Al-Jazeera condemns Morocco over suspension of service Al-Jazeera condemned on Saturday a decision by Morocco to suspend the pan-Arab television network's operations in the northern African country, saying the move would not affect its editorial line. Morocco's government said Friday it suspended the Qatar-based satellite channel's operations and withdrew accreditation for its staff after “numerous failures” that went against the “rules of serious and responsible journalism.” “Al-Jazeera has denounced the suspension of the network's operations in Morocco,” the network said on its English-language website, citing an Al-Jazeera statement. Algerian curbs on foreign contractors now in force A series of measures came into force in Algeria on Thursday that will make it harder for international firms to win lucrative construction and engineering contracts in the energy exporting country. Algeria has said it will spend $286 billion on modernizing the economy over the next five years, and firms including SNC-Lavalin, Siemens and Alstom are likely to bid for public works contracts. Libya says to join Tunisia oil refinery project Libya's prime minister said on Friday his country will help its neighbor Tunisia build an oil refinery at Tunisia's Skhira oil terminal. Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi discussed joint business projects when he had talks in the Tunisian capital with President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. Libya to participate in London tourism show Libya will for the second consecutive year participate in the London Tourism Show in the United Kingdom, the Libyan General Tourism and Handicrafts Board announced on Friday. The 2010 edition of the Show would take place from 8 to 11 November, the Board said in Tripoli. Libya's stand will comprise several tour operators, tourist cooperatives, as well as hotels to promote the country's tourist products. Obama urges Sudan stick to referendum timetable President Barack Obama stressed the need to hold a referendum on Sudan's future on time in a telephone call on Friday with the top official seeking comprise between the country's north and south, the White House said. Obama spoke with former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been trying to overcome obstacles in the north-south peace process as chairman of an African Union panel on Sudan. BM
