Britain slams Germany over Afghan war

Britain's Defense Secretary, Liam Fox, has lashed out at some European countries for failing to provide enough support for the war in Afghanistan.

Fox unleashed a stinging public rebuke on Germany and Italy for failing to meet their commitments as far as the undermanned helicopter fleet in Afghanistan is concerned.

The Defense Secretary said Germany and Italy did not provide money, troops or equipment to help bolster the helicopter fleet.

Fox made the comments after he revealed that a British and French initiative to raise €60 million for 10 helicopters for troops fighting in Afghanistan had only generated three aircraft with €8 million from Britain and €5 million from France.

“Some of Europe's richest nations have failed to deliver on this project notably Germany and Italy,” he said.

Fox added that the richer countries' failure comes while smaller countries such as Norway and Denmark had contributed their share to the project.

“What this does illustrate is that the same countries are doing the deploying and funding and the same countries are missing from the equation,” he told the House of Lords foreign affair committee.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163937.html

British soldier killed in S Afghanistan

A British soldier has lost his life in the volatile Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, bringing the total UK death toll in the war-torn country to 351 since the beginning of the war.

The British Ministry of Defense announced Friday that the soldier from 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, died in an operational accident in the Nad-e Ali district of the Helmand province, a Press TV correspondent reported.

"He died as a result of an operational accident, which is currently under investigation," Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel David Eastman stated.

The latest casualty puts the overall number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan so far this year to three.

The death also brings the total number of death toll among US troops in Afghanistan since the onset of the war in 2001 to 351, 309 of whom were killed as a result of military engagement and the rising violence against foreign troops in the war-ravaged country.

2010 was the bloodiest year of the nine-year conflict in Afghanistan, with casualties steadily soaring among both civilians and foreign troops, mainly due to a rise in Taliban attacks.

As many as 711 foreign troops lost their lives in Afghanistan -- an average of two a day -- which is by far greater than the annual toll of 521 during 2009.

Despite the presence of some 150,000 NATO forces in the Asian country, the violence and daily militant attacks have not been subdued in Afghanistan.

Britain has about 9,500 troops in Afghanistan, making it the second-largest contributor after the United States to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.

ISAF has some 140,000 troops in Afghanistan, two-thirds of which are from the United States, fighting a nine-year war with the Taliban.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163647.html

UK soldier slain in south Afghanistan

A British soldier in Afghanistan (file photo)

A British soldier has been killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in southern Afghanistan in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province.

The soldier was from 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, the state-run BBC reported on Saturday.

The death brings the death toll for British soldiers deployed in Afghanistan to 352 since the war began in 2001.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are by far the most lethal weapon Taliban militants use against foreign troops, Afghan forces as well as civilians.

The latest death brings to 38 the number of fatalities among foreign troops in Afghanistan so far in 2011.

However, last year was the deadliest year for foreign military casualties with a death toll of 711. The figure eclipsed the previous record of 521 in 2009.

Despite the presence of 140,000 NATO forces in the Central Asian country, the militant attacks have not abated.

Britain has about 9,500 troops in Afghanistan, making it the second-largest contributor to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force after the United States.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163844.html

Two US-led soldiers killed in Afghan war

At least two US-led soldiers have been killed in the latest spate of attacks against foreign troops in southern Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says.

According to a statement released by the NATO-led alliance on Saturday, the soldiers lost their lives in separate bombings in volatile southern Afghanistan, bringing the death toll among foreign troops in the war-ravaged country since the beginning of this year to 36.

Five US-led soldiers with the international coalition have been killed so far in February.

The identities of the soldiers and the exact locations of Saturday's blasts were not immediately disclosed.

Last year saw a considerable spike in the number of attacks on US-led soldiers in Afghanistan with more than 710 troops killed.

US President Barack Obama has said US forces would begin pulling out of Afghanistan in July 2011.

On Jan 6, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered an extra 1,400 Marines to southern Afghanistan in an attempt to fend off an anticipated spring offensive by Taliban militants returning from neighboring Pakistan.

The surge comes despite an earlier promise by Obama to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan by July 2011.

The upsurge in the number of casualties among US-led foreign forces in tandem with the heavy civilian casualties have provoked a barrage criticism from countries which have contributed troops to the prolonged Afghan mission.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163671.html

2 injured in US copter crash near Kabul

At east two pilots have been injured after a helicopter belonging to the US-led foreign forces crashed in Afghanistan's eastern district of Lateh Band near the capital Kabul.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has confirmed the incident, which took place on Saturday as the combat helicopter was escorting transport helicopters from a French base in the Surobi district of Kabul province back to the capital, a Press TV correspondent reported.

According to eye witnesses, foreign troops have sealed off the crash scene and are looking into the incident, the correspondent added.

2010 was the bloodiest year of the nine-year conflict in Afghanistan, with casualties steadily soaring among both civilians and foreign troops, mainly due to a rise in Taliban attacks.

The number of US-led troops killed in 2010 in war-wrecked Afghanistan also hit new record highs with more than 710 casualties reported, far more than the 521 killed in 2009.

In September 2010, nine US soldiers were killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan.

On January 6, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered an extra 1,400 Marines to southern Afghanistan to fend off an anticipated spring offensive by Taliban militants returning from neighboring Pakistan.

The surge comes despite an earlier promise by US President Barack Obama to withdraw American forces from war-ravaged Afghanistan by July 2011.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163654.html

Militants kill 4 in NW Pakistan

Militants have killed four people who were allegedly spying for Indian and Jewish intelligence agencies in Karak town in northwestern Pakistan.

Officials and local sources told Press TV that police have found four bullet-riddled bodies with notes from militants in their pockets outside Karak, a northwestern town near the lawless North Waziristan tribal district on Saturday.

The note said that those killed were spying for Indian and Jewish intelligence agencies.

This is the first such incident in Karak.

Militants frequently kidnap and kill people in the tribal regions of South and North Waziristan, accusing them of spying for the Pakistani government or for US-led forces in Afghanistan.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163895.html

Jordan opposition rejects new govt.

Jordanian opposition protesters shout slogans and carry the Islamic Action Front's flag during an anti-government protest in the capital, Amman on Friday, February 4, 2011.

Jordan's main Islamic opposition group refuses to join a new government led by Prime Minister Marruf Bakhit, calling for new parliamentary elections.

"Taking part in this government under the current circumstances is out of the question," Hamzah Mansur, who leads the political arm of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic Action Front, told AFP on Sunday.

"Acceptable participation for us is the one that comes through national consensus and parliamentary elections," he added.

Jordanian King Abdullah II replaced former Premier Samir Rifai with Bakhit on Tuesday, after three weeks of anti-government protests.

The monarch has instructed his choice to "take practical, quick and tangible steps to launch true political reforms."

Members of major tribes in Jordan, however, have condemned what they call rampant corruption in the country.

The tribal citizens have criticized what they call interference in executive decisions by those who have no constitutional powers -- an apparent reference to Queen Rania.

The opposition has warned of a popular uprising similar to the Egyptian revolution -- which entered its 13th day on Sunday -- should no reforms take place.

Jordanians have also held demonstrations in support of the popular uprising in the North African country, hailing the outraged Egyptian's cause of toppling the regime of their three-decade-long President Hosni Mubarak.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163985.html

Cuba seeks 20 years in prison for American accused of spying

In a statement released through the Communist Party newspaper Granma Friday, the Cuban government has requested a 20-year prison term for US contractor Alan Gross who was arrested in 2009 for "crimes against state security."

AFP - Cuba has requested a 20-year prison term for US contractor Alan Gross who was arrested in 2009 on spying charges, a government statement said, as Washington slammed the move as an "injustice."

In a statement released through the Communist Party newspaper Granma Friday, Cuba said Gross was being charged with violating Cuba's "independence and territorial integrity," and said a trial date will be fixed "shortly" in a case that has created a new diplomatic tension between Washington and Havana.

The charges against Gross, 61, are in the category of "crimes against state security" and suggest that Havana is taking a hard line in the high-profile case.

"The US government has been informed of this and duly notified through the diplomatic channels that its consular representatives, Mr Gross's relatives and his family lawyers will be allowed to attend the trial," the statement said.

Washington swiftly criticized the action.

President Barack Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs said Gross "has been unjustly detained and deprived of his liberty and freedom for the last 14 months."

But instead of releasing him, the White House said the decision Friday "compounds the injustice suffered by a man helping to increase the free flow of information, to, from, and among the Cuban people."

US State Department spokesman Charles Luoma-Overstreet said: "We deplore the Cuban government's announcement... (Gross) has been held without charges for more than a year, contrary to all international human rights obligations and commitments regarding justice and due process.

"He should be home with his family now," he said.

The contractor's wife Judy Gross told AFP that she would spend the weekend processing the possible implications for her husband and their family.

"I'm trying to digest the news myself," she said, declining further comment.

US authorities have argued that Gross worked for a non-government organization contracted by the State Department to supply computer and communications material to civil society groups on the island, and that he should be freed.

Washington officials said that Gross, an international development worker, visited Cuba to help members of the Jewish community in Havana link up with other Jewish communities throughout the world.

In December, a State Department spokesman said Gross had "languished in a Cuban jail for a full year" with no explanation or charges filed against him and that the actions "violate international standards of due process and judicial procedure."

On Friday the company that contracted Gross to work in Cuba, Development Alternatives Inc., described the threat of a 20-year prison sentence as an "outrage."

The company said in a statement released to AFP that it called on "principled leaders within our government and in the international community to stand up for Alan and step up their efforts to bring him home to his family."

The United States and Cuba have not had formal diplomatic ties since 1961, though Washington is represented by a US interest section in Havana.

On January 13, Cuba allowed a senior US diplomat to visit Gross, whose incarceration had become an obstacle in efforts to work towards normalized relations.

Arturo Valenzuela, the top US State Department official for Latin America, said recently that Washington had made it "very clear" to Havana that it will be difficult to reach any major agreements as long as Cuba is holding Gross.

Cuba has been pressing meanwhile for the release of five of its nationals held in prison since 1998 in the United States on espionage charges.

Obama presses Hosni Mubarak to make 'right decision' and step down

Embracing an Egyptian future without Ho

sni Mubarak, President Barack Obama pressed the embattled leader to consider his legacy and leave his office in a way that would give his country a true chance for peace and democracy

REUTERS - President Barack Obama on Friday appealed to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to make the "right decision" as the United States kept up its push for an orderly transition of power in the face of mass protests.
Obama stopped short of calling for Mubarak to immediately resign -- the demand of the thousands of protesters on the streets of Cairo. But Obama pointedly noted that the Egyptian president has already made a decision not to run re-election.
Obama told reporters that in their two conversations since mass protests against Mubarak's 30-year rule began 11 days ago he stressed the need for an orderly transition to democracy in the country, long a cornerstone of U.S. Middle East strategy.
"Having made that psychological break, that decision that he will not be running again, I think the most important thing for him to ask himself ... is how do we make that transition effective and lasting and legitimate," Obama said at a news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"The key question he should be asking himself is: how do I leave a legacy behind in which Egypt is able to get through this transformative period?' And my hope is ... that he will end up making the right decision," Obama said.
In what may have been an effort to quash a New York Times report that U.S. and Egyptian officials discussed Mubarak's immediate resignation in favor of Vice President Omar Suleiman, Obama said, "The future of Egypt will be determined by its people."
Egypt has been a U.S. ally throughout Mubarak's reign and it is strategically vital to American interests because of its peace treaty with Israel, its control of the Suez Canal and its opposition to militant Islam.
After two days of clashes between Mubarak loyalists and anti-Mubarak protesters and efforts to cut off news coverage of the demonstrations, Obama said the rights of protesters, human rights activists and journalists must be respected.
"Going back to the old ways is not going to work. Suppression's not going to work. Engaging in violence is not going to work. Attempting to shut down information flows is not going to work," he said.
"The only thing that will work is moving (an) orderly transition process that begins right now, that engages all the parties, that leads to democratic practices, fair and free elections, a representative government that is responsive to the grievances of the Egyptian people," he added.
http://www.france24.com/en/20110205-obama-presses-hosni-mubarak-leave-office

Poll: Record disapproval rate for Obama

President Barack Obama's second year in office has polarized the US as a 68 point gap divides the two major political camps in the country over his performance, a recent Gallup poll shows.

In fact, no president since President Dwight Eisenhower, over 50 years ago, has had a more polarizing second year than Obama.

Results revealed that 81 percent of Democrats and only 13 percent of Republicans have expressed their approval of the condition, indicating a whopping 68 point approval gap between the two parties.

The poll linked Obama's disapproval rating to the poorly performing economy, adding that "the other presidents with low second-year averages also took office during difficult economic times," reports Newsroom America.

Two years into President Obama's presidency, he has failed to deliver on a significant number of his campaign slogans including upending the lobbying culture in Washington, bolstering the US economy, and bringing transparency to Washington.

"[Obama] completely ignored the fact that the country is mired in a grinding recession, with basically 25 percent -- one in four Americans -- out of work or working at a part time job… and he talked about the country having broken the back of the recession as though it's over," Dave Lindorff - author and investigative journalist - told Press TV in an exclusive interview.

“Housing prices are still going down, unemployment is stagnant at these very high levels, and there is nothing being done to stimulate the economy," Lindorff added.

President Ronald Reagan's second year approval gap at 56 points comes in second highest, while Clinton's 54 point gap comes in third; George W. Bush holds the record for the most polarized year of any year, and the most years in the top ten.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163861.html

'Perfect storm of unrest in Mideast'

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned that the status quo in the Middle East is unsustainable and the region is going towards instability.

Speaking at an international security summit in Munich, Germany, Clinton admitted that economic problems and long-standing discontent with autocratic regimes threaten global stability.

"The Middle East is facing a perfect storm of unrest," she said at the summit while referring to the current situation in Egypt and Tunisia.

Referring to the protests in troubled Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen, the US official said that high unemployment, depleting oil and water reserves, and simmering discontent towards autocratic regimes could threaten global stability.

She further pointed out that transition to democracy can be chaotic, but in the end "free people govern themselves best."

Clinton urged Europe to back the United States' push for wide-scale reform, saying incremental steps that do not offer people full freedom will only breed further discontent.

She also called on the international support for the reforms proposed by Egypt's embattled leaders so that extremists do not hijack the country's political transition.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163860.html

Snowstorm buries one-third of US

America's Midwest and Northeast have been hit by one of the worst snow storms in the modern US history, with over 30 states affected.

Called the Big Freeze of 2011, over 2,000 miles of landscape -- from the Rocky Mountains to New England -- have experienced temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius and blizzard winds in excess of 100 kilometers per hour, a Press TV correspondent reported.

According to meteorologists, more blinding blizzards and North Pole like conditions are forecasted for the next week.

At least 12 people have died from the massive snowstorms. Some of them have frozen to death stranded in their cars, while others have died in car crashes on snow-covered streets.

Doug Kammerer -- a TV weatherman for NBC's Washington station WRC Television -- says there's never been so much snow and ice blanketing in the middle and eastern half of the country since the late 1800's.

“This year the Arctic is playing a certain role in allowing a lot of cold air to filter down into the eastern portion of the country… you're talking about some of the coldest temperatures ever in Colorado, coldest temperatures ever in Texas, and you look down at Florida and you're dealing with some of the coldest temperatures they've seen,” Kammerer told Press TV.

In Chicago, millions have lost power and heat, power lines are down, communications cut, and emergency services have been unable to operate in the third worst snowfall of its history,

“We're just not use to the severity of these storms. This is a historic storm. A storm like this that brings one to two feet of snow and 70-mile an hour winds is a storm that you just do not see very often,” Kammerer added.

The storm, which has caused an estimated one billion dollars-damage in properties, is bankrupting city and state budgets for snow removal.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163953.html

US veterans hit hard by housing crisis

More than 20,000 veterans, active-duty troops and reservists who have taken out special government-backed mortgages have lost their homes.

Foreclosures near military bases increased more than 30 percent in the last two years, nearly 10 percent higher than the national foreclosure rate, according to RealtyTrac.

Last year's foreclosures on US veterans were the highest recorded since 2003.

The Homeless Veterans Initiative estimates that one out of every four homeless men in America is a veteran and that roughly 155,000 veterans live on the streets.

“To not be concerned about this is pretty callous especially in a time when we still have two ongoing wars,” Geoffrey Millard, director of Homeless Veterans Initiative, told Press TV.

Experts said the housing crisis is especially difficult for military families because of transfers, loss of civilian jobs left behind by reservists, and multiple deployments.

Millard added another hardship is that many vets like him are dealing with physical or mental issues which are an immediate priority over finances.

“This might be a time period in a returning veteran's life when they're just starting to struggle with things like post-dramatic stress, physical injuries and illnesses that are related to the war,” he told Press TV.

“The financial end of things is the last thing they're thinking about when they have day to day chronic pain. I can tell you with my chronic pain, some days I don't really care if the electricity is going to get shut off,” he added.

“Anytime you have multiple deployments, that also means then you have multiple points of obligation,” Saleem Abdul-Mateen of the Muslim American Veterans Association told Press TV.

Millard went on to say that some vets don't realize there are programs which can help, adding that if the Department of Veterans Affairs had not helped an estimated 66,000 families avoid foreclosure last year, the number of military and veterans losing their homes would have been much higher.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163795.html

Bush avoids Switzerland over arrest fear

Bush has cancelled his planned visit to Switzerland following outcry that he be tried over the torture of prisoners. EPA Photo

Former US President George W Bush cancels his trip to Switzerland amid mounting pressure to arrest him over allegations of ordering the torture of prisoners.

Bush had been scheduled to speak at a fundraiser for Keren Hayesod -- a Zionist organization which supports and finances Israel -- in Geneva on February 12.

Human rights groups in the country and around the world have called on him to stand trial for sanctioning the use of torture against prisoners held in overseas military bases.

Court officials in Geneva said criminal complaints have been filed against Bush, Sky News reported.

The New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights and several European groups say they intended to file a formal complaint against Bush and would urge Swiss prosecutors to open a criminal case upon his arrival in the country, The Washington Post stated.

Activists were also planning to stage a protest outside of the fundraising event during his visit.

Organizers had called for people to bring a shoe to the rally outside the Hotel Wilson where the dinner is to be held. The shoe was meant to serve as a tribute to the Iraqi journalist, who threw his shoe at Bush during a news conference in Iraq in 2008.

Bush spokesman David Sherzer said in an e-mailed statement, "President Bush was looking forward to speaking about freedom and offering reflections from his time in office."

In his memoir Decision Points, released last November, Bush made it clear that he had approved the use of water boarding in interrogation of so-called "terror suspects."

He recalled in the memoir that when the CIA asked him whether it could proceed with water boarding of Khalid Sheik Mohammed -- the alleged plotter of the 9/11 attacks -- he had replied "damn right."
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163978.html

'Mubarak glued to seat of power'

Cairo's Liberation Square remains flooded with demonstrators who call on President Hosni Mubarak to immediately step down.

As protesters across Egypt enter their 13th consecutive day calling for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's immediate resignation, analyst Roula Talj says Mubarak “is glued to his seat,” following his 30 years in power.

Mubarak is doing his best to stay in power “as well as people like Omar Suleiman and other figures of the former regime” Talj said in an exclusive interview with Press TV.

“There are regional and international forces trying to gain time until they find a decent alternative” she added.

It is “the decision of the people of Egypt right now [if] they would like to go forward with their own agenda or wait for the West to realize what is going on and put a grip over the revolution,” she noted.

Egyptians seek Mubarak's resignation after 13 days of protests that has already claimed over 300 lives and thousands of injuries, according to the United Nations.

The protesters named the 13th day as “Day of Martyrs,” to honor fallen martyrs in the North African country.

The protesters have managed to keep their position despite a heavy army presence and attacks by pro-government thugs.

They say their achievements in recent days make it impossible for them to turn back without Mubarak quitting power.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163890.html

Egypt 13th protests day, Day of Martyrs

Cairo's Liberation Square remains flooded with demonstrators who call on President Hosni Mubarak to immediately step down.

Anti-government protests in troubled Egypt have entered its 13th consecutive day as Cairo's Liberation Square remains flooded with demonstrators who call on President Hosni Mubarak to immediately step down.

The protesters named the 13th day as “Day of Martyrs,” to honor fallen martyrs. They are now calling for fresh multi-million-strong marches across the crisis-hit country on Sunday, a Press TV correspondent said.

They have managed to keep their position despite a heavy army presence and attacks by pro-government thugs.

The protesters say their achievements in recent days make it impossible for them to turn back until Mubarak quits power.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood has announced that it has started talks with the authorities.

"Keeping in mind the interests of the nation and its institutions and concerned about preserving the country's independence... we decided to begin talks to see up to what point they are ready to accept the demands of the people," AFP quoted an official from the Muslim Brotherhood as saying.

A report says the talks have already started between the two sides, while others say a dialogue between representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian cabinet is scheduled for Sunday.

The opposition group says the move is aimed at examining how ready the Egyptian government is to accept the demands of the people.

On Saturday, Egyptian state television announced that Mubarak has resigned as chairman of the ruling National Democratic Party.

Senior members of Mubarak's party also resigned on Saturday, but demonstrators staging a 12th day of revolution rejected the shuffle as a cosmetic move.

Mubarak also reportedly held talks with key cabinet members to try to kick-start Egypt's economy, which has been hit hard by the ongoing protests. 
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163865.html

Egypt protesters mass in Liberation Sq.

Egyptians camped out in Cairo's Liberation Square have vowed to continue their protests to oust President Hosni Mubarak .

Much larger crowds of Egyptian protesters have been entering Cairo's Liberation Square on the 13th day of anti-government protests as the government is trying to back everything to normal.

The Egyptian army on Sunday tightened security around the square in the Egyptian capital as the massive countrywide demonstrations entered their thirteenth day, which was dubbed “Day of Martyrs”, a Press TV correspondent reported.

The soldiers patrolled Cairo's streets as the Egyptian government tries to reopen banks and shops in the city center after almost two weeks of closure.

The government moved to get people back to work following twelve days of protests while the protesters have pledged to continue the revolution until Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak steps down.

The incumbent Egyptian president, however, insists that he will stay in office until the next presidential election in September.

On Saturday, Egyptian state television announced that Mubarak has resigned as chairman of the ruling National Democratic Party.

Senior members of Mubarak's party also resigned on the same day, but demonstrators staging a 12th day of revolution rejected the shuffle as a cosmetic move.

Mubarak also reportedly held talks with key cabinet members to try to kick-start Egypt's economy, which has been hit hard by the ongoing protests.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163897.html

Egypt's MB, VP begin landmark talks

Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman

Egypt's main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, has started landmark talks with Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman amid the mass protests across the crisis-hit country.

According to the group's website, the senior officials of Muslim Brotherhood began the historic talks on the 13th day of anti-government protests, demanding an immediate elimination of Emergency Law and guarantees for peaceful protests.

"We are starting a round of talks to know how serious they are about responding to the demands of the people," Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Gamal Abul Nasser said.

The group's officials say they would drop out if demands expressed by the protesters during the last two weeks are not met.

The Muslim Brotherhood calls for equal opportunities to all political parties in the media and the halting of the State TV's efforts to distort facts.

The opposition group also calls the formation of a national coalition transitional government.

The government has pledged to hold talks with all opposition parties to discuss democratic reforms that would lead to the replacement of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The Muslim Brotherhood is officially banned in Egypt. The group, however, enjoys wide popular support.

Meanwhile, much larger crowds of Egyptian protesters have been entering Cairo's Liberation Square on Sunday morning as the government is trying to back everything to normal.

A Press TV correspondent reported on Sunday that the Egyptian army have tightened security around the square in the Egyptian capital and prevent food from reaching protesters in the square as the massive countrywide demonstrations entered their thirteenth day, which was dubbed “Day of Martyrs.”

On Saturday, Egyptian state television announced that Mubarak has resigned as chairman of the ruling National Democratic Party.

Senior members of Mubarak's party also resigned on the same day, but demonstrators staging a 13th day of revolution rejected the shuffle as a cosmetic move.

Beleaguered Mubarak also reportedly held talks with key cabinet members to try to kick-start Egypt's economy, which has been hit hard by the ongoing protests in the North African country.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163900.html

British firms help Egypt dictatorship

British companies have been hit for working “hand in glove with dictatorship” in Egypt over their close cooperation with the president Hosni Mubarak's regime.

Egypt has been the scene of mass protests especially in the capital Cairo where millions-strong rallies have been held in the city's central al-Tahrir square to call for an end to Mubarak's 30 year rule.

The protests have led to sporadic violence between the protestors and the security forces some of them in plainclothes raising fears of human rights abuses.

Anti-Egyptian government groups slammed Vodafone, the world's biggest mobile phone operator, for helping Mubarak regime by shutting down the mobile phone network in the Middle Eastern country.

Meanwhile, the social justice group Platform lashed out at BP for using its influence in the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo to persuade the US Congress to withdraw support for a recent motion, which called on Mubarak to hold fair elections and respect human rights.

Platform also hit BP Egypt chairman Hesham Mekawi for his praise for the “stability of the country”.

This comes as BP, which is running oil operations worth $14 billion in Egypt, claimed its presence in Egypt has benefited the entire population there.

"We've been in Egypt for 40-plus years as a major investor in the country's industry, employing a well-trained workforce in quality jobs, supplying significant amounts of energy to meet the rapidly growing population's needs," said a spokesman.

The oil giant is expecting to earn almost 10% of its overall oil production from Egypt in the coming years after discovery of massive fields in the country.

Meanwhile, Vodafone's Collao said they have some of their “infrastructure” damaged while insisting they had no other choice than abiding by Mubarak regime's orders to shut down the mobile network.

"The network was down for 24 hours. We didn't have any option as the government was within its rights under emergency powers that it invoked after the outbreak of demonstrations," the British company said.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163931.html

US uses UK nukes as bargaining chip

The US government has used Britain's nuclear secrets as a bargaining chip in its talks with Russia on the controversial 'New STARY' treaty, it has been disclosed.

The US secretly agreed to give the Russians sensitive information about every Trident missile it supplies to Britain to appease them into signing the new arms control treaty, the Daily Telegraph reported.

New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a bilateral nuclear arms reduction treaty signed between the United States and the Russian Federation. The treaty was first signed on April 8, 2010, in Prague by Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, the presidents of the two countries.

New START is a follow-up to the 1991 START One treaty, which expired in December 2009, and to START Two and the 2002 Treaty of Moscow (SORT), which was due to expire in December 2012.

Britain has tried so far to maintain a policy of refusing to confirm the exact size of its nuke arsenal, something that defense analysts believe will now be undermined by revelation of a secret US-Russian agreement.

The revelation of the behind-the-scenes talks is yet another blow to the so-called 'special relationship' between the US and Britain.

The talks are contained in more than 1,400 US embassy cables published by the whistle blower website the WikiLeaks and in partnership with the Daily Telegraph.
The leaked cables reveal that Russia has used the talks on New START treaty to demand more information about the UK's Trident missiles, which the US manufactures and maintains them.

“This appears to be significant because while the UK has announced how many missiles it possesses, there has been no way for the Russians to verify this. Over time, the unique identifiers will provide them with another data point to gauge the size of the British arsenal”, said Professor Malcolm Chalmers.

“They want to find out whether Britain has more missiles than we say we have, and having the unique identifiers might help them”, said Duncan Lennox, editor of Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems.

While the US and Russia have long permitted inspections of each other's nuclear weapons, Britain has sought to maintain some secrecy to compensate for the relatively small size of its arsenal.

William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, last year disclosed that “up to 160” warheads are operational at any one time, but did not confirm the number of missiles.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163934.html

Israel appoints new chief of staff

Israel's former deputy chief of staff Major General Benny Gantz

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has appointed Major General Benny Gantz as the regime's 20th armed forces chief of staff after months of infighting among the high command over the issue.

Barak said he has Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's backing for promoting Gantz, a former deputy chief of staff, to head Israel's military, Israeli media reported.

The decision was taken for "the urgent need at this time to dispel the uncertainties surrounding the appointment of a chief of general staff," Barak said.

The choice of Gantz has to be ratified by the government on Sunday and also by an ethics committee.

Barak's first choice for the post, Major General Yoav Galant, was ruled out by the attorney general and the state comptroller last Tuesday after he was accused of illegally obtaining land around his house on Moshav Amikam.

Galant commanded Israel's 22-day war on the Gaza Strip in December-January 2008, during which at least 1,400 Palestinians, more than half of them civilians were killed and thousands of others were displaced.

Former chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Barak were "no longer able to work together," Israeli dailyHa'aretz quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Tension between the two increased amid calls by politicians and public figures to extend Ashkenazi's term as chief of staff beyond his scheduled retirement on February 14 and until the cabinet appoints a suitable successor.

Barak has formerly accused Ashkenazi of ethical and professional flaws.


http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163942.html

Thugs loot Cairo Int. Media Center

Security forces and thugs have raided and looted the International Center for Media in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, as the revolution in the crisis-hit country enters its 13th day.

The International Center for Media announced on Sunday that all the equipment at its Cairo office has been seized by the assailants, a Press Tv correspondent reported.

This is while, Egypt's main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, has started landmark talks with Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman demanding an immediate elimination of Emergency Law and guarantees for peaceful protests.

Meanwhile, much larger crowds of Egyptian protesters have been entering Cairo's Liberation Square to mark the 13th day of revolution, dubbed “Day of Martyrs.”

The Egyptian army has tightened security around the square in the Egyptian capital.

Egypt's incumbent President Hosni Mubarak, however, insists that he will stay in office until the next presidential election in September.

On Saturday, Egyptian state television announced that Mubarak has resigned as chairman of the ruling National Democratic Party.

Senior members of Mubarak's party also resigned on the same day, but demonstrators staging a 12th day of revolution rejected the shuffle as a cosmetic move.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163901.html

Iran begins trial of three US spies

File photo of the two US detainees Shane Bauer (L) and Josh Fattal

The trial of the three US nationals detained in Iran for illegal entry and charged with espionage has begun in the Iranian capital of Tehran behind closed doors.

The trial, which heard the charges brought against Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, began at 10 a.m. on Sunday in Tehran's Revolution Court.

Bauer, Fattal and Shourd were arrested in July 2009 after illegally crossing the border into Iran from the mountains of northern Iraq's Kurdistan region.

Shourd was not present at the first session of the trial; however, her lawyer submitted a statement on her behalf.

The three have pleaded not guilty.

The Tehran Prosecutor's office says it has 'compelling evidence' that three were cooperating with US intelligence agencies.

No date has been confirmed for the next court session.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163932.html

Egypt protesters call for final countdown

Egyptian anti-government demonstrators gather in Liberation Square in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011. AP photo

Egyptian protesters call for fresh multi-million-strong rallies against out-of-favor President Hosni Mubarak and his government in the coming days.

Egyptian demonstrators gathered in Cairo's Liberation Square on Sunday to honor the martyrs of 13 days of anti-government protests.

They have managed to stay in the central square, despite heavy army presence and attacks by pro-government thugs.

Protesters say their achievements in recent days have made it impossible for them to give up until President Mubarak quits power.

The developments come as the government has entered talks with opposition groups to discuss political reforms.

Egypt's opposition party, the Muslim Brotherhood, has agreed to join talks with the government of President Mubarak but says that the meeting is “in no way in the form of negotiations, it is rather statement of our demands.”

Senior party officials said they would enter talks with Vice-President Omar Suleiman, but will drop out if the demands made by the protesters during the last two weeks are not met.

Earlier, the Muslim Brotherhood representative in Britain, Mohammad Ghanem, confirmed to Press TV that his party will hold talks with the government. However, he said the position of the Muslim Brotherhood has not changed.

The government has pledged to hold talks with all opposition parties to discuss democratic reforms that would lead to the replacement of President Mubarak.

The Muslim Brotherhood is officially banned in Egypt. The group, however, enjoys popular support.

Meanwhile, people and leaders around the world are rallying in solidarity with the Egyptian people's protests against Mubarak.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a democratic transition in Egypt as soon as possible.

Erdogan suggested that an interim administration be formed to pave the way for the fulfillment of the Egyptian people's demands.

The Turkish leader said democratic change in Egypt would have a positive impact on the entire region.

Earlier, Erdogan called on the Egyptian president to immediately step down, saying Mubarak's promise to resign in September is not enough.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163940.html

Mubarak paid thugs to buy support

A photo showing clashes between plainclothes police and anti-government protesters near Liberation Square on February 3, 2011.

Reports have suggested that the Hosni Mubarak regime's operatives paid thousands of Egyptian pounds to thugs to buy their loyalty and have them attack protesters.

A video posted on Press TV's UReport section, shows one Egyptian recounting how the interior ministry paid thousands of Egyptian pounds to several prisoners and thugs in return for their pledge of allegiance.

Several citizens from Cairo and other major cities have contacted regional media outlets to tell their personal stories.

A young man from a village in Alexandria says he was among a group of more than 30, who each received EGP 5,000.

He said that the group was assigned to chant pro-Mubarak slogans and attack anti-regime protesters.

The interior ministry had deployed hundreds of thugs and plainclothes police in central Cairo and other cities to contain the protests.

Clashes and pitched battles between plainclothes police and anti-government protesters scores of people dead in and around Cairo's Liberation Square.

Several people were also killed in Suez, Alexandria, Mansoura and other cities.

The UN says at least 300 people have been killed and thousands more have been wounded in Egypt in the nearly two weeks of protest against the government.

Meanwhile, thousands of Egyptians have gathered in Cairo's Liberation Square to honor the martyrs of the 13 days of anti-government protests.

Despite talks between the opposition and the government, Egyptians continue to demand Mubarak's regime steps down. 

Mubarak regime makes big concessions

After meeting with opposition representatives, the Egyptian government agrees to the formation of a constitutional reform panel and the release of political prisoners.

Vice President Omar Suleiman, who is known to be cooperating with CIA, met a wide representation of major opposition groups on Sunday, nearly two weeks since the start of massive anti-government protests across the country.

Suleiman endorsed a plan with the opposition to set up a committee of judiciary and political figures to study proposed constitutional amendments that would allow more candidates to run for president and impose term limits on the presidency, the state news agency reported.

The committee was given until the first week of March to finish the tasks.

A spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood commented on the outcome of the meeting saying, “We hope to take the country to stability, security and democracy, which can bring in the future prosperity, equality, justice and human dignity for all Egyptians.”

Millions of Egyptians took to the streets on Sunday to honor hundreds of protesters killed during the anti-government rallies of the past 13 days.

In the Egyptian capital Cairo tens of thousands of people have gathered in Liberation Square for what they have dubbed the "Day of Martyrs."

Protesters are flooding into the heart of the city despite heavy military presence. The army has promised not to use force against protesters.

Protesters are demanding an immediate end to President Hosni Mubarak's three decades in power.

They say they will not leave the streets unless their demands are met. They are now calling for fresh millions-strong marches across Egypt.

The UN says at least 300 people have been killed and thousands more have been wounded in Egypt in the nearly two weeks of protest against the government.

People around the world are rallying to show solidarity with the Egyptian people.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163955.html