Iran Pressures Syria Not To Export Flour To Egypt

Iran has been attempting to persuade Syria to cancel the flour-for-rice deal it has concluded between it and Egypt, which is suffering from a severe bread shortage.

The pressure comes in response to Egypt's refusal to normalize relations with Iran; to its protest against Iranian intervention in Lebanon, in Iraq, and, recently, in Sudan; and to the Egyptian media's criticism of Iran. +

It was reported that Iranian presidential advisor and Industry and Mines minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian is behind the move.

Syria has refused to comply with Iran's pressure.

An Iranian paper reported that UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Daid Al-Nahian has decided to purchise millions of tons of wheat and to give it to Egypt as a gift.

Source: Al-Masryoon, Egypt, May 18, 2008, Al-Vefagh, Iran, May 19, 2008

Al-Jazeera and the Released Terrorist's Birthday Party, Special Dispatch Series - No. 2013 - August 4, 2008

Pakistani FM: The U.S. May Not Carry Out Military Operations in Pakistan , Special Dispatch Series - No. 2011 - August 1, 2008

Tunisian Intellectual Lafif Lakhdar in Open Letter to Syrian President Assad: Shake Hands with Olmert and Greet Him with 'Shalom', Special Dispatch Series - No. 2009 - July 31, 2008

Egyptian Islamic Preacher 'Amr Khaled: Within 20 Years, Muslims Will Be Majority in Europe; Muslims in Europe Should Be "Ambassadors for Islam", Special Dispatch Series - No. 2003 - July 27, 2008

Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide: Bin Laden is a Jihad Fighter, Special Dispatch Series - No. 2001 - July 25, 2008

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Egyptian blogger Abdelkareem Nabil Suleiman was arrested for allegedly "defaming the President of Egypt" and "highlighting inappropriate aspects the harm the reputation of Egypt" on his blog.

A petition calling for his release has been posted online by the HAMSA organization ("Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance"), an American Muslim association for promoting civil rights in the Middle East.

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