The Japan Times In Egypt, Abe pledges support for Mideast countries battling Islamic State jihadis Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged about $200 million in nonmilitary assistance for countries battling the Islamic State jihadi group. Japan will provide Egypt with $360 million in loans for projects including an airport and a power grid in a country suffering from an energy crisis, Abe said. "These are intended to contribute to Egypt's development, and by extension, to widening the foundation for stability across the entire region," he added. Abe meanwhile invited el-Sissi to visit Japan this year. Read more: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/01/17/national/politics-diplomacy/egypt-abe-pledges-support-mideast-countries-battling-islamic-state-jihadis/#.VLt2J0foRZ8 The Jerusalem Post Amal Clooney to Egypt's Sisi: Pardon jailed Al Jazeera journalist British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has called on Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al Sisi to release and pardon an imprisoned Egyptian-Canadian journalist for Al Jazeera, whom she represents. The attorney - who recently wed Hollywood star George Clooney - released a statement Friday, expressing disappointment over the lack of "concrete" progress toward the release of Mohamed Fahmy following a meeting with Egyptian and Canadian diplomats. Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird expressed cautious optimism for Fahmy's release after talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukri on Thursday. Read more: http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Amal-Clooney-to-Egypts-Sisi-Pardon-jailed-Al-Jazeera-journalist-388067 World Bulletin Egypt to take part in Washington anti-terror summit Egypt plans to participate in a February summit called by the United State to discuss ways of "countering violent extremism," an Egyptian diplomatic source said Sunday. "Egypt will participate in this international conference as it is one of the countries affected by terrorism," the high-ranking diplomatic source, who requested anonymity, told The Anadolu Agency. The source hailed Washington's call as "positive," adding that "extremism is a global affliction that requires the mobilization of international efforts." Read more: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/153212/egypt-to-take-part-in-washington-anti-terror-summit Morocco World News Morocco, Egypt Examine Ways to Consolidate Bilateral Ties Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar examined, here Friday, with his Egyptian peer Sameh Shoukry the ways to consolidate bilateral cooperation ties. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss several issues of common interest and "eandevour to achieve the aspirations of the two countries' leaders, HM King Mohammed VI and President Abdelfattah Sissi, for a strong and ambitious partnership", Mezouar said. "None can divide us," the minister underlined, adding that any attempt would be fruitless thanks to the strong relations that have always existed between Rabat and Cairo. Morocco and Egypt share heavy responsibilities towards the Arab world and Africa, he said, adding that the two countries, aware of this responsibility, aspire to implement a joint, effective and efficient action in this regard. Morocco and Egypt "have a common vision based on beliefs and responsibilities to defend the great causes and overcome all obstacles that would undermine their common destiny," he said. Read more: http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/01/149684/morocco-egypt-examine-ways-to-consolidate-bilateral-ties/ The Jerusalem Post Egypt uncovers explosives-laden smuggling tunnel between Sinai, Gaza Egyptian security forces on Saturday uncovered an underground smuggling tunnel running from northern Sinai into Gaza that housed large quantities of mortar shells and explosives, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported. Egyptian sources in Cairo told Ma'an the approximately 1,200 meter-long tunnel's entrance was located inside a house on the Egyptian side of Rafah, on the eastern border of the Palestinian enclave. The Egyptian military said it destroyed the tunnel and was preparing to raze the smuggling house that contained the entrance to the underground passageway, Ma'an reported. Read more: http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Egypt-Explosives-laden-smuggling-tunnel-uncovered-between-Sinai-Gaza-388036
