WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 16 Pages Price 20,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13295 Thursday JANUARY 3, 2019 Dey 13, 1397 Rabi’ Al thani 26, 1440 ‘Is anything left for Iran attracts higher Not easy to win Asian Iran to organize exhibition Trump to withdraw foreign tourists despite Cup title, Iran defender of theatrical productions from,’ Zarif asks 2 sanctions 10 Hosseini says 15 at Fajr festival 16 $215m to be earmarked for Anzali See page 2 wetland nano bioremediation SOCIETY TEHRAN — A total mental conditions to stimulate growth deskbudget of 9 trillion ri- of microorganisms and degrade the target Trump’s als (nearly $215 million) will be allocated pollutants. In many cases, bioremediation to implement a scheme on restoration of is less expensive and more sustainable the endangered Anzali wetland in northern than other remediation alternatives. province of Gilan by removing contaminants The scheme was proposed by research- using domestic bioremediation nano-tech- ers at Isfahan Science and Technology nology, ISNA reported on Wednesday. Town and approved by the Department Bioremediation is a process used to of Environment, so a memorandum of secret Iraq treat contaminated water, soil and sub- understanding has been signed to revive surface material, by altering environ- the wetland. 12 ‘Resistance only way for Palestinians visit exposed to regain their rights’ POLITICS TEHRAN — Irani- the only way is to resist and fight to deskan President Hassan regain their rights,” he said during a Rouhani said on Tuesday that resistance meeting with Ziad al-Nakhala, sec- is the only way for Palestinians to fight retary general of the Islamic Jihad the Zionist regime of Israel and regain movement, and his accompanying defeat their rights. delegation. “Israelis have never accepted the Rouhani noted that all Muslims should Palestinian people’s rights in spite of get united to help Palestinians in their the Oslo and Madrid agreements. So, struggle for their rights. 2 Lebanon ‘close to forming government early in new year’ Following a lengthy meeting with Leb- that a national unity government needed anese President Michel Aoun, Prime to be established in order to combat the Minister-designate Saad Hariri says the country’s tough economic situation. two sides are “determined” to form a new “We have fallen behind - we must form government early in the New Year as part the government,” he said. of efforts to end an eight-month political The prime minister-designate said stalemate. only one issue remained in the process, Hariri, who was speaking at the pres- and that the two officials were working president.ir idential palace on Tuesday evening, said to resolve it. 13 ARTICLE In a first, Iran, Taliban discuss ‘post-occupation scenario’ in Afghanistan REPORT Syed Zafar Mehdi By Syed Zafar Mehdi to them. However, it has been open for talks India, which had maintained ambiguous stand on Hamid Bayati Journalist TEHRAN — Putting speculation to rest, with important regional powers. ‘peace talks’ with the Taliban, also joined the table. Tehran Times journalist from New Delhi it was finally confirmed this week that the Taliban has maintained that the first con- China has also shown active involvement in government of Iran held talks with a Taliban dition for ending the war in Afghanistan is the the war-ravaged country recently. Senior officials delegation on “post-occupation situation” withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from the of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan have held Remembering Baqir in Afghanistan. country. Although Donald Trump announced two trilateral talks on Afghan peace process in A spy who is no The announcement assumes significance for the partial withdrawal of U.S. forces recently, recent months. al-Nimr, symbol of several reasons. The security situation in the around 7,000 U.S. troops are still stationed there. Pakistan, which is an important regional player longer popular war-ravaged country has alarmingly deteriorated In recent months, after Trump appointed and enjoys leverage over the insurgent group, has resistance in recent years, and the foreign powers led by former diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad as a ‘peace pledged its support to the peace process. Paki- zipi Livni, chair of the Kulanu U.S. have finally admitted defeat after 17 years. envoy’, hectic negotiations have been reported stan’s foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Party (right), is not feeling well Either we live on this land as free Today, as the war imposed by the U.S. stretches between the Taliban and the U.S. in Qatar and has made many trips to Kabul recently, and par- Tthese days. She has started her men, or die and be buried in it as pi- into its 18th year, Taliban controls or contests UAE. However, the ‘talks’ have failed to produce ticipated in talks hosted by Moscow and Doha. carrier as spy in the Zionist regime, “ous men. We have no other choice,” around half of the country and launches complex a breakthrough. Iran, an important regional player, has always then entered Israel’s political system Sheikh Baqir al-Nimr famously said attacks on a daily basis. Moscow also hosted a historic summit on Af- been the supporter of Afghan peace process. Al- and later became foreign minister; in 2011. He walked the talk, refused Despite unconditional peace offers from the ghanistan last month which saw participation though there had been reports of talks between during the Prime Minister Ehud Ol- to pledge allegiance to the despotic government in Kabul led by President Ashraf of representatives of many countries, besides a Tehran and Taliban in the past but it was not mert’s term, she was named as the rulers of his land, refused to accept Ghani, the insurgent group has refused to talk high-profile Taliban delegation. Countries like confirmed. 6 future prime minister of Israel. Now, humiliation, and chose to die with she has turned into a figure that can dignity and honor. easily be pushed aside. On Wednesday, people of the free Turkish-backed forces fully withdraw from Manbij front lines These developments occur as the world marked third martyrdom an- Zionist regime plans to hold an early niversary of this great flag bearer of Turkish-backed forces have completely withdrawn Syrian Democratic Forces since 2016, but Turkey backtracking on his initial order for a rapid election on April 9. resistance, the beloved leader of the from the front lines with Kurdish-led fighters has vowed to dislodge SDF fighters there. withdrawal. Leaving the left-wing party campaigners of truth and justice, who near Manbij in north east Syria, the Syrian Ob- The military build-up followed President Trump unexpectedly announced the troop Since the announcement of the laid down his life to uphold the lofty servatory for Human Rights said Wednesday. Donald Trump’s surprise announcement that pull-out on December 19, and U.S. media, citing early election, there have been three principles exemplified by his leader Reinforcements that had recently been sent U.S. troops would pull out from Syria, leaving military officials, reported the withdrawal would major changes in the Israeli political and the ‘master of martyrs’ in the de- to support operations in Manbij withdrew to Manbij residents exposed to a longstanding threat take place within 30 days. arrangement. The most dramatic one sert plains of Karbala 1400 years ago. bases on the outskirts of the city, the activist of attack by Turkey. But on Monday, the New York Times reported happened on Tuesday, when Avraham On January 2, 2016, Saudi Ara- group said. Trump gives about four months that Trump privately told Paul J LaCamera, the “Avi” Gabbay, the current leader of bian authorities executed 47 people, The Turkish government has yet to respond for Syria troop pullout commander of U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, last the Israeli Labor Party and the former including Shaheed Nimr, on dubious to the report. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has week that he could have several months to pull leader of The Zionist Union, caught charges like ‘disobeying the ruler’ and Turkey had been massing troops near Man- agreed to allow about four months for the U.S. the some 2,000 U.S. troops out. Livini off guard and sacked her on ‘encouraging, leading and participat- bij after Syrian government forces deployed military to pull its troops out of Syria, the New Military officials declined the New York Times’s live TV. ing in demonstrations’. The trial was last week around the city at the request of York Times reported on Monday, citing admin- request to specify when the departure will take During a televised press conference marked by many glaring inconsistencies the Kurds. istration officials. place. The newspaper noted the security con- where the Israeli leaders were to react and authorities blatantly violated his The strategic northern city on the Turkish The report came after Trump tweeted that cerns and that officials are aware that Trump to political events, Gabby called the right to a fair trial. It was a brazen, border has been controlled by the U.S.-backed “we’re slowly sending our troops back home”, may change his mind at any time. 13 Kulanu leader’s loyalty questionable deliberate miscarriage of justice. in the union and said he is ending his Shaheed Nimr, who belonged to partnership with Livni. Shia-dominated Awamiyah village in Zionist union in 2015 was formed Qatif region of Saudi Arabia, was a vocal by the partnership of Labor Party led critic of the despotic Saudi monarchy. He Exhibition by Gabbay, and Kulanu led by Livni exercised his right to free speech to voice before the 2015 spring elections.