AL-MUKALLA: Yemen’s government has denied Houthi allegations about a new restriction on fuel ships passing through the Red Sea Port of Hodeidah, following a fuel shortage in Houthi-controlled areas.

It said it had not imposed restrictions on the movement of such vessels entering the port, now or in the past, accusing the Houthis of inventing the problem to force people to buy fuel from the black market under their control to generate revenue.

BEIRUT: Lebanese activists stepped up their campaign to protect the country’s oil wealth amid efforts to resolve a maritime border dispute with Israel.

Dozens of boats set out on Sunday from the port of Tripoli and ports along the coast escorted by the army toward Ras Al-Naqoura, the southern border point, under the slogan “Lebanon’s Oil Belongs to Lebanon.”

A civil campaign organized the demonstration, with 40 boats taking part.

CAIRO: The Egyptian and American navies have carried out a joint exercise.

“The training comes within the framework of the plan of the General Command of the Armed Forces to raise the level of training and exchange experiences with the armed forces of brotherly and friendly countries,” said Egyptian military spokesman Gharib Abdel Hafez.

Last month, the Egyptian Navy carried out a joint training exercise with US and Spanish naval vessels.

CAIRO: Egypt has condemned Friday’s explosion at a mosque in the western Afghan city of Herat that killed 18 people and injured 23.

Cairo offered its condolences to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“Egypt reiterates its condemnation and rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism,” the Foreign Ministry said.

BAGHDAD: When a pronouncement by a religious scholar in Iran drove Iraq to the brink of civil war last week, there was only one man who could stop it: A 92-year-old Iraqi Shiite cleric who proved once again he is the most powerful man in his country.
Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani said nothing in public about the unrest that erupted on Iraq’s streets. But government officials and Shiite insiders say it was only Al-Sistani’s stance behind the scenes that halted a meltdown.