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Al-Qa’ida Leader on FBI Most-Wanted List Killed in Air Strike
An Al-Qa’ida leader featured on the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list for his participation in the 2000 attack on the USS Cole has been killed in Yemen by a missile fired from a drone operated by the CIA. Fahd Al-Quso died along with an associate in the southern Shabwa province on Sunday according to Yemeni officials. American officials speaking under the condition of anonymity confirmed US involvement to the Associated Press. The operation was part of a concerted effort by the US and Yemen to neutralize Al-Qa’ida in southern Yemen. Al-Quso had a $5 million price on his head for his role in the Cole bombing which left 17 American sailors dead and 39 wounded in the Gulf of Aden. He had served five years in a Yemeni jail for the act. He was also implicated in the Christmas 2009 attempted airline bombing by a Nigerian terrorist who became known as the “underwear bomber.”
Syrian Dichotomy: Parliamentary Elections While Violence Prevails
Syrians are going to the polls on Monday against the bizarre backdrop of the continued onslaught against its critics by the regime of Bashar Al-Asad. The election was originally set for September 2011, but was re-set to May 7 as part of President Bashar Al-Asad’s promised “reform process.” In the past 14 months – including the period of Al-Asad’s reform – more than 11,000 Syrians have been killed by the Al-Asad regime. The election, which is being boycotted by the opposition, represents the first time that multi-party elections are being allowed. 7,195 candidates representing nine political parties are vying for 250 seats in parliament according to the state-run SANA news agency. More deaths were reported on Sunday and a mass-grave containing six bodies was discovered in Idlib province.
Palestinian Cabinet to Undergo Reshuffle; Fayyad to Keep PM Post
The Palestinian Authority will undergo a reshuffling of its cabinet in coming days, but Prime Minister Salam Fayyad will apparently remain in his position albeit without control of the treasury. Fayyad’s removal had been a key demand of Hamas in negotiating a reconciliation deal with Fatah. But the cabinet-in-formation will be set by Fatah and will not be a unity government with the participation of Hamas because negotiations between the two factions have stalled. Azzam Al-Ahmad, who has been representing Fatah in negotiations with Hamas, said in Ramallah on Monday that any talk of elections is “premature.” Fatah has been preventing the process of registering voters in the Gaza Strip.
Ten-Year-Old Tunisian Boy Refuses to Play Israeli in Chess Match
A ten-year old Tunisian boy has reportedly achieved star-status not for his prowess at playing chess, but for refusing to compete in a chess match against an Israeli opponent. Muhammad Hamida has been praised in Tunisian media for his solidarity with the Palestinian cause and for rejecting normalization with Israel. The incident occurred in Romania where the World School Chess Championship is taking place. One minister in the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip praised the young boy’s “bravery.”
American Gay Community Praises Israeli Ambassador’s Appearance at Conference
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren raised eyebrows and earned the praise of America’s gay and lesbian community when he appeared and spoke at its Equality Forum in Philadelphia on Saturday night. Oren, who has been openly supportive of the LBGT community since taking office, built on his reputation when he told the “Focus on Israel” session that, “Israel's LBGT community is part of the country's diverse and thriving social fabric. Together, we are soldiers, professors, legislators, judges, factory workers, members of the medical professions, and teachers. Together, we are not gays, heterosexuals, bisexuals, or trans-genders, but proud Israelis.” As reported by the economic magazine Globes, Oren also noted in his speech that the same sense of inclusion is not enjoyed by Palestinian gays whose gay-rights organizations are based in Israel rather than in the Palestinian Authority.
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