France calls for swift lifting of sanctions on Qatari nationals

WORLD NEWS

Responsible Author: Reuters Staff | DOHA, 07/16/2017, 02:08 Time

USPA NEWS - France called on Saturday for a swift lifting of sanctions that target Qatari nationals in an effort to ease a month-long rift between the Gulf country and several of its neighbours.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt imposed sanctions on Qatar on June 5, accusing it of financing extremist groups and allying with the Gulf Arab states' arch-foe Iran. Doha denies the accusations.

"France calls for the lifting, as soon as possible, of the measures that affect the populations in particular, bi-national families that have been separated or students," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters in Doha, after he met his counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

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After deadly shooting, Israel says Jerusalem Noble Sanctuary to reopen Sunday

WORLD NEWS

Responsible Author: Reuters Staff | Jerusalem - Gaza , 07/16/2017, 02:03 Time

USPA NEWS - Israel will reopen the Noble Sanctuary-Temple Mount compound on Sunday, a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, after the holy site had been shut down following a deadly shooting.

On Friday, three Arab-Israeli gunmen shot dead two Israeli policemen on the outskirts of the compound, holy to Muslims and Jews, and were then killed by security forces. It was one of the most serious attacks in the area in years. [L8N1K50JP]

Israeli authorities then shut the compound down citing security concerns, just hours before Muslim Friday prayers.

That move prompted anger among Muslim worshippers and was condemned by Palestinian religious and political leaders, Jordan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, a world Islamic body, among others, who called for the site to be reopened immediately.

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