SPECIAL
REPORT:
LATEST LIBYA ASSESSMENT
Kaddafi's Security, Continuity and Reform
Agenda: Why Ghanem Was Removed from Prime Ministry
(Photo:
Shoukri Ghanem) The cabinet reshuffle that "ousted"
the reformist Shoukri Ghanem from his prime minister position
created a great sense of uncertainty about the outcome of
the change and worried western governments and their oil companies.
Global oil corporations in particular have begun to increase
their investment in the country ever since Libya accepted
to pay compensation in the Lockerby case and dismantled its
weapons of mass destruction program. Aware of the consequences
the impact of the reshuffle would have on foreign investors'
confidence on Libya, the new prime minister who replaced Ghanem
reacted quickly by promising that reforms will go on. [read
here]
Italian Caricature T-shirt Incident Exposes
the Troubled Relationship Between Italy and Libya
The
image of an Italian minister, Roberto Calderoli, from the
Northern League declaring his commitment to 'free speech'
by wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with one of the infamous caricatures
of Muhammad that had fueled the anger of Muslims worldwide
sparked an unprecedented anti-Italian protest in Benghazi.
[read
here]
Tension
Between Libya and Italy, Talks on Compensation Over Italy's
Colonial Role Underway
The
Libyan town of Benghazi was the scene of riots in February
that end up with the killing of 11 demonstrators, some say
20. The riots were triggered by the television appearance
of the Italian reform minister Roberto Calderoli, a member
of the Northern League with a T-shirt showing one of the Danish
cartoons of Prophet Mohammed that have created so much tension
ever since they were published. [read
here]
Women Enter the Islamic Clergy in Morocco,
to Challenge Men's Dominance of Religious Hierarchy
An interesting experimentation will begin next
month in Morocco, which will likely create a great deal of
controversy. In April 50 women will receive a license to practice
some preaching in Morocco. Trained as Imams, the women will
not be granted the official Imam title as they will be assigned
to support duties instead. Their titles will be "Mourchidates,"
or religious advisors. [read
here]
Morocco
Prepares to Launch a New Anti-Drugs Program
Morocco
is setting up a new strategy aimed at combating drug trafficking.
The final draft of this multi-faceted strategy will be unveiled
in a few weeks and will include an overhaul of the country's
enforcement response. Enforcement will be expanded with added
control and surveillance in particular within Morocco's countryside
to reduce the supply of illegal drugs to local markets and
undermine access to foreign markets. [read
here]
Targeted by a Hostile Bid from Mittal Steel,
Arcelor Buys 50% of Morocco's Sonasid
The
Luxembourg-based steel maker Arcelor is looking for ways to
expand in the North and West African markets through acquisition.
After acquiring a 38% in the Chinese company Laiwu, Arcelor
has settled in Morocco as it seeks to compete with its rival
Mittal Steel, the world's largest steel producer, which has
important operations and assets in neighboring Algeria. Arcelor
is in an interesting position. Recently Mittal Steel launched
a takeover bid targeting the company. The Luxemburg company's
management says it is confident that it will be able to defeat
Mittal Steel efforts. [read
here]
Alcatel
of France Beats China's Huawei and ZTE for GSM/GPRS Extension
Project in Tunisia
Paris-based
telecom equipment maker Alcatel has been awarded a 50 million
euros contract to extend the GSM/EDGE mobile network of Tunisie
Télécom, the incumbent fixed and mobile operator in Tunisia.
[read
here]
First Implementation of Algerian Hydrocarbons
Law: New Regulatory Agencies Begin Work
After
its recent enactment, the Algerian hydrocarbons law saw its
first case of implementation this week. While this was a low
profile event, it marks the debut of the regulatory agencies,
which will see their respective roles increase in the future.
[read
here]
Impact
of High Petroleum Prices on Maghreb Nations: 2005 Assessment
On
March 15, Arezki Daoud, North Africa Journal analyst, presented
an assessment of the state of Maghreb countries' economies
in relations to the impact of oil and gas on the region. The
assessment was made at the Center of Strategic and International
Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC. The following are some remarks
from the presentation. [read
here]
