news in brief

KSA rejects Russian calls to work with Assad govt
AFP, MOSCOW: Saudi Arabia's foreign minister on Tuesday poured cold water on Russian calls to join forces with the Syrian authorities against Islamic State jihadists, insisting it was impossible to work with President Bashar al-Assad.
Moscow -- one of Assad's few remaining allies -- has called for coordination between the Syrian government and members of an international coalition fighting the extremist group, which controls swathes of territory in Syria
and Iraq.
But Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir insisted there would be no cooperation with the Syrian regime after meeting Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.
"As for a coalition in which Saudi Arabia would participate with the government of Syria, then we need to exclude that. It is not part of our plans," Jubeir said in comments translated into Russian.
"Our position has not changed... there is no place for Assad in the future of Syria," Jubeir said.
"We think that Bashar al-Assad is part of the problem, not part of the solution."
Saudi Arabia is already part of a US-led coalition that began an air campaign against IS in Syria last September.

Iraq parliament approves PM's anti-corruption plan

AFP, BAGHDAD: Iraq's parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's reform programme aimed at curbing corruption and reducing government waste that has sparked widespread anger and weeks of protests.
Abadi on Sunday proposed a series of measures to combat corruption, streamline the government and improve services after weeks of protests and a call from Iraq's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for drastic change.
"It was unanimously approved," parliament speaker Salim al-Juburi announced to applause after the vote, which was held without a debate as soon as the plan was read.

US F-16 jet crashes in Germany, plot svives
AFP, BERLIN: A US F-16 fighter jet crashed Tuesday in southern Germany but the pilot parachuted to safety with only minor injuries, police said.
The jet came down around 0730 GMT in a wooded area near the city of Bayreuth in Bavaria state, sparking a forest fire. The reason was not immediately clear.
"The pilot managed to eject with his parachute," a local police spokesman told AFP. "He suffered minor injuries and required medical attention."
"The crash site is in an area that is difficult to reach. Emergency services and the fire brigade are trying to get to it to put out the fire."
The police spokesman said the crash site had been cordoned off as a secure military area.
The jet had taken off from the Spangdahlem Air Base near the western city of Trier, one of about 20 US military bases in Germany.

 

news in brief

KSA rejects Russian calls to work with Assad govt AFP, MOSCOW: Saudi Arabias foreign minister on Tuesday poured cold water on Russian calls to join forces with the Syrian authorities against Islamic State jihadists, insisting it was impossible to work with President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow -- one of Assads few remaining allies -- has called for coordination between the Syrian government and members of an international coalition fighting the extremist group, which controls swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq. But Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir insisted there would be no cooperation with the Syrian regime after meeting Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. As for a coalition in which Saudi Arabia would participate with the government of Syria, then we need to exclude that. It is not part of our plans, Jubeir said in comments translated into Russian. Our position has not changed... there is no place for Assad in the future of Syria, Jubeir said. We think that Bashar al-Assad is part of the problem, not part of the solution. Saudi Arabia is already part of a US-led coalition that began an air campaign against IS in Syria last September. Iraq parliament approves PMs anti-corruption plan AFP, BAGHDAD: Iraqs parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved Prime Minister Haider al-Abadis reform programme aimed at curbing corruption and reducing government waste that has sparked widespread anger and weeks of protests. Abadi on Sunday proposed a series of measures to combat corruption, streamline the government and improve services after weeks of protests and a call from Iraqs top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for drastic change. It was unanimously approved, parliament speaker Salim al-Juburi announced to applause after the vote, which was held without a debate as soon as the plan was read. US F-16 jet crashes in Germany, plot svives AFP, BERLIN: A US F-16 fighter jet crashed Tuesday in southern Germany but the pilot parachuted to safety with only minor injuries, police said. The jet came down around 0730 GMT in a wooded area near the city of Bayreuth in Bavaria state, sparking a forest fire. The reason was not immediately clear. The pilot managed to eject with his parachute, a local police spokesman told AFP. He suffered minor injuries and required medical attention. The crash site is in an area that is difficult to reach. Emergency services and the fire brigade are trying to get to it to put out the fire. The police spokesman said the crash site had been cordoned off as a secure military area. The jet had taken off from the Spangdahlem Air Base near the western city of Trier, one of about 20 US military bases in Germany.