عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Palestinian Prime Minister Announces New Reform Package

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa speaks to journalists in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, during his visit to the area in the aftermath of a deadly raid by Israeli forces in the nearby Nur Shams refugee camp, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP)
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa speaks to journalists in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, during his visit to the area in the aftermath of a deadly raid by Israeli forces in the nearby Nur Shams refugee camp, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP)
TT
TT

Palestinian Prime Minister Announces New Reform Package

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa speaks to journalists in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, during his visit to the area in the aftermath of a deadly raid by Israeli forces in the nearby Nur Shams refugee camp, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP)
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa speaks to journalists in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, during his visit to the area in the aftermath of a deadly raid by Israeli forces in the nearby Nur Shams refugee camp, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP)

Newly installed Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa announced a package of reforms on Tuesday aimed at strengthening the Palestinian Authority (PA) amid increased global pressure for a revival of political dialogue with Israel.

Mustafa, appointed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas earlier this year, said his government would introduce measures to improve transparency and fight corruption, overhaul the justice system and security sectors and improve public sector efficiency.

In addition, he said the health and education system would be improved, public finances strengthened and economic reforms implemented.

The reform pledges largely match promises previously made by his predecessor Mohammed Shtayyeh, who announced his resignation in February as the PA looked to build support for an expanded role amid Israel's war against the group Hamas in Gaza.

The United States and other international partners have pressed the PA to implement sweeping reforms to restore confidence among Palestinians who have become deeply disillusioned with the body set up under the interim Oslo Peace Accords more than 30 years ago.

The urgency to make reforms has increased as attention has turned towards the governance of Gaza, once Israel winds up its military campaign against Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel led by fighters from the movement.

Despite resistance from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Washington and its allies say the PA must be involved in administering the enclave once Israeli troops pull out.

The United States and most Western countries say only a two-state solution, entailing an independent Palestinian state next to Israel, can offer the chance of a peaceful resolution to decades of conflict.

However, Abbas reacted angrily last week when Washington vetoed a Palestinian request for full United Nations membership, saying the PA would reconsider bilateral ties with the United States following the decision.

The PA has been grappling with a severe financial crisis which has left most public sector employees receiving only part of their normal salary for the past two years.

The crisis has worsened since the start of the war in Gaza as Israel has cut off some of the tax revenues it collects on the PA's behalf, accusing the Authority of supporting Hamas.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Three French Tourists Killed as Boat Capsizes off Oman

Image published by the Royal Oman Police of the distressed tourist boat (Oman News Agency)
Image published by the Royal Oman Police of the distressed tourist boat (Oman News Agency)
TT
TT

Three French Tourists Killed as Boat Capsizes off Oman

Image published by the Royal Oman Police of the distressed tourist boat (Oman News Agency)
Image published by the Royal Oman Police of the distressed tourist boat (Oman News Agency)

A boat carrying French tourists capsized off the shore of Oman on Tuesday, police said, killing three people and injuring two others.

The boat overturned 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 kilometers) from Sultan Qaboos Port in the capital Muscat "carrying a group of 25 French tourists including the tour guide and boat captain, resulting in the death of three tourists and injuries to two others," Omani police said in a statement on X.

"Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident," they added.

Oman is increasingly attracting attention from international travelers, especially nature lovers drawn to its mountains and coastline.

The country welcomed nearly four million visitors in 2024, with the government aiming to triple that figure by 2040 by focusing on sustainable tourism.

Arab World

Mazloum Abdi: We Will Take Advantage of Truce to Advance Dec. 18 Agreement

Forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) completed their withdrawal to the Hasakah region in northeastern Syria (Reuters). 
Forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) completed their withdrawal to the Hasakah region in northeastern Syria (Reuters). 
TT
TT

Mazloum Abdi: We Will Take Advantage of Truce to Advance Dec. 18 Agreement

Forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) completed their withdrawal to the Hasakah region in northeastern Syria (Reuters). 
Forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) completed their withdrawal to the Hasakah region in northeastern Syria (Reuters). 

Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said efforts had been underway for some time to reach a ceasefire, noting that the current truce was implemented “at the request of the US military.”

“We are ready to implement the agreement in the near term, and there is understanding on many issues,” Abdi said in remarks to the Kurdish Ronahi TV channel. “We will use the truce period to make tangible progress on the Dec. 18 agreement.”

He explained that, under the agreement, government forces would not enter Kurdish-majority areas, while SDF institutions would be integrated into state institutions.

He added that Damascus had been asked not to enter the city and had agreed, expressing hope that the commitment would be upheld. Abdi said any solution for Kobani and Qamishli must also include Ras al-Ayn and Afrin.

Abdi said negotiations with Damascus were continuing under international sponsorship, with the involvement of the United States at political and military levels, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron.

He stressed that the talks should not be considered a final agreement, adding that international efforts to de-escalate would succeed as long as Damascus honored its commitments and no “unacceptable” conditions were imposed.

He said the SDF remained ready to implement the Dec. 18 agreement with Damascus within a short period, noting that names had been proposed for the posts of deputy defense minister and governor of Hasakah, though no final list had yet been agreed.

Meanwhile, the SDF said on Monday that heavy clashes had erupted with Syrian government-affiliated factions southeast of Kobani, after attacks launched at dawn.

The fighting continued, particularly in the town of Jalbiya, amid reinforcements including tanks and armored vehicles and intensive Turkish drone activity. Syria’s Defense Ministry accused the SDF of violating the ceasefire and launching more than 25 drone attacks on army positions around Kobani.

 

 

 

 

Arab World

Türkiye Bans Protests in Province Bordering Syria

Pro-Kurdish protesters tear down a border fence as they attempt to cross to the Kurdish-controlled northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli during a demonstration in support of Syrian Kurds and against recent military clashes between the Syrian army and Kurdish forces, in Nusaybin, southeastern Türkiye, January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Ensar Ozdemir
Pro-Kurdish protesters tear down a border fence as they attempt to cross to the Kurdish-controlled northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli during a demonstration in support of Syrian Kurds and against recent military clashes between the Syrian army and Kurdish forces, in Nusaybin, southeastern Türkiye, January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Ensar Ozdemir
TT
TT

Türkiye Bans Protests in Province Bordering Syria

Pro-Kurdish protesters tear down a border fence as they attempt to cross to the Kurdish-controlled northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli during a demonstration in support of Syrian Kurds and against recent military clashes between the Syrian army and Kurdish forces, in Nusaybin, southeastern Türkiye, January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Ensar Ozdemir
Pro-Kurdish protesters tear down a border fence as they attempt to cross to the Kurdish-controlled northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli during a demonstration in support of Syrian Kurds and against recent military clashes between the Syrian army and Kurdish forces, in Nusaybin, southeastern Türkiye, January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Ensar Ozdemir

Turkish officials in the southeastern Mardin province bordering Syria on Monday announced a six-day ban on gatherings following an outpouring of anger over an offensive against Kurdish fighters across the border.

Türkiye's Kurdish community has denounced the government's support for a Syrian offensive against a semi-autonomous northeastern region under Kurdish control.

During a protest to denounce the operation last week, over 1,000 people attempted to breach the border crossing into Syria from the town of Nusaybin.

The ban on gatherings in Mardin is in place until Saturday evening.

"With the exception of events deemed appropriate ... any action intended to be carried out in open spaces (gatherings, marches, press conferences, hunger strikes, sit-ins, the setting up of stands, the pitching of tents, the distribution of leaflets/brochures, the posting of posters/banners, etc.) is prohibited," the Mardin governorate said in a statement.

Türkiye's pro-Kurdish DEM party had called a protest on Tuesday in Nusaybin, which is across the border from the Syrian city of Qamishli.

The call came despite the ceasefire currently in effect in northern Syria.

Türkiye already banned outdoor gatherings in Diyarbakir, the main city in the predominantly Kurdish southeast, between Friday and Monday evening.

The Turkish government has launched a peace process with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), but the clashes in northern Syria threaten to derail negotiations.