Monday 9 March 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Serena returns, Djokovic defends at Indian Wells

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INDIAN WELLS (AFP) - Serena Williams returns to the WTA and ATP event at Indian Wells this week for the first time since 2001 while defending mens champion Novak Djokovic is seeking his fourth title.World number one Williams, who captured her 19th Grand Slam singles crown at this years Australian Open, announced last month in Time magazine she was ending her boycott of the tournament over racial insults from her 2001 run to the title.Williams won the Indian Wells crown in 1999 at age 17 and again in 2001 when she rallied to beat Kim Clijsters in the final after a controversial semi-final walkover when her sister Venus, who is not returning, pulled out rather than play Serena.Many spectators felt robbed of the chance to see the siblings play, thinking it a move mandated by their father Richard to enable Serena to save precious energy for the final, and hecklers expressed frustration and anger so strenuously that Williams struggled under the verbal venom.It has been difficult for me to forget spending hours crying in the Indian Wells locker room after winning in 2001, driving back to Los Angeles feeling as if I had lost the biggest game ever -- not a mere tennis game but a bigger fight for equality, Williams wrote in Time.I said a few times that I would never play there again. And believe me, I meant it. I admit it scared me. What if I walked onto the court and the entire crowd booed me? The nightmare would start all over.Williams says she has grown to forgive those whose actions kept her away for so long.Im just following my heart on this one, Williams wrote. Indian Wells was a pivotal moment of my story and I am a part of the tournaments story as well. Together we have a chance to write a different ending.Only Czech number four Petra Kvitova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, and 17th-ranked Venus Williams are absent from the top 20 on the womens side, where play begins on Wednesday.Serena and Russias second-ranked Maria Sharapova, like all of the 32 top seeds, will have a first-round bye and start later in the week. Italys 16th-ranked Flavia Pennetta is the defending womens champion.On the mens side, Djokovic hopes to claim back-to-back crowns in the California desert after claiming his fifth Australian Open title, and eighth major singles trophy, this year at Melbourne.The 27-year-old Serbian star also won Indian Wells finals in 2011 and 2008 before conquering Swiss icon Roger Federer in last years final.Also bidding for a fourth Indian Wells championship is Spains Rafael Nadal, who won in 2007, 2009 and 2013.Federer seeks his fifth Indian Wells trophy after sweeping titles from 2004-2006 and taking the top prize in 2012.Since 2003, the only Indian Wells champion not from among that star trio is 2010 winner Ivan Ljubicic, although 2009 runner-up Andy Murray of Britain hopes to change that.

Federer faces next generation Dimitrov in MSG exhibition

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NEW YORK (AP) - To Roger Federer, the math is simple: He owns a record 17 major titles, Rafael Nadal has 14, and the Spaniard dominates a certain grass-court Grand Slam tournament.If he wins the French Open a few more times and I dont win any more, then clearly he can catch me very quickly, Federer said Monday.For the part about not winning another major championship, Federer was clearly speaking hypothetically. His game looks sharp at age 33, with victories in two of his three tournaments this year, including a recent defeat of top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the final in Dubai.Then again, the other tournament he entered was a Grand Slam event, and Federer lost in the third round to journeyman Andreas Seppi.He mused Monday about putting more separation between himself and the 28-year-old Nadal, whose health is probably the biggest obstacle to breaking the record. But Federer quickly added with a grin: Thats not why Im still on tour, just to remind you guys.I hope to make it more difficult for them, he said of Nadal and Djokovic, who has eight Grand Slam titles at age 27. But at the end of the day, records are there to be broken.The second-ranked Federers exhibition match Tuesday at Madison Square Garden is no doubt meant as a meeting of generations. Grigor Dimitrov is nearly a decade younger than Federer and got tagged with the nickname Baby Fed for the resemblance of their games.Federer recalled Monday that the first time he practiced against a 16-year-old Dimitrov, he couldnt believe how he was playing, how similar it was to me.Federer has won all three meetings between the two, leading Dimitrov to quip: Its always a pleasure when I play against him, even though Im losing the last three times.Dimitrov, who is currently ranked 11th, reached his first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon last year, falling to Djokovic in four sets. He so far has been unable to build on the breakthrough, losing in the round of 16 in his next two major tournaments.Federer wound up pushing Djokovic to five sets in the Wimbledon final, falling short of his first Grand Slam title since 2012. The next major tournament happens to be the French Open, where Nadal could pull within two though injuries are always a concern with him these days.Before Federer faces Dimitrov on Tuesday, Monica Seles and Gabriela Sabatini will face off to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their classic five-set WTA Finals match at the Garden.

Tennis: Murray up to 4th in world rankings

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PARIS (AFP) - Andy Murrays heroics for Britain in the Davis Cup at the weekend have seen him rise back up to fourth in the ATP world rankings.Murray defeated both Donald Young and John Isner as he spearheaded his side to a win over the United States in Glasgow in a World Group first round tie.That helped the Scot move back ahead of Kei Nishikori who won both of his singles for Japan against Canada but still finished up on the losing side.Novak Djokovic, who won both singles and doubles for Serbia in a 5-0 whitewash of Croatia, remained comfortably top of the rankings, 4,000 points clear of second placed Roger Federer, with Rafael Nadal in third. 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 13,2052. Roger Federer (SUI) 9,2053. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 5,6754. Andy Murray (GBR) 5,425 (1)5. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 5,415 (-1)6. Milos Raonic (CAN) 4,9807. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 4,5958. David Ferrer (ESP) 4,5359. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 4,34010. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,450

Football: Old boy Welbeck fells Man United in FA Cup

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - Danny Welbeck claimed revenge for his departure from Manchester United by scoring the winner as holders Arsenal reached the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 away victory on Monday.The Manchester-born United academy graduate, who joined the club at the age of eight, left in a 16 million pound ($24.2 million, 22.3 million euros) deal last September after being deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Louis van Gaal.And he returned to haunt his former club as Arsenal claimed a first victory at Old Trafford since 2006.Welbeck pounced on a mistake by Antonio Valencia to score a 61st-minute winner after Wayne Rooney had cancelled out Nacho Monreals opener, and Uniteds evening ended in ignominy when Angel di Maria was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for manhandling referee Michael Oliver.Uniteds wait for FA Cup success will now stretch into a 12th year and their sole objective is now the race for Champions League qualification, in which they currently trail Arsenal by a point.With Jonny Evans beginning a six-game ban for spitting at Newcastle Uniteds Papiss Cisse, Luke Shaw came into the United defence, but although that was the only change to the hosts line-up, they displayed uncertainty from the off.Van Gaal again played Marouane Fellaini in support of Rooney and the Belgian illustrated his unique strengths by chesting down a flighted pass from Di Maria and teeing up Ashley Young, who shot over.Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started on the right for Arsenal, with Mesut Ozil in the centre, and in the 26th minute the England midfielder marked his return to the starting XI by creating the opening goal.Having earlier been granted the space to put a cross-shot wide, Oxlade-Chamberlain wriggled between Daley Blind, Shaw and Valencia before stabbing a pass to Monreal, who beat David de Gea at his near post.Uniteds fans were quick to voice their annoyance, but they were off their feet just three minutes later when Rooney met Di Marias right-wing cross with a fine diving header to claim his 14th goal against Arsenal.Encouraged, United finished the first half strongly, with visiting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saving from Rooney, Di Maria and Fellaini, although Santi Cazorla worked De Gea with a free-kick at the other end.United made two changes at half-time, introducing Phil Jones and Michael Carrick for Shaw and Ander Herrera, while Oxlade-Chamberlain had to hobble off five minutes in after appearing to injure his hamstring, with Aaron Ramsey coming on.There were half-chances for both teams, De Gea saving a deflected Alexis Sanchez shot and Di Maria shooting wide, before Valencias blunder allowed Welbeck to put Arsenal ahead.Uniteds supporters have bemoaned their teams predilection for back-passes in recent weeks and it was from such an action that the goal stemmed, with Welbeck seizing on Valencias under-cooked pass, touching the ball past the onrushing De Gea, and rolling home.There was no muted celebration either, with the former Stretford End favourite clenching his fists in a clear show of delight.Smalling should have equalised when he blazed Carricks flick over the bar from six yards, while Fellaini tested Szczesny with a header, but it took a stunning De Gea save to prevent Cazorla swelling Arsenals lead.Di Maria saw red with 13 minutes to play when he was booked for diving and responded by tugging Olivers shirt, completing a miserable night for United.

Football: UAE to host Asian Cup in 2019: AFC

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MANAMA (AFP) - The United Arab Emirates on Monday won a unanimous vote to host the Asian Cup in 2019, the Asian Football Confederation said. The UAE won the right unanimously, AFC chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said. The UAE and Iran had been in competition to organise the tournament. It will be the second time that the UAE has organised the continents showcase tournamnent having previously staged it in 1996, when the hosts lost a penalty shootout in the final to Saudi Arabia. The UAE bid proposed to organise the tournament in three cities: Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al-Ain, which have all have stadiums that could host the games. It also promised to build a new stadium in Dubai with a capacity for 25,000 fans.

Mexico touts 'huge' demand for first oil auction

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MEXICO CITY (AFP) - The first round of Mexicos historic opening of the oil sector has attracted huge interest from private firms jostling to enter the auction despite falling crude prices, officials said Monday.Energy Minister Pedro Joaquin Coldwell said 46 companies have declared their interest, while 23 are being vetted to see if they qualify for the July 15 auction, and more could be added to the list.We have had a huge response from companies, Coldwell said at a briefing for foreign journalists.The doubts that existed that the collapse of oil prices could affect the Mexican round in this first tender have not materialized. On the contrary, there has been great interest.Mexicos Congress approved last year a landmark energy reform that breaks up the monopoly on drilling held by state-run firm Pemex since 1938 and invites foreign investors back in the country.A government website dedicated to the first round shows that global energy giants such as US firm Chevron, Frances Total and Anglo-Dutch group Shell are among the companies in the pre-qualification phase.The first round involves 14 shallow-water blocks in the Gulf of Mexico. Coldwell said the government forecasts nearly $16.8 billion in investments over five years.Sinking oil prices have forced the government to slash its budget and mull whether to delay auctions for unconventional oil projects, which include harder-to-reach deposits.Coldwell said the government has not resolved the issue of the timing of auctions for unconventional projects and is evaluating them in light of the lower oil prices.We are also sounding out the appetite of the industry for unconventional resources in Mexico, he said.

Formula One: Ricciardo ready for home pressure

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Red Bull number one Daniel Ricciardo insisted Tuesday he can cope with the pressure at his home Grand Prix, but played down his chances of winning the opening race of the season.The Australian goes into Sundays race at Albert Park in Melbourne as the teams top driver after four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel moved to Ferrari.Ricciardo was still something of an unknown quantity at last years Australian Grand Prix but proved his mettle during a stellar 2014, finishing third in the drivers standings behind Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.He has been the focus of intense media interest since his arrival in Melbourne this year, but maintains it will make little difference when he gets behind the wheel.Once Im in the car, the helmets on... and the engine starts I could be anywhere in the world, he told reporters.Thats when Ive got a job to do and I think the pressure gets levelled out no matter where I am. I dont feel any more pressure than last year -- that was already a pretty big step for me.Ricciardo famously started the 2014 season by finishing second in Melbourne, only for officials to disqualify him over a technical infringement.He shrugged off the disappointment to win three races -- in Canada, Hungary and Belgium.Coming into a top team everyone was asking questions of me. Can I be up to Sebs pace? Can I get on the podium? I feel like I answered a lot of those questions, he said.I think Ive proved what Im capable of and its just a matter of hoping weve got the equipment.Ricciardo is pleased with how his Red Bull performed in testing, racking up a lot of miles and overcoming some reliability issues.But he admits that with Mercedes improving both their chassis and engine, Hamilton and Rosberg remain the drivers to beat.For sure, (my car) is an improvement, but the thing is everyone improves, he said.Its really a question of how much have we improved and if weve improved enough to close the gap on Mercedes.Testing has shown us that Mercedes are still really strong, I dont want to be pessimistic at all, but they seem to be the team to beat at the moment.Behind them I think its pretty close with us, Ferrari and Williams -- we all look to be next in line.I think if we put it all together we can definitely fight for at least that last spot on the podium this weekend and try to apply as much pressure to the Mercs as possible.Ricciardos new Red Bull partner this year is Russian Daniil Kvyat, who has switched from Toro Rosso.

Ireland win toss and bat against India

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NAPIER (AFP) - Ireland captain William Porterfield won the toss and opted to bat in the World Cup Pool B match against defending champions India in Napier on Tuesday.India, who have already qualified for the quarter-finals after four wins in as many matches, kept the same team which beat the West Indies in Perth last week. Ireland, who need one win from their last two matches to earn a berth in the next round, made one change from the side which defeated Zimbabwe at Hobart with seamer Stuart Thompson replacing spinner Andy McBrine.

Tokyo stocks open 0.53% higher

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TOKYO (AFP) - Tokyo stocks opened 0.53 percent higher on Tuesday after the yen fell to a three-month low on the dollar.The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 100.46 points to 18,891.01 at the start.The dollar bought 121.51 yen early Tuesday, up from 121.15 yen in New York late Monday, reaching its highest level since early December on the back of investor confidence in the US economy.A weak yen is positive for Japanese exporters as it makes them more competitive abroad and increases profits when repatriated.The euro was mixed as the European Central Bank embarked on its long-awaited quantitative easing programme.The 19-nation currency bought $1.0835 and 131.58 yen on Tuesday against $1.0854 and 131.49 yen in US trade.Wall Street stocks notched solid gains Monday following the launch of Apples smartwatch and a General Motors announcement of $5 billion in share buybacks.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.78 percent while the broad-based S&P 500 gained 0.39 percent.The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 0.31 percent, with Apple rising 0.4 percent after it unveiled the Apple Watch, a high-end smartwatch that can make and receive calls and messages and track health and fitness.

Football: Wenger thrilled as Welbeck proves point

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that Danny Welbeck had been motivated by a desire to prove Manchester United wrong after he knocked his former club out of the FA Cup.A Manchester-born United academy graduate, England striker Welbeck left for Arsenal in a GBP16 million ($24.2 million, 22.3 million euros) deal last September after falling out of favour under new manager Louis van Gaal.The Dutchman claimed Welbeck was not good enough to hold down a starting place at Old Trafford, but his words returned to haunt him as the 24-year-old earned holders Arsenal a 2-1 win on Monday that set up a semi-final meeting with either Reading or Bradford City.We want all to do well when we play against our former club to show that we are a great player, but its not easy to deal with the mental situation of it, said Wenger, whose side had not won at United since September 2006.But he focused just on his game and didnt do anything special, just played football like you want him to play. I think he has shown mental strength, because its not always easy to deal with that.Wenger added: He wants to win. He is a team player. What I like with Danny is hes intelligent, he wants to do well for the team, hes a great talent and recently has done extremely well for the national team.Welbeck was moved on at United partly to accommodate Radamel Falcao, who signed from Monaco in a reported GBP 6 million loan deal with a view to a GBP 43.5 million transfer.The Colombia star has failed to impress in Manchester, scoring only four goals in 20 appearances, and Van Gaal offered an unconvincing justification of his motives for bringing him in at Welbecks expense.When it was put to him that Falcao was struggling, he told a journalist: He has scored four goals and has three or four assists, so that is his contribution. He stimulates also the other players, so that is an aspect of the profession.But it is now easy for you to say that. You are very happy to say that. I see that in your face.Di Maria not smartTo the suggestion that four goals was a meagre return for a world-renowned striker, Van Gaal replied: I cannot change that. I cannot change facts and you know that, but you can continue (asking).Welbecks 61st-minute goal saw him seize on a back-pass from Antonio Valencia before rounding David de Gea to score, and he celebrated by clenching his fists in an apparent show of vindication.It came after Nacho Monreals 26th-minute opener had been cancelled out by a flying header from United captain Wayne Rooney.Angel di Maria provided the assist for Rooneys goal, but the Argentines night ended in disgrace as he was booked for diving and then sent off after tugging referee Michael Oliviers shirt in protest.Oliver also booked United substitute Adnan Januzaj for diving and Van Gaal admitted he could have no complaints over Di Marias dismissal.I know of course and also Angel di Maria knows that he doesnt have to touch the referee, so that is not so smart of him, he said.But to control emotion is not so easy in such a match, but I have mentioned it also before (to the players) ... because I know that in these kind of matches a red card is easily given.United now have only Champions League qualification to aim for, with Arsenal one of the teams competing with them for a top-four finish in the Premier League, and Wenger said his sides victory would give them extra belief.Every win makes you stronger, he said. We have won at Man City and that helped us to deal with another big game.And when you can win big games, its more mental. We know we have the football level, but the belief is important.

UN puts Libya request for weapons on hold

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - Libyas request for UN approval to buy fighter jets, tanks and other weaponry to fight Islamic State militants has been put on hold at the request of seven Security Council members led by Spain, diplomats said Monday.Libya had asked a Security Council committee for an exemption to an arms embargo to make the purchases from defense contractors in the Czech Republic, Serbia and Ukraine.Spain asked that the request be put on hold as UN envoy Bernardino Leon held talks on forming a unity government that could spearhead the battle against the IS jihadists, diplomats said.His request was supported by Britain, France, Chile, Lithuania, New Zealand and the United States in line with demands that reaching a power-sharing agreement be given priority.Libya had asked UN approval for deliveries of eight helicopters, six fighter jets, four fighter-bombers, 150 tanks, 150 personnel carriers mounted with machine guns, 10,000 automatic grenade launchers, 1,000 sniper rifles along with ammunition and mortar shells.Libyas Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi told the council that the weaponry would help the internationally-recognized government protect oil fields and monitor borders.The request came less than two weeks after Libya asked the council to fully lift the arms embargo imposed in 2011 when the country descended into violence after the uprising against Moamer Kadhafi.Diplomats told AFP that the request for the arms shipments was put on hold, but that no date was set for a decision at a later time.A UN panel of experts wrote to the Security Council last week to express concern that arms shipments to Libya could fall into the wrong hands.In a letter seen by AFP, they warned of transfers of materiel -- particularly tanks, small arms, light weapons and related ammunition -- to non-state actors directly by the official end-users to militias supporting them or indirectly following fighting and loss of control over stockpiles.Libya is awash in weapons and considered a major arms trafficking hub for North Africa, as powerful militias battle for control of key cities and the countrys oil riches.Members of Libyas rival parliament are due to meet in Morocco on Wednesday for a fresh round of UN-brokered talks while a dozen political leaders are to hold negotiations in Algeria on Tuesday.At a meeting of its foreign ministers, the Cairo-based Arab League urged the UN Security Council to lift the arms embargo on the Libyan government.It also called on the international community to stop the flow of weapons and armor through air and sea from reaching the terrorist groups and organizations.The League vowed to offer full political and financial support to Libyas legitimate government.The League will supply the government with the required aid to allow it to protect the countrys sovereignty, including its army... to be able to continue its mission to eradicate terrorism, a statement said.

Students march to protest black teen's killing in Wisconsin

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Hundreds of US teens walked out of school and thronged a protest at Wisconsins state Capitol after a police officer shot and killed a 19-year-old black youth who allegedly assaulted him.A banner reading Black Lives Matter was slung over a railing in the heart of the legislative building, while students marched on the streets outside chanting this is what democracy looks like according to images posted on Twitter using the hashtag Justice4Tony.Again, young people give me so much hope. Seeing such huge numbers turn out to demand Justice4Tony was incredible, said Twitter user @jagerschnitzels.A member of slain teen Tony Robinsons multiracial family said that while Americans may have equal rights in theory, practice is something else.I encourage everybody to show support regardless of race because this is truly a universal issue... We dont want to stop at just black lives matter, because all lives matter, Robinsons uncle Turin Carter told reporters.Officer Matt Kenny shot Robinson on Friday, the latest in a series of police shootings of unarmed black men that have triggered nationwide protests.Robinsons death highlights a universal problem with law enforcement and how its procedures have been carried out, specifically in regards to the systematic targeting of young black males, his uncle said.Tonys racial ambiguity reinforces the fact that Americas racial lines are completely, 100-percent blurred... My sister is a white mother of black children who had black and white relatives.Police Chief Mike Koval said that Kenny was responding to a report of a battery and had forced his way into an apartment after hearing a disturbance inside.The officer then administered CPR, and the wounded youth was taken to a hospital where he died. He said an initial search found no gun or other weapon at the scene.Koval later told CBS television the boy was shot multiple times.The shooting comes just days after the US Justice Department said it would not prosecute the white policeman who shot an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, whose death sparked riots and outrage.But the report did find that the St Louis suburbs local police force had systematically targeted African Americans.

French reality TV cast among 10 killed in Argentine crash

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BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Two helicopters collided in mid-air Monday in northern Argentina, killing 10 people including cast members filming a French reality show, officials said.There are several French nationals among the victims. So far we only know of two Argentine victims, La Rioja province government spokesman Disel Cuneo told AFP.Another provincial spokesman, Horacio Alarcon, said that the two helicopters appeared to have collided during filming.There are no survivors, he added.Alarcon said the weather conditions were good and the cause of the crash was unknown.The crash happened in a mountainous part of La Rioja, whose scenic landscapes are popular with tourists, around 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) north of the capital Buenos Aires.Argentine media showed the wreckage of the two helicopters in flames on the dry scrubland.

'Urgent need' for unified anti-extremist force: Arab League

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CAIRO (AFP) - Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi called on Monday for the creation of a unified Arab force to battle the spread of extremist groups.There is an urgent need for the creation of a multi-purpose common Arab military force... able to intervene rapidly to fight terrorism and the activities of terrorist groups, Arabi told a meeting of league foreign ministers in Cairo.He also stressed the importance of cooperation in areas related to security protection and the exchange of information between Arab countries.Arab League deputy chief Ahmed Ben Helli told reporters last week that the blocs leaders are expected to focus on the creation of such a common force when they meet for its annual summit on March 28-29 in Egypts Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.He had said such a force was important as a symbolic show of deterrence at times of conflict or disasters.Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has also called for such a force, saying it is needed to confront security threats in a region where the Islamic State group holds swathes of Syria and Iraq and has gained a foothold in Egypts neighbour Libya.He has suggested that a number of Arab League members, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, are considering supporting the idea.Several Arab nations have joined the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria.Egypt has meanwhile launched its own strikes against IS targets in Libya, where the terrorists last month murdered 21 mainly Egyptian Coptic Christians.The Cairo-based Arab League has condemned IS for the destruction of religious and cultural monuments in Iraq.In a statement issued late on Monday, the League also called on the international community to avoid dealing in stolen and smuggled artefacts from Iraq.The Islamic State is believed to have destroyed the stunning Roman period ancient fortress city of Hatra and the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in recent days.

'Urgent need' for unified anti-jihadist force: Arab League

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CAIRO (AFP) - Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi called on Monday for the creation of a unified Arab force to battle the spread of Islamic extremist groups. There is an urgent need for the creation of a multi-purpose common Arab military force... able to intervene rapidly to fight terrorism and the activities of terrorist groups, Arabi told a meeting of league foreign ministers in Cairo.He also stressed the importance of cooperation in areas related to security protection and the exchange of information between Arab countries.Arab League deputy chief Ahmed Ben Helli told reporters last week that the blocs leaders are expected to focus on the creation of such a common force when they meet for its annual summit on March 28-29 in Egypts Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.He had said such a force was important as a symbolic show of deterrence at times of conflict or disasters.Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has also called for such a force, saying it is needed to confront security threats in a region where the jihadist Islamic State group holds swathes of Syria and Iraq and has gained a foothold in Egypts neighbour Libya.He has suggested that a number of Arab League members, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, are considering supporting the idea.Several Arab nations have joined the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria. Egypt has meanwhile launched its own strikes against IS targets in Libya, where the jihadists last month murdered 21 mainly Egyptian Coptic Christians.The Cairo-based Arab League has condemned IS for the destruction of religious and cultural monuments in Iraq.In a statement issued late on Monday, the League also called on the international community to avoid dealing in stolen and smuggled artefacts from Iraq.The Islamic State is believed to have destroyed the stunning Roman period ancient fortress city of Hatra and the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in recent days.
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