Anger over Moroccan alcohol law A row is brewing in Morocco over the sensitive issue of selling alcohol to Moroccan Muslims, which is banned by a law that is broken openly every day. A 1967 royal decree strictly forbids the sale or gift of alcoholic beverages to Muslims, who account for 98 percent of the population in this North African state. Offenders are liable to a prison sentence of up to six months and a fine of 150 to 500 dirhams ($18 to $60). Yet sales and consumption are widely tolerated. Supermarkets enforce no restrictions on alcohol sales and bars in Morocco's cities make no attempt to hide the sale of alcoholic drinks to clients, Muslim or otherwise. Tunisia relief plane arrives in Yemen A Tunisian airplane arrived on Sunday in Sana'a international airport carrying relief aid for the internally displaced people (IDPs) in Sa'ada province. The plane carried 15.8 tons of foodstuffs, medicines and other relief materials. The Assistant Undersecretary of Health Ministry Omer Mujally, who received the plane, expressed the Yemeni appreciation of the Tunisian initiative. Libya: 188 officials denied entry Bern has not yet commented on a report in a Libyan newspaper which says that 188 Libyan officials have been denied entry to Switzerland. The newspaper quotes a “high level Libyan official†who says that among those denied entry are Moamar Gaddafi and his family. The reported visa denials are all said to have happened after Libya detained two Swiss men who were working in Tripoli. UNAMID receives Arab League delegation in Sudan UNAMID's Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari was invited today to address the extraordinary session of the League of Arab States held at the level of Permanent Representatives. The meeting was held in El Fasher, North Darfur, and discussed ways to support peace and development in Darfur. Mr. Gambari reaffirmed the Mission's commitment to achieving its mandated task of helping to secure lasting peace and stability in the region. Hezbollah warns against attack Hezbollah's deputy secretary general for political affairs says the Lebanese movement would consider any attack on Iran or Syria as aggression against themselves. “Hezbollah considers any attack on any faction of the resistance movements, or on the two supporting nations of Iran or Syria, as an attack on all of them,” Hassan Khalil told Kuwait's Al-Dar. “We will respond to any Israeli aggression on Lebanon,” he added. Palestinian refugee agency warns of funding gap The head of the U.N. agency aiding Palestinian refugees is warning of a looming funding shortfall and appealing for another $100 million. Filippo Grandi says the money is necessary for education, health and social services for 4.7 million Palestinian refugees scattered across Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The agency's 2010 budget is $620 million, and it expects a shortfall of $140 million. The agency says $100 million is essential for basic services. BM
