toy gun and did ever EU-Arab League summit as "I personally do not expect the crisis, a senior US adminis- not have any explosives on the region faces turmoil and much from this summit. It is too tration official said on Sunday, him, police said on Monday. political challenges. big to have the participants The passenger had tried Overshadowed by internal agree on any of the issues that declining to provide details. to enter the cockpit of a divisions and regional issues, are on the table for discussion," The US last month imposed state-run Biman Bang- including the murder of Saudi said Marwan Kabalan, a Syri- crippling sanctions on the ladesh Airlines flight after journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an writer and researcher at the OPEC nation's oil industry, squeezing its top source of for- waving a gun and threaten- the Gulf crisis, regional wars, Doha-based Arab Center for eign revenue. ing to blow up the plane, air- and Brexit, the two-day summit Research and Policy Studies. US Secretary of State Mike line and aviation authority aims to "strengthen Arab-Euro- Kabalan believes the sum- Pompeo said he was confident officials said. pean ties", according to an EU mit will endorse el-Sisi as a re- "The pistol with the sus- that "Maduro's days are num- statement. gional leader despite his gov- pect was a toy pistol and he bered," blaming the border vio- had no bomb attached to his At least 24 European lead- ernment's controversial poli- lence on armed supporters body," Kusum Dewan, addi- ers will be welcomed by Egyp- cies that have unleashed a known as "colectivos". tional commissioner of po- tian President Abdel Fattah el- crackdown on dissent in the "We're aimed at a singular lice in the southeastern city Sisi, who will be co-chairing the country. mission - ensuring the Venezu- of Chittagong told Reuters summit with European Coun- Last week, Egyptian author- elan people get the democracy news agency. cil President Donald Tusk. ities executed nine suspected they so richly deserve," he said "He appeared to be men- Leaders including German Muslim Brotherhood members on CNN's State of the Union Algerian police use tear gas as rare anti- tally imbalanced. We heard Chancellor Angela Merkel and convicted of involvement in the programme on Sunday. he had a personal issue with Italian and British prime min- assassination of Egypt's top President Donald Trump government protests enter third day his wife and demanded to isters, Giuseppe Conte and prosecutor Hisham Barakat. has in the past said military in- speak to the prime minister. Theresa May, will be in atten- No one claimed responsibil- tervention in Venezuela was Algerian police fired tear say is being ruled in his name radio, Meriem Abdou, said in a But we are still investigat- dance. ity for the 2015 attack against "an option", and following the gas to disperse hundreds of by advisers. The authorities say statement announcing that she ing. We don't want to come It remained unclear how Barakat, but authorities blamed Venezuelan opposition's failure demonstrators on a third he still has a firm grip on af- had decided to quit. to any conclusion right many countries of the 22-mem- members of the outlawed Mus- to penetrate government block- straight day of rare political pro- fairs despite the rarity of his Since the ruling FLN party now," said the commission- ades, some in Washington tests against plans for rarely appearances. picked Bouteflika as its presi- er. ber Arab League are attending lim Brotherhood of overthrown The flight left the capi- the summit. President Mohamed Morsi. stepped up the belligerent rhet- seen President Abdelaziz Boute- “People do not want Boutef- dential candidate, several par- tal Dhaka at 4:35pm, head- Saudi King Salman bin Ab- Earlier this month, Egypt's oric. flika to extend his 20-year rule lika,” the crowd chanted at a ties, trade unions and business ing for Dubai. dulaziz arrived in Sharm el- parliament backed a proposal to US Senator Marco Rubio, by seeking a fifth term. protest called by an opposition organizations have already said About 40 minutes after Sheikh on Saturday. It was not extend the former general's rule an influential voice on Venezu- Thousands have taken to group, Mouwatana. A Reuters they would back him. A weak and taking off, the pilot made an yet known if his son, Crown until 2034 - a move that has gar- ela policy in Washington, said the streets of the capital and journalist saw tear gas being divided opposition faces high emergency landing in Chit- Prince Mohammed bin Salman, nered widespread criticism the violence on Saturday had other cities since Friday calling fired to disperse crowds. Jour- hurdles in mounting an elector- tagong after a crew member who has been under mounting from opposition figures and ac- "opened the door to various po- on the authorities to abandon nalists working for state media al challenge. Bouteflika has not reported "suspicious behav- international pressure over the tivists. tential multilateral actions not plans for Bouteflika, 81, to protested against what they said directly addressed the protests. iour" by the man, said Reza- Khashoggi murder, would also Similarly, Mahjoob Zweiri, on the table just 24 hours ago". stand in a presidential election were orders from managers not The authorities announced ear- ul Karim, an official with the join the meetings. a Jordanian expert on Middle Later, he tweeted out pic- scheduled to be held on April to cover the marches. “The de- lier this week that he would be Bangladeshi military's in- On the agenda, which offi- East politics, said the Egyptians tures of anti-American politi- 18. cision of our hierarchy to ig- travelling to Geneva for unspec- ter-service public affairs of- cials struggled to settle on, are want to maintain the Arab cians including Panama's Man- Bouteflika, in office since nore the big protests of Friday, ified medical checks, although fice. the issues of migration, securi- League as a tool to help give uel Noriega, Libya's Muammar 1999, suffered a stroke in 2013. February 21, shows the hell of there was no official confirma- Commandos fired at the ty, the Middle East peace pro- them political leverage in the Gaddafi and Romania's Nicolae He has since been seen in pub- our situation,” said a statement tion he had left. State media suspect after he pretended to Ceausescu at the height of cess, and the wars in Yemen, Arab world. lic only a handful of times and released by journalists working quoted a letter in Bouteflika’s shoot at them with the fake their power and then brutal Syria, and Libya - countries that "Without the League, Egypt has given no public speeches in for state radio. “I categorically name read out at a government pistol when asked to surren- downfall, in a not-so-subtle sug- suffer from armed conflict, po- has nothing, no impact whatso- years. refuse to endorse a behavior oil and gas industry event in the der, army Major General gestion being that Maduro him- litical deadlock, and economic ever," Zweiri told Al Jazeera. His opponents say there is that doesn’t respect the most southern town of Adrar as say- Motiur Rahman told report- self could suffer a similar fate. no evidence he is in fit health elementary rules of our job,” a ing: “Continuity is the best op- ers, according to ATN TV deterioration. "Even while it's dysfunctional, Meanwhile, Brazil, a diplo- news. AFP But analysts say nothing they will keep it going." AP to lead the country, which they star reporter and editor for state tion for Algeria.” Alarabiya ��