[Gucho]

281 people arrested in Iraq for terror-related attacks -- spokesman

BAGHDAD, Aug 21 (KUNA) -- Up to 281 people have been arrested around Iraq for being implicated in terror-related attacks, said spokesman for the Iraqi government Laith Kibba on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference, he said that among those arrested were 80 Egyptians, 64 Syrians, 41 Sudanese, 22 Saudis, 17 Jordanians, 10 Palestinians, seven Libyans, six Tunisians, as well as 12 Iranians, four Turks and one British national.

He added that all those arrested would stand before Iraqi courts, warning that terrorism in Iraq may spread to neighboring states if not countered.

Kibba expressed hope that Jordan would sign a security agreement with Iraq so as to allow for the pursuit of terrorists in its territories, adding that new laws would be passed allowing for aiding families for those killed in terrorist attacks.

http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=762244

[Gucho]

Jordan Nabs Prime Suspect in Navy Ship Attack



The USS Ashland dock landing ship.

Monday, August 22, 2005

AMMAN, Jordan — A Syrian linked to an Iraqi-based terrorist group has been arrested as the prime suspect in the rocket attack that barely missed U.S. warships docked in the port of Aqaba (search), the Jordanian government said Monday.

The government statement, read on state television, said the suspect, Mohammed Hassan Abdullah al-Sihly (search), plotted and carried out the attack along with two of his sons and an Iraqi.

The statement said the plotters were part of an Iraq-based terrorist group, which was not named. more...

[Gucho]

Israel evacuates last Gaza settlement


Houses in the Jewish settlement of Peat Sadeh, southern Gaza Strip, come down on Aug.21, as Israel's withdrawal enters its final stages. (AP/David Guttenfelder)

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

NETZARIM: Settlers left the Gaza Strip’s last Jewish enclave on Monday to complete the evacuation of the territory after nearly four decades of occupation.

“It’s basically finished,” Maj Gen Dan Harel, chief of Israel’s southern command, told reporters in Netzarim, where soldiers were trying to coax a last scattering of settlers to board buses to Israel.

But in the West Bank, radicals opposed to ceding settlements dug in for a last stand at two enclaves that also are due to be removed under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s pullout plan.

In Netzarim, there was no sign of the noisy protests or burning barricades that greeted the evacuation of some of the other 20 settlements in Gaza last week. Soldiers joined settlers in two hours of tearful prayers. Then, men hugged each other and set off on a mournful last procession carrying on their shoulders the large candelabra, or menorah, they removed from the synagogue. “We are leaving against our will, but we are not going with our heads bowed,” said Rabbi Tzion Tzion-Tawil.