Gadaffi asked to step in as mediator in Egypt-Algeria football row Libyan leader Moamar Gadaffi has been asked by the Arab league to mediate between Egypt and Algeria, following their diplomatic spat over a world cup qualifier. Libyan news agency Jana reported that “”As chairman of the African Union, the Guide of the Revolution [Col Gaddafi] is going to work to bridge the gulf that has opened up between Egypt and Algeria.” Other efforts to try and diffuse tensions have included a live concert outside the Algerian embassy in Cairo, and an appeal by academics from both countries for calm. Abbas: Obama doing nothing on Middle East peace President Obama is “doing nothing†for the Middle East peace process, according to President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas. In an interview with Argentine daily Clarin, Abbas said that Palestinians were “waiting for the US to put pressure on Israel so it respects international law, so it takes up the road mapâ€. Abbas’ comments were echoed by Argentine President Cristine Kirchner, who said “Ths US could be doing more.†Lubna Hussein dons a niqab to sneak out of Sudan Lubna Hussein, the woman who famously stood up to Sudanese authorities in court after she was arrested for wearing trousers in public, has left Sudan under the cover of a niqab. Hussein is currently in France, where she is promoting her book, and claims she had to wear a full face veil in order to stop authorities from recognizing her and preventing her from leaving the country. “They wanted to prevent me from leaving, I resorted to the niqab and managed to leave,” Hussein told reporters, “I requested documents to be able to leave, to be able to travel, and this is the only means I found to be able to leave Sudan. I did not flee Sudan. I am a Sudanese citizen.” Shalit deal nears completion According to senior officials from both Hamas and the Israeli government, a secret deal to exchange captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit for around 450 Palestinians is nearing completion. Negotiations are ongoing as to which prisoners Israel is willing to release, although it is thought that senior leader, and possible replacement for Mahmoud Abbas, Marwan Bargouthi is on the list. US backed Arabic news channel Al-Hurra recently broke this news, claiming that a deal could be done in time for the Eid al Adha holiday which is due to take place around the Muslim world on Friday. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with Israeli prison service officials have strenuously denied any talk of a prisoner swap. Hamas officials have traveled to Damascus to further discuss details of the exchange. Obama nears Afghanistan decision US President Barak Obama is close to revealing his plans for US forces in Afghanistan. He is under pressure from senior generals to send more troops to commit more troops to fight the war against the Taliban, a plan which is unpopular with many. Analysts have suggested that Obama will try and appease both sides by sending fewer than the 40,000 troops demanded by the leader of the US Armed Forces in Afghanistan Stanley McChrystal, whilst emphasizing the importance of an exit strategy. It is thought Obama will make an official statement early next week. BM
