Al-Ahram Weekly On-line
16 - 22 July 1998
Issue No.386
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 Current issue | Previous issue | Site map
X-rayLast flight to Libya
President Mubarak's flight to air-embargoed Libya last week triggered controversy in some international circles and is unlikely to be repeated, writes Nevine Khalil		  
'An entirely futile exercise'
Foreign Minister Amr Moussa has been visiting Washington for a "strategic dialogue" with the Clinton administration on regional issues. The talks, however, were dominated by the persistent deadlock in Middle East peace-making which has resulted from Israel's refusal to accept the US initiative for a 13 per cent withdrawal from West Bank territory. In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with Washington correspondent Hoda Tawfik, Moussa said the US is sticking to its proposal and has rejected Israeli attempts to introduce modifications. The Palestinians, likewise, have rejected the proposed Israeli modifications, Moussa said, adding that they are not in a position to accept the pre-conditions which Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu seeks to impose. On other regional issues, Moussa declared Egypt's support for the territorial unity of Iraq and Sudan and its desire to see sanctions against Libya lifted
The ruling National Democratic Party and the leftist Tagammu are organising general congresses in quick succession. Gamal Essam El-Din examines their different objectives
Charting the future of development
New platform for Tagammu 		Low-income housing takes off
Mrs Suzanne Mubarak laid the foundation stone on Sunday for a new housing scheme for people on low incomes, reports Rania Khalaf
Heated trial leads to fist-fight
Hearings of a libel suit brought by former Interior Minister Hassan El-Alfi against six journalists working for the Islamist-oriented Al-Shaab newspaper resumed this week. Khaled Dawoud monitored the often tense proceedings		 Two militants, policeman, killed
Two militants, described as members of Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiya, Egypt's largest underground group, were killed by security forces in a pre-dawn gun battle on Tuesday in the village of Manhari near Abu Qurqas in the southern province of Minya, reports Mona El-Nahhas
A forced cease-fire?
Following successful security efforts in cracking down on terrorist organisations, a lawyer closely linked to Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiya says there is a growing tendency within the outlawed group to give up violence
SallamHealth Minister Ismail Sallam arrived in Baghdad on Friday with a delegation of businessmen and doctors to sign contracts with Iraq under its oil-for-food deal with the United Nations. Nurse off the noose
To the relief and delight of sympathisers, nurse Aida has escaped the noose. Mariz Tadros taps into the emotions surrounding a case that has gripped the nation
Pyramid closes down
The Great Pyramid of Khufu, which is undergoing interior restoration work, has been closed to visitors. Nevine El-Aref reports		 A 10-minute drive
Thanks to the opening of the 26th of July route, a motorist can now drive from Mohandessin to 6th of October City in no more than 10 minutes. To make sure, Mariz Tadros brought her stop-watch along
Enter NileSat's catch
Many television viewers were wondering how to pick up the transmission of NileSat only to find out, as Rehab Saad reports, that the first step is a rather expensive receiver		 Two captains for the same ship?
After six months in office, Malak Ismail was reported to have been dismissed from her post as head of television's Channel One. But Ismail, speaking to Nadia Abul-Magd, denies that she has been informed of the decision
Obituary
Hassan Hakem