PARIS: The raid in the Paris region comes amid fears that European extremists who once joined jihadi groups in Afghanistan or Iraq are now joining radical fighters in the civil war in Syria and the conflict in Mali.
The Paris prosecutor s office said the four people were detained in Tuesday s operation as part of an investigation into a French-Malian man arrested around the Mali-Niger border last year.
Interior Minister Manuel Valls said the operation targeted those seeking to join foreign fighters in the Mali region, and that French authorities are monitoring several cells or networks suspected of sending fighters abroad.
He said a "handful" of French extremists are in the region around Mali, which France fears could become a haven for international terrorists.
The French military launched a military intervention in Mali last month targeting al-Qaida-linked extremists.
The extremists had seized power in the north last year and imposed harsh Islamic rule on residents, and then started advancing toward the capital. Other African countries are also taking part in the military intervention.
French authorities fear retaliatory attacks by those linked to the extremists targeted in the Mali operation.
Meanwhile, French authorities say French extremists are also trying to join radical fighters in Syria, where a melange of anti-government forces is resisting a nearly 2-year-old crackdown by President Bashar Assad s military.
France has sided with the Syrian political opposition, saying Assad has lost his legitimacy, but is trying to crack down on any French people who seek to use the war in Syria to push extremist goals.
"Several dozen French people or French residents have already gone to Syria, often in groups controlled by al-Qaida, and there are also some individuals who want to go to the Sahel (around Mali), so we have to prevent them, arrest them and neutralize them," Valls said.
Tuesday s arrests were part of the investigation into Ibrahim Ouattara, a 24-year-old native of the northern Paris suburb of Aubervilliers, the Paris prosecutor s office said. Outtara, a dual French-Malian national, was arrested in November.
He has a history of trips to regions where Islamist radicals are active, including countries like Yemen and Somalia.
Separately, a 27-year-old Frenchman was arrested in August in Niger and has since been handed over to authorities in France.
Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, is one of three extremist groups that have taken control of the northern half of Mali. The group is made up mainly of foreign fighters.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Karzai confirms he will step down in 2014
OSLO: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai confirmed Tuesday in Oslo that he plans to step down next year when his mandate expires.
"The question of me staying as the president beyond 2014 is out of the question," Karzai said when reporters asked about recent speculation that he was keen to stay on.
"Neither am I seeking a third term, nor does the constitution allow it. There will be an election and a new president will come," he said.
Karzai was elected in 2004, and re-elected in 2009 in a vote marred by accusations of fraud.
Afghanistan s next presidential election is scheduled for April 2014, just a few months before the end of NATO s mission.
Karzai has previously said he would not stay in power beyond 2014, including at a meeting with US President Barack Obama last month, amid some concern that he could try to cling to power.
During his visit to Oslo, Norway said it would continue to help the country until 2017, with annual aid of 750 million kroner (101 million euros, $137 million). Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, and one of the most corrupt.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said the aid agreement -- which formalises previously-made pledges -- would depend on Afghan authorities commitment to "good governance, the rule of law, human rights, transparency and democracy."
"We have zero tolerance for corruption," he stressed, noting that Oslo had suspended development aid in the past when funds had been misappropriated.
Afghanistan, the second-biggest recipient of Norwegian aid, is ranked as one of the most corruption-riddled countries in the world alongside North Korea and Somalia, according to graft watchdog Transparency International.
"The question of me staying as the president beyond 2014 is out of the question," Karzai said when reporters asked about recent speculation that he was keen to stay on.
"Neither am I seeking a third term, nor does the constitution allow it. There will be an election and a new president will come," he said.
Karzai was elected in 2004, and re-elected in 2009 in a vote marred by accusations of fraud.
Afghanistan s next presidential election is scheduled for April 2014, just a few months before the end of NATO s mission.
Karzai has previously said he would not stay in power beyond 2014, including at a meeting with US President Barack Obama last month, amid some concern that he could try to cling to power.
During his visit to Oslo, Norway said it would continue to help the country until 2017, with annual aid of 750 million kroner (101 million euros, $137 million). Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, and one of the most corrupt.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said the aid agreement -- which formalises previously-made pledges -- would depend on Afghan authorities commitment to "good governance, the rule of law, human rights, transparency and democracy."
"We have zero tolerance for corruption," he stressed, noting that Oslo had suspended development aid in the past when funds had been misappropriated.
Afghanistan, the second-biggest recipient of Norwegian aid, is ranked as one of the most corruption-riddled countries in the world alongside North Korea and Somalia, according to graft watchdog Transparency International.
Taliban courts operating in Karachi
KARACHI: According to Dunya News a terror suspect Tehseen Mehsood has made some alarming revelations during interrogation by police.
He has said that Taliban courts were operating in Saultanabad, Mango Pir, Ittihad Town and Suhrab Goath areas.
The accused revealed that a Qazi is appointed in these courts according to the nature of the case and he himself had served as a Qazi in three cases.
He has said that Taliban courts were operating in Saultanabad, Mango Pir, Ittihad Town and Suhrab Goath areas.
The accused revealed that a Qazi is appointed in these courts according to the nature of the case and he himself had served as a Qazi in three cases.
Asma doesn't qualify for caretaker PM slot: PTI
LAHORE: A Spokesman of Pakistan Tereek-e-Insaf said that the problem with Ms.Jehangir’s nomination was not her person but that she does not fit the qualifications that the party thinks are necessary for a caretaker Prime Minister.
It be recalled said the spokesman that PTI had laid down three necessary preconditions before somebody could be considered for the most important post of caretaker Prime Minister during the election period.
These are: The person nominated should be completely neutral; the person nominated should respect national institutions particularly the judiciary. The person nominated should have the necessary administrative experience to run the machinery of the state for the caretaker period and particularly able to ensure a free and fair election.
The spokesman said Asma Jehangir does not fit any of the above three criterion. She has frequently attacked Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf in the past and continues to do so.
According to her published statements, Ms Jehangir has termed PTI a “progeny of the establishment” and handmaiden of those wanting to derail democracy. These statements of hers have been spread over the last three years and show a consistent pattern of anti PTI behavior, the spokesman added.
It be recalled said the spokesman that PTI had laid down three necessary preconditions before somebody could be considered for the most important post of caretaker Prime Minister during the election period.
These are: The person nominated should be completely neutral; the person nominated should respect national institutions particularly the judiciary. The person nominated should have the necessary administrative experience to run the machinery of the state for the caretaker period and particularly able to ensure a free and fair election.
The spokesman said Asma Jehangir does not fit any of the above three criterion. She has frequently attacked Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf in the past and continues to do so.
According to her published statements, Ms Jehangir has termed PTI a “progeny of the establishment” and handmaiden of those wanting to derail democracy. These statements of hers have been spread over the last three years and show a consistent pattern of anti PTI behavior, the spokesman added.
Kashmir Council EU and Kashmir Centre Holland held demonstration on solidarity day
Den Haag: Kashmir Council EU and Kashmir Centre Holland jointly organised a demonstration on 5th February in DEN HAAG Netherland.
Like Pakistan, the solidarity Day observed on 5th February in Europe to renew commitment to continue supporting the Kashmiris brethren for their right to self-determination.
The demonstration was headed by Chairman Kashmir Council EU, Ali Raza Syed and Executive Director Kashmir Centre Holland Raja Zaib Khan.
Despite of heavy snowfall, a large number of the people attended the demonstration in front of the Dutch Parliament.
Addressing the rally, Chairman Kashmir Council EU, Ali Raza Syed said, we express complete solidarity with the Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Kashmiris are struggling for their right to self-determination for more than 60 years.
He said, the voices of cries from the Kashmir are being reached in all over the world. We are struggling to make awareness among the Europeans on Kashmir issue. We would continue our comprehensive move to obtain further European sympathy and friendship with the Kashmiris.
It is clear fact that grave atrocities are being committed against the people of Jammu and Kashmir and every day is witnessed of killings of innocent Kashmiris including women and children. People in Indian Held Kashmir particularly youth are being disappeared and large scale unnamed graves were discovered in the valley but no one of the world powers supports the Kashmiris and neither any international organization pays any attention on the cries.
He said, about 800,000 Indian forces are deployed in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) and they are involved in the atrocities against the innocent people of the held territory.
The participants of the demonstration called upon the United Nations and the international community to help Kashmiri people in getting their fundamental rights to self-determination by implementing its various resolutions in letter and spirit.
At the end of the demonstration, a delegation headed by Chairman Kashmir Council EU, Ali Raza Syed and Executive Director Kashmir Center Holland Raja Zaib Khan met Dutch Parliament’s members Desiree Bonis, Sjoerd Wiemer Sjoerdsma and G.A. Van Der Steur and Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament.
The delegation presented a memorandum about human rights violations in India Held Kashmir and urged the Holland to play its effective role to stop the human rights abuses in the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK).
Highlighting the recent report prepared by human rights activist Pervez Imroz on human rights’ situation particularly unnamed graves in IHK and called for DNA of the people buried in the graves.
Like Pakistan, the solidarity Day observed on 5th February in Europe to renew commitment to continue supporting the Kashmiris brethren for their right to self-determination.
The demonstration was headed by Chairman Kashmir Council EU, Ali Raza Syed and Executive Director Kashmir Centre Holland Raja Zaib Khan.
Despite of heavy snowfall, a large number of the people attended the demonstration in front of the Dutch Parliament.
Addressing the rally, Chairman Kashmir Council EU, Ali Raza Syed said, we express complete solidarity with the Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Kashmiris are struggling for their right to self-determination for more than 60 years.
He said, the voices of cries from the Kashmir are being reached in all over the world. We are struggling to make awareness among the Europeans on Kashmir issue. We would continue our comprehensive move to obtain further European sympathy and friendship with the Kashmiris.
It is clear fact that grave atrocities are being committed against the people of Jammu and Kashmir and every day is witnessed of killings of innocent Kashmiris including women and children. People in Indian Held Kashmir particularly youth are being disappeared and large scale unnamed graves were discovered in the valley but no one of the world powers supports the Kashmiris and neither any international organization pays any attention on the cries.
He said, about 800,000 Indian forces are deployed in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) and they are involved in the atrocities against the innocent people of the held territory.
The participants of the demonstration called upon the United Nations and the international community to help Kashmiri people in getting their fundamental rights to self-determination by implementing its various resolutions in letter and spirit.
At the end of the demonstration, a delegation headed by Chairman Kashmir Council EU, Ali Raza Syed and Executive Director Kashmir Center Holland Raja Zaib Khan met Dutch Parliament’s members Desiree Bonis, Sjoerd Wiemer Sjoerdsma and G.A. Van Der Steur and Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament.
The delegation presented a memorandum about human rights violations in India Held Kashmir and urged the Holland to play its effective role to stop the human rights abuses in the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK).
Highlighting the recent report prepared by human rights activist Pervez Imroz on human rights’ situation particularly unnamed graves in IHK and called for DNA of the people buried in the graves.
Friday, 1 February 2013
Lebanese president condemns Israeli airstrike in Syria
BEIRUT:Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has denounced the Israeli attack on a research center in Syria, accusing the Tel Aviv regime of using the turmoil in the Arab country to carry out its ‘aggressive policies.’
“Israel is exploiting the current situation in Syria to implement its aggressive policies, flouting international treaties and humanitarian rights and norms,” said the Lebanese president in a Thursday statement released by his office.
On January 30, the Syrian army said two people were killed and five others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a research center in Jamraya, near the capital. The Israeli regime declined to comment on the issue.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour also called for a firm stance by Arab countries to confront the Israeli assault.
Mansour said the aggression again confirms the reality of the Israeli regime’s conduct by which it has been characterized since 1948.
On Thursday, Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah strongly condemned the Israeli attack and said it was “barbaric aggression.”
Russia also said if the information on the Israeli attack was confirmed, “Then we are dealing with unprovoked strikes against targets located on the territory of a sovereign state, which brazenly infringes on the UN Charter and is unacceptable, no matter the motive used for its justification.”
“Israel is exploiting the current situation in Syria to implement its aggressive policies, flouting international treaties and humanitarian rights and norms,” said the Lebanese president in a Thursday statement released by his office.
On January 30, the Syrian army said two people were killed and five others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a research center in Jamraya, near the capital. The Israeli regime declined to comment on the issue.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour also called for a firm stance by Arab countries to confront the Israeli assault.
Mansour said the aggression again confirms the reality of the Israeli regime’s conduct by which it has been characterized since 1948.
On Thursday, Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah strongly condemned the Israeli attack and said it was “barbaric aggression.”
Russia also said if the information on the Israeli attack was confirmed, “Then we are dealing with unprovoked strikes against targets located on the territory of a sovereign state, which brazenly infringes on the UN Charter and is unacceptable, no matter the motive used for its justification.”
Hangu:Suicide blast outside mosque claims 22 lives
PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber targeted a Shiite Muslim mosque in Hangu on Friday, killing 22 people and 40 wounding dozens as worshippers poured out of weekly prayers, officials said.
According to police, the bomber detonated his explosives as worshippers poured out after Friday (Jummah) prayers in the crowded Pat Bazaar area.
“Most of the dead were coming out of a mosque in the marketplace after Friday prayers when the bomb went off,” a senior police officer said.
The bomber detonated explosives packed into a motorcycle in a narrow lane containing both the Shiite and a Sunni Muslim mosque in the town of Hangu, the latest bloody sectarian attack in a country where such violence is on the rise.
"It was a suicide attack which targeted Shiites but Sunni Muslims also fell victim since their mosque and some shops were also very close to the site," district police chief Mian Muhammad Saeed told AFP.
"We have found the head of the bomber, who came there on a motorbike," he said, putting the death toll at 22 with 40 others wounded.
Police said the bomb exploded as Shiites were leaving Friday prayers and Sunnis were going into their mosque for the main weekly sermon.
"The Shiite and Sunni mosques are very close to each other, and the explosion took place just as Shiites were coming out of the mosque and Sunnis were going into their mosque to say Friday prayers," said police official Imtiaz Shah.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned explosion.Deploring the loss of precious lives in the incident‚ he directed the concerned authorities to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured.
He said such cowardly incidents can not deter the government's resolve to wipe out the menace of terrorism.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain Shah also strongly condemned the killing of innocent people in the Hangu blast.
According to police, the bomber detonated his explosives as worshippers poured out after Friday (Jummah) prayers in the crowded Pat Bazaar area.
“Most of the dead were coming out of a mosque in the marketplace after Friday prayers when the bomb went off,” a senior police officer said.
The bomber detonated explosives packed into a motorcycle in a narrow lane containing both the Shiite and a Sunni Muslim mosque in the town of Hangu, the latest bloody sectarian attack in a country where such violence is on the rise.
"It was a suicide attack which targeted Shiites but Sunni Muslims also fell victim since their mosque and some shops were also very close to the site," district police chief Mian Muhammad Saeed told AFP.
"We have found the head of the bomber, who came there on a motorbike," he said, putting the death toll at 22 with 40 others wounded.
Police said the bomb exploded as Shiites were leaving Friday prayers and Sunnis were going into their mosque for the main weekly sermon.
"The Shiite and Sunni mosques are very close to each other, and the explosion took place just as Shiites were coming out of the mosque and Sunnis were going into their mosque to say Friday prayers," said police official Imtiaz Shah.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned explosion.Deploring the loss of precious lives in the incident‚ he directed the concerned authorities to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured.
He said such cowardly incidents can not deter the government's resolve to wipe out the menace of terrorism.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain Shah also strongly condemned the killing of innocent people in the Hangu blast.
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