Biblical countries, in the news.

[Shammu]

 Iran-Venezuela high ranking delegations hold negotiations
Tehran, July 30, IRNA

Iran-Venezuela-Negotiation
Iran-Venezuela high ranking delegations held negotiation here Saturday evening after the two presidents had a private talk.

According to Presidential Office Media Department, President Ahmadinejad referring to the common viewpoints of Tehran and Caracas on international important issues and high potentials of both countries to expand relations in all fields especially energy, industry, urban planning and construction, said Iran-Venezuela as two brotherly and friend countries can play a complementary role for each other in different economic fields.

Ahmadinejad said Iran-Venezuela as two big producers of oil in the world can play an important role in this field and by establishing a joint gas and oil company can manage and facilitate the
implementation of large projects in this concern.

Cooperation in the field of urban planning, mass production building, expansion of banking systems cooperation, trade and commerce, especially industry are among suitable grounds of expanding ties between the two countries, President Ahmadinejad said adding establishment of a joint financial fund to support joint projects can facilitate and accelerate the execution of projects.

President Chavez referring to the common viewpoints in political and ideological issues and both countries abilities in different fields which have created a positive ground, said Venezuela asks for expansion of relations with Islamic Republic of Iran in all fields, especially using Iran's ability in oil exploration and extraction, building gas pipelines, establishment of different industries like petrochemistry, mass production of residential buildings, urban planning, pharmaceutics and car production.

Referring to the membership of Venezuela in "MERCOSUR
Organization", President Chavez said Tehran-Caracas economic ties are proper grounds for Iran to enter in south America markets and added, Iran can play an important role in building a 8,000 kilometer long gas pipeline from Venezuela to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.

Iran's minister of industry and mining and Venezuelan minister of oil as heads of joint cooperation commission presented a report on the latest situation of agreements between the two countries and the outcome of the new negotiations to ink cooperation agreements in this trip.

Iran-Venezuela high ranking delegations hold negotiations

[Shammu]

 Chavez satisfied with progress in Iran-Venezuela joint projects
Tehran, July 29, IRNA

Iran-Chavez-Visit
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez here Saturday expressed satisfaction with the quick pace of Iran-Venezuela joint economic projects.

He made the remark at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after the official welcome ceremony, adding that the current level of cooperation between the two countries is quite unprecedented.

The Venezuelan president said that specific and definite working plans complementing each other can be very efficient.

"Our working schedules have been planned according to priorities.

High priority has been given to oil and gas," he added.

Turning to a number of mutually signed agreements, he underlined that recently great progress has been witnessed in the cooperation between the two countries and a leap is about to take place.

Chavez hoped that Iranian oil enterprises will soon become active in Venezuela, adding that they can also start their activities in Venezuelan Gulf, which can be very fruitful and effective.

"A nationalist approach making the two nations closer to each other is yet more important to us than investment," he added.

He said that both countries are oil producers, adding that in addition to collaboration in gas and oil fields, a number of other joint projects are currently being implemented by Iran and Venezuela.

The president referred to the joint projects on production of medicine, industrial molds and tractors currently underway and said that his country is prepared to cooperate with Iran in other domains including finances and investment.

"One of the agreements to be signed during his visit, is related to petrochemical cooperation between Iran and Venezuela.

"We are well aware of the progress achieved in Iran after the victory of the Islamic Revolution. One year after the implementation of tractor manufacturing plant in Venezuela by Iran, it is now ready to export its products," he added.

Expressing satisfaction with the high quality of the tractors manufactured in Venezuela by Iran, he said that their price is 30 percent less than the international rate.

"The plant is now operating at full capacity and 400 tractors will soon be delivered to farmers," said the Venezuelan president.

Chavez expressed pleasure with his visit to Iran and appreciated the Iranian officials, in particular his Iranian counterpart conveying his greetings to the Iranian people as well as representatives of domestic and foreign media in Tehran.

The Venezuelan president expressed satisfaction with talks with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran, adding that he was first introduced to Ahmadinejad was during his term in office as Tehran mayor, as he was unveiling Simon de Bolivar's statue at one of the capital's most beautiful parks.

At the end of his briefing session, he prayed to the God Almighty for the Iranian nation and wished the best for them.

Chavez satisfied with progress in Iran-Venezuela joint projects

[Shammu]

 Iranian parties support Palestinian, Lebanese resistance
Tehran, July 29, IRNA

Iran-Israel-Mohtashamipour
Iranian parties will hold a joint nationwide meeting in support of the resistance of the Palestinian and Lebanese nations against Israel, said an official here on Saturday.

Secretary General of the International Conference on Qods and Support for the Rights of the Palestinian People Ali-Akbar Mohtashamipour said at a press conference that the meeting will be entirely with parties with no affiliation to government.

Mohtashamipour said foreign ambassadors in Tehran and political personalities will participate in the event.

He said that despite their differences, Iranian political groups and parties share stances on some issues including Lebanon and Palestine and can contribute to holding such meetings as those on Palestinian and Lebanese resistance.

He predicted that the meeting will bear positive results.

Iranian parties support Palestinian, Lebanese resistance

[Shammu]

 Muslim envoys in Mexico call for immediate cease-fire in Lebanon
Tehran, July 29, IRNA

Lebanon-Palestine-Islam
Ambassadors of Islamic countries in Mexico on Friday issued a statement, calling for the establishment of an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon and an end to Israeli attacks.

They called on the Mexican government to join the international movement for establishment of a cease-fire in the occupied territories of Palestine and Lebanon.

The envoys of the Muslim states which are members of the Organization of Islamic Conference also invited all parties involved to sit at the negotiating table as the "only alternative to solve Middle East issue."
"We condemn every kind of terrorism. But we should differentiate between terrorism and resistance movement," the statement said.

The Muslim ambassadors also reiterated that Israeli attempts to punish the Lebanese and Palestinian people are against the international rules and humanitarian conventions.

Pointing to the positive stances of other nations such as France, Brazil and Switzerland, the envoys called on the international community to adopt due measures through the United Nations Security Council to stop the Israeli assaults and establish a cease-fire as soon as possible.

The United States and Britain extend extensive support for the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. They also give political, military and economic aid to Israel.

Muslim envoys in Mexico call for immediate cease-fire in Lebanon

[Shammu]

 Vienna-based Muslims stage protest rally against Israel
Vienna, July 29, IRNA

Austria-Lebanon-Rally
Hundreds of Vienna-based Muslims staged an anti-Israel rally in the Austrian capital on Friday afternoon condemning Tel Aviv's carnage in Lebanon.


Large groups of Arab, Turkish, Iranian, Bosnian and Austrian Muslims attended the gathering outside the palace of the Austrian chancellor chanting anti-Israeli slogans.

The protestors issued a statement at the end of the rally saying the defenseless people of Lebanon were faced with
threats of homelessness, poverty and starvation due to the incessant attacks of the Israeli forces since July 12 against civilian targets and infrastructure of Lebanon.

Condemning killing of the United Nations' observers in southern Lebanon as a result of the Israeli bombardments, the statement said "Even the Europeans who interpret Israel's savage attacks on Lebanon and Palestine as an act of self-defense and support Tel Aviv with their silence are not safe" from its atrocities.

Attacks of the Israeli forces on the post of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), near the Lebanese town of Khiyam, killed two military observers last Tuesday.

Condemning Israel for pursuing an aggressive policy vis-a-vis the Palestinian and Lebanese nations, the statement added Tel Aviv was seeking dominance over Lebanon, as it was in Palestine, by using its military power and suppressing the resistance movement of the Lebanese people.

"The war against Palestinian and Lebanese people is a war against Islam," said the statement criticizing US full support for the Zionist regime.

Vienna-based Muslims stage protest rally against Israel

[Shammu]

 Top prosecutor criticizes Muslim rulers for indifference towards Israel
Tehran, July 29, IRNA

Iran-Israel-Najafabadi
Prosecutor General Qorbanali Dorri- Najafabadi on Saturday strongly criticized Muslim heads of state for their silence and lack of attention towards Israeli crimes, calling on both governmental and non-governmental organizations to condemn the Zionist entity's brutal actions.

Najafabadi told a group of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) personnel that regrettably, some Arab Islamic states provide the enemy with a pretext to go on with its crimes despite showing strong reaction against the brutality.

He also condemned approaches of the international communities and the architects of the new world order.

He urged all the world states not to leave the oppressed Palestinian and Lebanese nations alone and provide them with necessary financial support.

He also invited Muslim Ummah and Lebanese nation to maintain unity against enemies.

Top prosecutor criticizes Muslim rulers for indifference towards Israel

[Shammu]

IDF: more than 60 targets attacked in Lebanon since Saturday

The IDF has reported that since Saturday morning more than 60 targets have been attacked in Lebanon, among which were four rocket launchers used to shoot rockets at Israel.

Also, buildings, weapons caches and vehicles used for transporting weaponry were attacked.

IDF: more than 60 targets attacked in Lebanon since Saturday

[Shammu]

5 rockets land in Rosh Pina area; no injuries


Five rockets landed in open areas in the Rosh Pina area. There has been no report of injuries or damage.

Earlier, three rockets landed in Carmiel. There also, there were no injuries nor damage caused.

5 rockets land in Rosh Pina area; no injuries

[Shammu]

Minister of Health order evacuation of medical facility hit by rockets


Following the difficult hit the medical facility in the Akko area received from a rocket barrage Saturday, the Minister of Health, Yacov Ben Yizri, ordered the evacuation of the patients staying there. This came after he consulted with the director-general of his ministry, Avi Yisraeli.

The patients will be transferred to other medical centers throughout the country because there is no possibility to protect the facility in coming days.

Minister of Health order evacuation of medical facility hit by rockets

[Shammu]

20 terrorists killed in Bint Jbeil

Three days after First Lieutenant Yiftah Shrier, 21, was killed by an anti-tank rocket in Bint Jbeil, fighters of his unit returned to the southern Lebanese town. Commander: This is not revenge. We were ordered to carry out a mission and we executed in the best possible way
Hanan Greenberg

Three days after First Lieutenant Yiftah Shrier, 21, was killed by an anti-tank rocket in Bint Jbeil, fighters of his unit returned to the southern Lebanese town overnight Friday.

In fierce battles that started Friday afternoon and ended in the early hours of Saturday, 20 Hizbullah terrorists were killed.

The air force provided cover for troops and targeted Hizbullah cells.

20 terrorists killed in Bint Jbeil

[Shammu]

'Beautiful north turning black'

Rockets falling on open territories thought to be good news, but 20,000 dunam of forests and nature reserves have been burned by Hizbullah rockets
Sharon Roffe-Ofir

As reports come in from the north on rockets falling in open territories, the country breathes a sigh of relief. But those open territories are actually forests and nature reserves across the north, which have so far absorbed hundreds of Katyusha rockets, severely damaging the health of the north's green countryside.

Over half a million trees have been burned to the ground due to Hizbullah rocket attacks on the north.

"It will take the north tens of years to bounce back and be a green pearl," said Galilee Area and Ramat Hagolan Jewish National Fund (JNF) Manager Michael Weinberger.

Since the start of fighting, over 15,000 dunam of nature reserves and 6,000 dunam of forests have been burned.

The north, symbolized by its luscious green color, has attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists, has now turned into a sooty color. "Whoever traveled in the past… and enjoyed the dominant green color, like in Switzerland, will now see black dominating the scenery," Weinberger said.

JNF staff have been working since the start of fighting in increased shifts, and go out on daily tours along with thirty youths – all volunteers seeking to help.

"The general public thinks that when a rocket lands in open territory its as if nothing happened, but when a Katyusha rocket lands in open territory, another forest goes up in flames, and it hurts," said Weinberger.

"We have been living in the Galilee for decades and the color green is part of our lives – today everything is black and it will take many years to bring the green back into sight," he added.

'Beautiful north turning black'

[Shammu]

Iranian Leader Bans Usage of Foreign Words

Jul 29, 6:53 AM EDT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has ordered government and cultural bodies to use modified Persian words to replace foreign words that have crept into the language, such as "pizzas" which will now be known as "elastic loaves," state media reported Saturday.

The presidential decree, issued earlier this week, orders all governmental agencies, newspapers and publications to use words deemed more appropriate by the official language watchdog, the Farhangestan Zaban e Farsi, or Persian Academy, the Irna official news agency reported.

The academy has introduced more than 2,000 words as alternatives for some of the foreign words that have become commonly used in Iran, mostly from Western languages. The government is less sensitive about Arabic words, because the Quran is written in Arabic.

Among other changes, a "chat" will become a "short talk" and a "cabin" will be renamed a "small room," according to official Web site of the academy.

Iranian Leader Bans Usage of Foreign Words

[Shammu]

France offers new UN resolution on Israel-Hizbullah ceasefire

France has drawn up a draft UN Security Council resolution that would call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Israel and Lebanon and prepare for the deployment of an international force.

The document, distributed to the 15 Security Council members on Saturday and obtained by Reuters, anticipates a draft resolution the United States is planning that would place up to 20,000 peacekeepers along Lebanon's borders with Israel and with Syria.

France offers new UN resolution on Israel-Hizbullah ceasefire

[Shammu]

 Olmert Agrees to Multinational Force Along Northern Border
04:43 Jul 30, '06 / 5 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Following nearly two hours of talks in his Jerusalem residence with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Saturday night, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to the deployment of a multinational force between Israel and Lebanon and Syria.

While the details of the force, the number of troops and which nations would take part, were not decided, it was stated that the armies of France and Lebanon would take part in the force.

Olmert Agrees to Multinational Force Along Northern Border

[Shammu]

Arab Opinion Turning in Favor of Nasrallah
03:50 Jul 30, '06 / 5 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Arab public opinion has turned in favor of Hizbullah terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah, following initial criticism of the war against Israel. Many Arab governments fear that a strong Hizbullah would challenge their authority, and the royal family of Saudi Arabia had publicly denounced Hizbullah. However, the Saudis now are distancing itself from the American support of Israel.

Leaders and supporters of the Sunni Moslem sect, who are rivals to the Shiites with whom Nasrallah is affiliated, have become moderate toward Hizbullah, while some are even trying to compete with Nasrallah in encouraging attacks on Israel.

By taking on Israel, Hizbullah had instantly eclipsed Al Qaeda, one analyst said. "Everyone will be asking, ‘Where is Al Qaeda now?'" said Adel al-Toraifi, a Saudi columnist and expert on Sunni extremists.

Arab Opinion Turning in Favor of Nasrallah