News in Brief

Nuke bomb would threaten Iran: Zarif
Afp, Tehran

 
The possession of a nuclear bomb would threaten Iran's security, the country's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said in comments reported yesterday.
"We consider the possession of nuclear arms doesn't conform with the interests of the country and threatens the security of Iran," Zarif said, adding however that Iranians "will not give up their rights."

Egypt to reopen Rafah crossing
Afp, Gaza City

 
Egypt is set to reopen the Rafah crossing, a Hamas official said on Thursday, a week after Cairo closed down the Gaza Strip's only land passage that bypasses Israel.
"The Rafah crossing will reopen this Saturday for four hours daily, for humanitarian cases and Palestinians with foreign nationalities," Maher Abu Sabha, director general of border crossing for the Islamist Hamas government, said in a statement.
Egypt had "indefinitely" closed the Rafah crossing from the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave on August 15, citing security reasons behind the move a day after deadly violence nationwide.

Tunisia crisis talks fail
Afp, Tunis

 
Tunisia's opposition coalition yesterday rejected proposals by the ruling Islamists for ending a month-long political crisis, saying their offer to enter talks on a government of technocrats was insufficient.
"All negotiations without the (immediate) dissolution of the government are a waste of time," said Taieb Baccouche, a representative of the National Salvation Front.
He was speaking after meeting members of the UGTT trade union confederation, which has been mediating between the two sides and which forwarded the ruling Ennahda party's proposals.

Koreas hold talks on family reunions
Afp, Seoul

 
North and South Korea held talks yesterday on resuming reunions for families separated for decades by the 1950-53 Korean War as they seek to build on a recent easing of cross-border tensions.
The talks resumption after three years would mark a symbolic but important step.

Darfur tribal battles kill 190
Afp, Khartoum

 
Tribal fighting this month between rival Arab groups in Sudan's East Darfur killed 190 people, the United Nations said
yesterday.
According to reports received by the UN, "100 Reizegat tribesmen were killed, while on the Maaliya side 70 were reportedly killed at one location, the UN's weekly Humanitarian Bulletin said.