Morocco, UAE sign MoU on Visa Exemption Morocco and the United Arab Emirates signed on Sunday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for mutual exemption of holders of diplomatic, special and service passports of both countries from pre-obtaining visas. The MoU was signed by Assistant to UAE Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs Dr. Abdul Rahim Yusuf Al Awadhi and Mohamed Azrwal, Inspector General in charge of Middle East Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Morocco. Gitmo detainee transferred to Algeria despite torture fears The Obama administration has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the pending appeal of an Algerian man who until this week was held at the Guantanamo military prison but was unilaterally transferred to his native country over his strong objections. Farhi Saeed bin Mohammed had argued he would be persecuted or even killed by Algerian officials if sent home. A federal judge in November had ordered the man released from U.S. custody. Read the full story here. PACE head to pay three-day official visit to Tunisia The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Mevlut Cavusoglu, will pay a three-day official visit to Tunisia on January 10. Cavusoglu's visit to Tunisia aims to enhance the ties between Turkey, where he is from, and PACE. Egypt to receive Libyan aid ship Egyptian officials at Port Said said Sunday that preparations were complete to receive a Libyan ship carrying aid for Gaza. The Al-Marwa was scheduled to arrive Sunday with 700 tons of food and medical aid to be delivered to the besieged coastal enclave. Sudan Restricts Imports of Eggs, Livestock, Candy Amid Austerity Package Sudan imposed restrictions on imports of furniture, candy, eggs, livestock and other goods, four days after the country's parliament approved an austerity package.The curbs will erode demand for foreign currency, Central Bank Governor Sabir Hassan said today in an e-mailed statement. Parliament endorsed government-proposed austerity measures last week on concern imports may boost inflation and the oil- producing south may gain independence in a referendum, potentially hurting the economy. The move includes the partial suspension of fuel subsidies and an increase in sugar prices. Read the full story here.
