Saturday 17 October 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Peshawar: Police, management scuffle over ban on IDP's entry into city

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PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – Police and management of Peshawar city on Saturday scuffled over the ban on Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) entry into the city. As soon as the issue was broadcasted on Dunya News, law enforcement agencies were quick in making amendments in these posters which had initially called for restriction of IDP’s movement within a 400 meter vicinity of Imambargah areas.According to the details, in light of the security concerns during Muharram-ul-Haram, Peshawar police had pasted posters in various areas of the city highlighting the ban on entry of IDP’s of North and South Waziristan into Peshawar. However as soon as the news was broadcasted, the district administration came into action and called the ban as an unlawful move by Peshawar’s security forces. The management also issued a clarification into the matter stating that there was no prohibition on the entry of IDP’s and no such action had been authorized by the administration.The district management also took a stern stance against police officials regarding the matter after which police officers amended the message of the posters.Stringent security measures are being implemented in various cities of the country ahead of the Ashura Muharram-ul Haram period. IDP’s exodus from South and North Waziristan as Operation Zarb-e-Azb escalated have caused growing security concerns in the city especially during sensitive periods such as Muharram-ul-Haram as law enforcement agencies are weary that the displaced citizens might be harboring terrorist elements.Numerous search operations have also been launched by security forces in the province as a prophylactic measure to prevent any untoward event during this period. Several suspects have been arrested including a key militant of a banned organization.Also read: Peshawar police launches grand operationEarlier this month, the KP law enforcement agencies declared Peshawar, Hangu, Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan as sensitive areas during the Muharram-ul-Haram duration. The statement was announced during a meeting attended by Provincial police Chief Nasir Khan Durrani, regional police officers, district police officers, AIG of Special Branch, DIG of Counter-Terrorism Department and Peshawar police chief to discuss security arrangements in the province.Police stated that Peshawar contains 66 imambargahs and 121 processions are expected to be taken out in the provincial capital. Durrani stated that the processions will have live electronic monitoring and security zones will be setup in processions and Majalis along with frisking of attendants, deployment of officers on hilltops and rooftops, security checks of residential areas through which processions might pass and proper lighting in venues of Majalis.

Imran Ismail files application against Daniyal Aziz

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KARACHI: (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Ismail has on Saturday filed an application in Darakhshan Police Station to file an FIR against Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Daniyal Aziz, reported Dunya News.The application was submitted to the SHO Darakhshan Police Station. Imran Ismail told the police that Daniyal Aziz threatened on a live TV show to kill him. Accepting Ismail’s application, police said that the application will be examined legally.Talking to media after filing the application, Imran Ismail said that PML-N has an agreement with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of not filing any FIR against each other. “However, I want to tell former President Zardari that it won’t help him”, said Ismail.PTI workers raised slogans in the favor of the party and chairman Imran Khan on this occasion.

NA-122: Development works cease as soon as elections end

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Development works in NA-122 have ceased as soon as elections came to an end. On the other hand, the work has not halted in constituencies where candidates are contesting local bodies elections, reported Dunya News.Promises were made by candidates prior to elections on October 11 to make development projects in the constituency. The road from Dharampura bridge to Sadar was built overnight yet when the October 11 passed, not only was work on Sadar to Dharampura road halted but to add insult to injury, the contractor packed up shop and left with equipment.Traffic congestion is on the rise as pedestrian cannot cross the road with ease. Shopkeepers have complained that due to the dug-up road, dust keeps blowing to the nearby area which disturbs commercial activity. No attention is being paid to the matter, they added.On the other hand, candidates contesting the local bodies elections have started work on developmental works one way or the other, which is a clear violation of Election Commission’s code of conduct.Developmental work has kick started in UC-232 Council in Township. Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) workers have argued that the development work has not been initiated by the party rather it is being funded by leaders of trade union of the area.

MQM expected to withdraw resignations from Sindh Assembly in 3 days

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KARACHI: (Dunya News) – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is expected to withdraw its resignations from Sindh Assembly on Monday or Tuesday, reported Dunya News.According to MQM sources, the party will withdraw its resignations from Sindh Assembly on Monday or Tuesday after settlement on time with Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani.According to Rabita Committee Kanwar Naveed Jamil, there is no hurdle left in withdrawal of the resignations now but MQM may withdraw the resignations from Natioanl Assembly on October 26 due to engagements in the month of Muharram and. He said that the party will withdraw the resignations and attend the session as well.

Sartaj Aziz tells US not to be reason for disparity in region

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LAHORE: (Web Desk, Dunya News) – Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has on Saturday told United States (US) not to be a reason for disparity in the region. He said that national interest and security will never be compromised, reported Dunya News.In an interview to British channel, Sartaj Aziz said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is visiting the US next week and will discuss the relations with India, opportunities for investment and trade in Pakistan and peace in Afghanistan with the US officials. He said that India may have any kind of relations with the US but in a situation when the relations between India and Pakistan are quite tense, the US should abstain from fueling the strategic and traditional imbalance in the region to a point where it becomes a threat to regional security.Responding to a question over US’s role in Pak-India relations, Sartaj Aziz said that all the countries in the world, including the US, want both the countries to resolve their issues through talks but it is a basic prerequisite for the talks that the imbalance in the region doesn’t rise.After the rejection of any chances of an immediate civil-nuclear deal with Pakistan by the US officials and their renewed interest in the security of Pakistan’s nuclear assets just ahead of PM’s US visit, Sartaj Aziz said that the issue is under discussion for a long time and the international community is quite satisfied with the security of Pakistan’s nuclear assets. He said that Pakistan’s top priority is its national interest and national security. “No compromise in this regard can be expected”, said Aziz.“As far as inclusion of Pakistan in the mainstream global nuclear club is concerned, we are already working on it”, said Aziz. He expressed hope that Pakistan and India would both be made members of the nuclear suppliers’ group together.Talking about elongated stay of the US forces in Afghanistan, Aziz said that Pakistan would welcome any action aimed at bringing stability to Afghanistan. He said that the US president has hinted at his readiness to discuss peace in Afghanistan but the decision making power in this regard lies with the Afghan government. “If Afghan government would want Pakistan to be part of the peace process, Pakistan will be glad to extend cooperation”, he said.Aziz added that Pakistan has already rejected the allegation of Pakistani intelligence officials’ involvement in Kandooz attack and such allegations may affect the talks with the US officials.

PAF chief meets Ishaq Dar

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Chief of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman met with Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar. Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman informed the federal minister of professional skills and financial needs of PAF, reported Dunya News.In a meeting that took place in Finance Ministry, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman informed Federal Finance Minister of PAF’s performance in Zarb-e-Azb, manufacturing of JF-17 Thunder and financial needs regarding different projects of the armed force.Federal Finance minister said that PAF is the guarantee of defence of the country and no expense will be spared regarding the financial needs of the armed force.He paid rich tribute to the personnel of PAF for their success in operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Three Palestinians killed trying to stab Israelis

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HEBRON (AFP) - Three Palestinians were shot dead and a fourth wounded in stabbing incidents in east Jerusalem and the West Bank Saturday, as violence that has fuelled concerns of an uprising showed no let-up.The violence that has raged for more than two weeks prompted a very concerned US President Barack Obama to call for calm as the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting Friday.Including alleged assailants, 40 Palestinians have been killed since the violence erupted on October 1. Seven Israelis have lost their lives.The mounting death toll has prompted fears of a new Palestinian intifada, or uprising, like those of 1987-1993 and 2000-2005, when thousands were killed in near-daily violence.Three of Saturdays attacks took place in the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron, where some 500 Jewish settlers live in a heavily guarded enclave in the city centre surrounded by nearly 200,000 Palestinians.The fourth was at a checkpoint in a Jewish settlement neighbourhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.In the first Hebron incident, a Palestinian tried to stab a settler before his intended victim, who was unharmed, shot him dead, the army said.Palestinian security sources identified the assailant as 18-year-old Fadel al-Kawatsmi.Video circulated by Palestinian activists showed a young man wearing a kippa brandishing a pistol as shots rang out before Israeli soldiers moved in to pull him away from a body lying on the ground.In the second attack, a Palestinian girl attempted to stab a female Israeli soldier outside a border guard base before being shot dead by her would-be victim, Israeli police said.The soldier suffered minor injuries to her hand, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said.Palestinian media said her assailant was aged 16.And a Palestinian was shot after stabbing and moderately wounding a soldier, the army reported, without saying whether the attacker was killed.Troops also opened fire at stone-throwing Palestinian youths in several sectors of Hebron, wounding 11 with rubber bullets and one with a live round, Palestinian medics said.In east Jerusalem, a Palestinian tried to stab a soldier at a checkpoint in East Talpiot but was shot dead by other soldiers.Police said the assailant was a 16-year-old from nearby Jabel Mukaber, the same neighbourhood that was home to three Palestinians who carried out attacks earlier this week.Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, where there have been deadly clashes with Israeli troops in recent days, army gunfire wounded at least four civilians, according to the enclaves health minister Ashraf al-Qudra.Israeli security forces have deployed massively in Jerusalem to try to halt the attacks and, on Wednesday, began setting up checkpoints in parts of east Jerusalem, including Jabel Mukaber.But that has failed to stop the violence.- Inflammatory rhetoric -The United States, which tried but failed last year to broker peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, urged leaders on both sides to help rein in the unrest.We are very concerned about the outbreak of violence, Obama said in Washington Friday.Its important for both (Israeli) Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu... and (Palestinian) president (Mahmud) Abbas and other people in positions of power, to try to tamp down rhetoric that may feed violence or anger or misunderstanding, he said.US Secretary of State John Kerry, who could travel to the region soon, has spoken separately to Abbas and Netanyahu to ask them to restore calm.Abbas has been under pressure over recent comments that some have labelled incitement and has called for peaceful protests without explicitly condemning the violence.But on Friday he condemned an arson attack the previous night on Josephs Tomb, a West Bank site which is holy to Jews.The same day, four Palestinians were killed, one after posing as a news photographer to stab and wound a soldier outside a Jewish settlement.As hundreds of Palestinians joined the funeral of Ayad Awawdeh in the West Bank village of Dura on Saturday, his mother told AFP her son had watched the news on television the whole time and exploded with anger at seeing so many horrors.Such funerals may soon be a thing of the past -- Israel has warned that it may not hand over the bodies of those responsible for attacks to their families for burial.The violence began on October 1, when a suspected cell of the Islamist movement Hamas murdered a Jewish settler couple in the West Bank in front of their children.But subsequent attacks are believed to have been lone wolf operations.The violence came after repeated clashes in September between Israeli forces and Palestinian youths at east Jerusalems flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

RugbyU: Du Preez called for one last fight to beat Wales

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TWICKENHAM (AFP) - South Africas try scoring captain Fourie du Preez said he had to call for a last stand from his Springboks to see them past Wales in the World Cup quarter final on Saturday.Wales were leading 19-18 when the 33-year-old veteran Du Preez darted down the blindside and over the line for the match-winning points five minutes from the end.South Africa then held off a late Welsh onslaught to reach the semi-finals.It was a tough game, they came hard at us, Du Preez said.We just said to ourselves keep pushing, keep pushing.At one stage I saw some of the guys lying down and I told the guys look we have to go and fight now and the guys produced.It was a remarkable result for the two-time world champions who have vowed to win the trophy despite no side ever winning the title having lost a pool game -- they were on the receiving end of the greatest upset in World Cup history in the opening game, a 34-32 defeat to Japan.We have learned from the Japan game, it is part of who we are now, said the captain.Du Preez said the teams character and maybe a real blessing from above had helped.Wales coach Warren Gatland was downcast.At the start the boys gave everything. They just werent good enough to hang on in the last few minutes, the New Zealander said.Gatland would not use the teams heavy injury toll as a cause for the defeat.I dont want to make any excuses. At the end of the day South Africa won the game. We werent good enough to winSouth Africa did what South Africa do. They hung in there right until the 80 minutes. They got one chance and they took it and that was the result.He said a lot of the players would come back stronger when Wales tackle the Six Nations in early 2016 and they go on a tour of New Zealand.

Football: Relentless Bayern make it record nine in a row

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BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich became the first team to win their opening nine games of a Bundesliga season on Saturday as a first-half Thomas Mueller strike proved enough for Pep Guardiolas side to beat Werder Bremen 1-0.Mueller stole in front of Alejandro Galvez to control a Thiago Alcantara cross at the near post and stab past Felix Wiedwald for the only goal of the game, his ninth of the season, at the Weserstadion as Bayern made more Bundesliga history.That was despite in-form Robert Lewandowski, having netted 15 times in his previous six games for club and country, for once failing to score.However, the Pole felt he should have had a penalty in the second half after being taken out by Wiedwald when through on goal, and Muellers solitary strike sufficed to condemn Bremen to a club record-equalling fifth consecutive league defeat.The win, their 999th in the Bundesliga, set Bayern up nicely for their trip to face Arsenal in the Champions League in midweek and saw them once again move seven points clear at the top of the table from nearest challengers Borussia Dortmund, who won 2-0 at Mainz on Friday.But despite the win Guardiola indicated that he was not happy with the display by the reigning champions.It wasnt easy to find the necessary spaces. Lets say we won a difficult match, said Guardiola, who left Brazil winger Douglas Costa on the bench with one eye on Arsenal.This time the performance was enough but we will need to do more in the coming weeks.Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel returned to face his former club in Mainz and saw Marco Reus put the visitors in front in the first half.The Germany star then had a second-half penalty saved but Henrikh Mkhitaryan made sure of the three points late on as Borussia bounced back from their 5-1 hiding at the hands of Bayern in their last outing to register a first win in five.- Kruse hat-trick -Germany striker Max Kruse scored his first career hat-trick as Wolfsburg climbed up to fourth with a dramatic 4-2 win at home to Hoffenheim at the Volkswagen Arena.Dieter Hecking was taking charge of a Bundesliga game for the 300th time and saw his side open the scoring with just 41 seconds played when Julian Draxler squared for Kruse to score his first goal since signing from Borussia Moenchengladbach in the summer.Draxler then crossed for Bas Dost to head in the second goal inside seven minutes but Hoffenheim fought back, Jeremy Toljan reducing the deficit before Jonathan Schmid converted at the second attempt to level matters on 54 minutes.But Kruse, who came off the bench to score the winner for Germany against Georgia in Euro 2016 qualifying last weekend, put the Wolves back in front from a Luiz Gustavo assist just after the hour mark and then completed his hat-trick late on.Schalke 04 are third, just a point behind their Ruhr rivals Dortmund, after Max Meyer struck a stoppage-time winner to see off Hertha Berlin 2-1.Benedikt Hoewedes had earlier headed the Royal Blues in front but Salomon Kalous 73rd-minute header looked set to earn Hertha a share of the spoils.Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen were held to a 0-0 draw at Hamburg and promoted Darmstadts good start to life in the top half continued with a 2-0 victory at Augsburg.Sandro Wagner and Peter Niemeyer both netted in the first half as Darmstadt climbed into the top half of the table and left Augsburg, who are in this seasons Europa League, third from bottom.Eintracht Frankfurt host Gladbach in Saturdays late game before Cologne entertain Hanover 96 and Ingolstadt go to bottom club VfB Stuttgart on Sunday.

12 killed in Ukraine boat capsize near Odessa: official

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KIEV (AFP) - At least 12 people drowned Saturday when a boat capsized in the Black Sea near Odessa in southern Ukraine, regional authorities said.The reason for this tragedy were storms and an absence of life jackets. Twelve people drowned and one is missing, said Volodymyr Jmak, a deputy of the governor of Odessa region, adding that the vessel had been transporting 36 people.

Imran finally gives up, says 2018 to be election year

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RAWALPINDI: (Dunya News) – Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has finally given up on mid-term election campaign as he admitted today that 2018 will be the year of election. Despite his tall claims, Imran Khan couldn’t topple the government and finally agreed today that 2018 will be the election year, reported Dunya News.Answering a question put forward by Dr. Moeed Pirzada in ‘Tonight with Moeed Pirzada’, Imran Khan said that 2018 will be the election year but also said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif can always play the suicide bomber for his own government.Although 2018 is the election year yet we can expect a suicide attack from Nawaz Sharif anytime, says IKonDunya— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) October 17, 2015 It is pertinent to mention here that he repeatedly warned his workers that 2015, not 2018, will be the year of election but today he admitted that there is no chance of a mid-term election in 2015. From his claims of an umpire raising his finger to his claim that PTI will topple the government by proving the rigging allegations before the judicial council, Imran Khan has repeatedly warned that 2015 will be the election year. However, it is time now that the people of Pakistan realize that Imran Khan’s statements are generally ‘political statements’.When asked by Moeed Pirzada about the failure of PTI in checking the electoral lists and their incompetence, Imran Khan said that his party did much better during the recent by-election in NA-122 and the performance of the party was much improved this time.We have done much better in NA-122 this time. We have certainly learned from our mistakes, says IKonDunya— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) October 17, 2015 Defending PTI candidate in NA-122 Aleem Khan, Chairman PTI said that Aleem Khan is a self-made man and had he been corrupt, he would have been in PML-N today. When Moeed asked him about the massive amount spent by Aleem Khan in NA-122 election campaign, Imran said that Aleem Khan spent his own hard-earned money unlike the government candidate who spent tax-payers money.Aleem Khan spent his own hard-earned money, PML-N spent govt money on NA-122, says IKonDunya— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) October 17, 2015 Responding to a question about mega projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP), Imran Khan said that Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) invests in mega projects because Sharif brothers get the chance to get their photos put on flexes but KP government is working on the devolution of power instead. Imran said that 30% of local funds will go to the local bodies on KP government but the local body bills of Punjab and Sindh ensure that all the powers remain with chief ministers of both these provinces. “I don’t care how PML-N portrays me. What I care about is human development in KP”, said Imran.I dont care how PMLN portrays me. What I care about is human development in KP, says IKonDunya— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) October 17, 2015 Moeed Pirzada asked Imran why KP police hadnt shared any statistics on its website the way Punjab police has put its record on its website. Moeed also told Imran that Punjab polices statistics show that at least 10% decline in crimes against person and crimes against property has been observed in the province. Imran said that he hasnt checked the website but according to the presentation given to him by KP police, there is 70% decline in crime in KP.I havent checked the website but I have been presented with the statistics and theres 70% decline in crime in KP, tells IKonDunya— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) October 17, 2015

30 Yemen loyalists 'mistakenly killed' in coalition air raid

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SANAA(AFP) - At least 30 Yemeni pro-government fighters were killed in a Saudi-led coalition air strike that mistakenly hit one of their positions in southern Yemen on Saturday, medics and witnesses said.Another 40 people were wounded in the strike on Waziya, an area between Taez and Lahj provinces where rival forces have been fighting since late September, the sources said.The Arab coalition is backing loyalist troops against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen with air strikes, weapons and ground forces.Pro-government forces retook Lahj as part of a southern offensive in mid-July that recaptured four other provinces.But fighting has raged for months in the southwestern province of Taez, seen as a gateway to the capital, held by the rebels since last year.Local residents told AFP that the rebels have sent reinforcements to Waziya in a bid to re-enter Lahj and once more control the strategic Al-Anad airbase.Around 4,500 civilians have been killed in the conflict since March.

Scotland's SNP vows to fight to keep Britain in EU

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ABERDEEN (AFP) - The leader of the Scottish National Party pledged Saturday to fight to keep Britain in the European Union, as pressure mounts on the government to clarify its stance on the issue.Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to hold a referendum on EU membership by the end of 2017, but both his pro-EU allies and eurosceptics within his ruling Conservative Party are growing impatient.David Cameron might play fast and loose with our place in Europe. Be in no doubt - the SNP will campaign positively for Scotland, and the UK, to stay in the European Union, Nicola Sturgeon told SNP party members on the last day of her partys conference.We despair at the failure of leadership of a prime minister pandering to eurosceptics in his party, but unable to articulate clearly and precisely what it is he is seeking to renegotiate, she added, speaking in Aberdeen, northeast Scotland.Cameron plans to renegotiate the terms of Britains membership of the 28-member-bloc, but says he cannot guarantee he will get what he wants and has not ruled out campaigning for a British exit.Critics say he has not been clear about his demands, which he says include more powers for London, limiting access to benefits for migrants and the ability to opt out of closer EU political integration.Should a British exit from the EU appear likely, the SNPs opposition to the move could precipitate renewed calls for another vote on Scottish secession, following a referendum in September last year that saw 55 percent of Scots vote to stay within the United Kingdom.The SNP, the British parliaments third-largest bloc and an advocate of Scottish independence, sees the EU as an important trading partner and wants Scotland to have a louder voice in Europe.- Another referendum -The time to propose another referendum will be when there is clear evidence that opinion has changed and independence has become the choice of a majority of people in our country, said Sturgeon, who is also Scotlands First Minister.SNP lawmaker Callum McCaig told AFP he did not think his party would push for another vote soon.My gut feeling is it will be a bit later than the next parliament, he said, referring to the Scottish parliament.Speaking to some 3,500 conference delegates amid regular bouts of huge applause, she also pledged to oppose government plans for British air strikes in Syria.What is needed is not more bombing but a renewed and intensive diplomatic initiative, led by the UN, to seek a lasting resolution of the conflict, she said.Cameron is seeking cross-party support for British air strikes in Syria to fight the Islamic State group.Cutting a slim figure in a red dress and matching shoes, Sturgeon, 45, returned to the stage for an ovation after ending her speech, and also wished Scotlands rugby team good luck in its clash against Australia in the World Cup quarterfinals Sunday.Her speech concluded the three-day SNP party conference, where members planned ahead for Scottish Parliament elections expected in May next year.An SNP win would be give the party a third consecutive term in power in Scotland, and would boost its aspirations for eventual Scottish independence.The party triumphed in Mays national election, boosting its lawmakers in the Westminster parliament to 56 from 6, and party membership has more than quadrupled to 114,121 from 25,000 before last years independence referendum.

Guinea opposition leader vows protests against Conde re-election

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CONAKRY (AFP) - Guineas opposition leader Saturday called for demonstrations against the serious denial of democracy in the first round of presidential elections won by incumbent Alpha Conde.Condes main rival, Cellou Dalein Diallo, said he would not resort to the west African countrys constitutional court to protest what he labelled an illegal election, allegedly tainted by widespread fraud and mismanagement. Instead, he would ask supporters to take to the streets.I will invite, at the appropriate time, other candidates and all citizens who are the true victims of this electoral hold-up to organise, conforming to the law, peaceful demonstrations to express our indignation and protest against this serious denial of democracy, said Diallo in a statement read to the media.Reading a list of alleged irregularities, he said the six other candidates for president have all decided not to recognise the results of the first round on October 11.I confirm my total agreement with this decision. Furthermore, I will not take recourse at the constitutional court, he said.The oppositions response has raised the spectre of unrest in the coming days. Guinea has a history of post-election violence, prompting the international community to call on all parties to pursue their grievances through the courts rather than protests.Results published by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday showed Conde winning an outright majority with nearly 2.3 million votes, or 57.8 percent. He is expected to be officially declared the winner later on Saturday.Diallo had garnered around 1.24 million ballots or 31.5 percent. Turnout was put at around 68 percent of the six million eligible voters, well below an initial estimate of 75 percent.The election was only the second democratic presidential poll since Guinea gained independence from France in 1958.Conde, 77, had gone into the campaign promising to deliver a KO blow to his opponents by winning in the first round and avoiding a run-off against his closest rival.- Appeal for calm -Condes spokesman Albert Damantang Camara condemned Diallos call for protests, saying there has never been a peaceful demonstration in Guinea.Asking people to come out into the streets risks dragging the country into instability, chaos and violence, Camara told AFP.We continue to ask our supporters to stay calm, avoid gloating and get ready to face the numerous challenges that await us.Guineas first ever democratic election in 2010 went to a second round between Conde and former prime minister Diallo, which Conde narrowly won.Unlike after that vote, Diallo shows no sign of grudgingly conceding defeat in this years election.When the president (of the electoral commission) decides that anyone holding an electoral card can vote, even without an envelope in violation of the electoral code, it shows the illegal way in which the election has taken place, Diallo said.The 63-year-old and the six other opposition candidates have all demanded a re-run and warned a proclamation of victory by Conde at the first round would vindicate their suspicions of vote-rigging.The election has increased tensions in the country, with around a dozen people killed in clashes between Conde and Diallo supporters ahead of polling day.An EU election observer team criticised the electoral commission for poor organisation and a lack of preparation.Conde, who spent nearly three decades in exile in France, led the opposition to Guineas dictatorial first president after independence from France, Ahmed Sekou Toure.He says the achievements of his presidency include an overhaul of the army and judiciary, the completion of a hydroelectric dam and reforms to make mining contracts more transparent.Despite being rich in bauxite, the ore used to produce aluminium, Guinea is one of the worlds poorest nations and was blindsided by a severe outbreak of Ebola, which began in the countrys southern forests in December 2013 and then spread to neighbouring countries.Half the population lives below the UN poverty line, and according to the World Bank, per capita income in 2014 was just $470 with many lacking access to electricity or running water.

Yemen govt invited to UN-brokered peace talks: spokesman

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RIYADH (AFP) - The Yemeni government has been invited to take part in a new round of UN-brokered talks with rebels to end the countrys seven-month-old conflict, spokesman Rajih Badi said Saturday.We have received an invitation from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, via his envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, to hold a new round of consultations with the Huthis and (rebel-allied former strongman) Ali Abdullah Saleh to implement UN Resolution 2216, Badi told AFP.The announcement comes two days after UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson said he hoped new talks between the Yemeni government and Iran-backed Huthi rebels could start this month despite deep distrust between the warring parties.Badi said that until now, there has been no agreement on the venue or a specific date for the consultations.But he told the pro-government news agency sabanew.net that the government will officially respond to the UN invitation within the next 48 hours.Resolution 2216 calls for the withdrawal of rebel forces from territories they have captured and for them to lay down their arms.President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has held talks with Ban in past days to discuss preparation for consultations to end the bloodshed, sabanew.net reported.Around 4,500 civilians have been killed in the conflict since March.A first attempt to hold peace talks in Geneva in June between the pro-government forces and Huthi rebels collapsed without the warring parties even sitting down in the same room.Last month, Hadis government backed away from UN-sponsored talks that were to be held in Oman, insisting the rebels first withdraw from territory they have seized.The Huthis overran the capital Sanaa unopposed in September 2014 and went on to battle for control of several regions, aided by renegade troops loyal to Saleh.In July, loyalist forces backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition evicted the rebels from five southern provinces, and they have since set their sights on Sanaa.Hundreds of Sudanese troops arrived Saturday in the southern port city of Aden to take part in the coalitions operations and secure the city, Yemeni security officials told AFP.Sudan is part of the coalition backing the internationally-recognised Hadi, but so far Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have contributed the bulk of forces.The official WAM news agency published a UAE armed forces statement saying that an Emirati soldier, Hadef Hameed al-Shamsi, taking part in the coalition operations in Yemen has been killed.Gunmen shot dead an Emirati who came out of an armoured vehicle to buy a sandwich from a shop in Aden, a security official in Aden told AFP.The UAE has lost 68 soldiers fighting as part of the coalition.
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