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Middle East Digest
The "Middle East Digest" is a collection of excerpts from the U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefings that are related to U.S. foreign policy interests in the Middle East.
Secretary Clinton's Call to Egyptian Vice President Omar Soliman (Feb. 2)
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Egyptian Vice President Omar Soliman today to convey that today's violence was a shocking development after many days of consistently peaceful demonstrations. More»
Update on Status of U.S. Citizen Evacuations from Egypt (Feb. 2)
More than 1,900 U.S. citizens and their family members have been evacuated from Egypt in an operation that began on Monday, January 31. We plan to continue evacuation efforts on Thursday, February 3, and are assessing the need to continue flights after that. More»
Attacks on Demonstrators and Journalists
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Feb. 2): "The United States denounces these attacks and calls on all engaged in demonstrations currently taking place in Egypt to do so peacefully." Full Text»
Ordered Departure Declared for Egypt
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Feb. 1): "On February 1, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. Government personnel and their families from Egypt in light of recent events. The Department of State will continue to facilitate the evacuation of U.S. citizens who require assistance." Full Text»
Concern for the Denial of Human Rights in Iran
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Jan. 31): "The United States is deeply concerned that Iran continues to deny its citizens their human rights. Judicial cases, trials, and sentences continue to proceed without transparency and the due process rights enshrined in Iran’s own constitution." Full Text»
Egypt: Public Service Announcement for American Citizens
Janice Jacobs, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs (Jan. 30): "State Department personnel at our Embassy in Cairo and here in the United States are working round-the-clock to ensure the safety our Americans. We’re monitoring the situation on the ground in Egypt, communicating information and implementing crisis response plans." Full Text» View Video»
Egypt: Information for American Citizens
Get up to date information, including recent Embassy notices for American citizens traveling or residing in Egypt. More»
Situation in Egypt
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 28): "We strongly believe that the Egyptian Government needs to engage immediately with the Egyptian people in implementing needed economic, political, and social reforms." Full Text»
U.S. Support for the Tunisian People
Assistant Secretary Feltman (Jan. 26): "Tunisia needs free, fair and inclusive elections that usher in a new government and a new system." Full Text»
Situation in Lebanon
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Jan. 25): "The United States continues to follow closely the situation in Lebanon. It is essential that any Lebanese government abide by the Lebanese constitution, prevent any use of violence -- including efforts to exact retribution against former government officials – and lives up to all of its international obligations, including U.N. Security Council Resolutions and its commitment to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon." Full Text»
Assistant Secretary Feltman’s Visit to Tunisia (Jan. 24)
Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman is on official travel to Tunisia from January 24-26, 2011. While there, he will meet with government officials, political party leaders, and civil society advocates in order to convey U.S. support for the Tunisian people. More»
Seeking a More Democratic Tunisia (Jan. 23)
Secretary Clinton called Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi yesterday to express continued support for the people of Tunisia in their path to a more democratic society. Full Text»
Recent Attacks in Iraq
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Jan. 21): "The United States strongly condemns the recent attacks in Anbar and Diyala, and Karbala which targeted police recruits, pilgrims and innocent civilians, and offers condolences to the families of the victims of these terrorist attacks." Full Text»
Participation in P5+1 Negotiations With Iran
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Jan. 20): "Under Secretary for Political Affairs William J. Burns is leading the U.S. delegation as it joins our P5+1 partners as well as Iranian representatives in talks beginning today in Istanbul, Turkey. We seek to launch a meaningful and practical process that addresses the core issues with Iran's nuclear program." Full Text»
Prosecutor for Special Tribunal for Lebanon Files Indictment for Confirmation by Pre-Trial Judge
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 17): "Today’s action by the Prosecutor for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is an important step toward justice and ending impunity for murder. Those who oppose the Tribunal seek to create a false choice between justice and stability in Lebanon; we reject this." Full Text»
Events in Tunisia
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 14): "The United States continues to closely monitor the rapidly evolving events in Tunisia, where earlier today President Ben Ali left his country following several weeks of demonstrations and popular unrest. We condemn the violence and urge restraint on all sides." Full Text»
Secretary Clinton's Travel to the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, and Qatar
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Jan. 6): "Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Qatar from January 8-13. At each stop, Secretary Clinton will consult with government officials on a full range of regional and bilateral issues, and emphasize the importance of government-civil society engagement." Full Text» More on Travel»
Conviction of Human Rights Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Jan. 10): "The United States strongly condemns the unjust and harsh verdict against human rights activist and respected lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh in Iran, and calls for her immediate release." Full Text»
Demolition of the Shepherd's Hotel
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 9): "We are very concerned about the initiation of demolition of the Shepherd's Hotel in East Jerusalem. This disturbing development undermines peace efforts to achieve the two state-solution." Full Text»
Ambassador to Syria
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Jan. 7): "Putting an ambassador in Damascus should not be viewed as a reward to the Syrian Government. It improves our ability to deliver firm messages to the Syrian Government and to articulate clearly our concerns and priorities to Syria." Full Text»
Church Bombing in Egypt
Acting Spokesman Toner (Jan. 1): "The United States strongly condemns the bombing attack that occurred at a church in Alexandria, Egypt last night. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and loved ones of those injured and killed...." Full Text»
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The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), headed by Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Feltman, deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. diplomatic relations with Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Regional policy issues that NEA handles include Iraq, Middle East peace, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, and political and economic reform. -Clickable Map
Statement by Secretary Clinton (Feb. 3):
"We condemn in the strongest terms attacks on reporters covering the ongoing situation in Egypt. This is a violation of international norms that guarantee freedom of the press." Full Text» DipNote Blog»
Department of State Recruits U.S. Officers for Iraq Police Development Program
(Feb. 3)
The INL bureau is seeking to recruit both active and retired U.S. law enforcement officers as the U.S. Department of State builds a team of senior level and expert advisors to serve one-year missions in Iraq. More»
Remarks by President Obama on the Situation in Egypt (Feb. 1)
"Throughout this process, the United States will continue to extend the hand of partnership and friendship to Egypt. And we stand ready to provide any assistance that is necessary to help the Egyptian people as they manage the aftermath of these protests." Full Text»
Commitment To Assist U.S. Citizens in Egypt
Janice Jacobs, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs (Feb. 1): "We have evacuated hundreds of U.S. citizens. We expect more to fly out tomorrow and in the coming days. We are monitoring the situation in Egypt closely and will adapt our evacuation operations in accordance with the situation on the ground." Full Text» View Video»
Iraq: The Challenging Transition to a Civilian Mission
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James F. Jeffrey (Feb. 1): "We now face an historic opportunity – and a critical window – to help Iraq emerge as a strategic partner and a force for stability and moderation in a troubled region." Full Text»
Secretary Clinton Meets With Jordanian Foreign Minister Judeh
Secretary Clinon (Jan. 26): "The United States has had a long, close relationship with Jordan for many decades. We value Jordan’s guidance in the region, and today we spoke at length about many of the issues." Full Text»
The Iran Hostages – 30 Years Later
On Friday, January 28, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) will honor and pay tribute to the fifty-two U.S. diplomats and public servants who were released on January 20, 1981, after spending 444 days as hostages in Iran. More»
Situation in Egypt
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Jan. 25): "We are monitoring the situation in Egypt closely. The United States supports the fundamental right of expression and assembly for all people. All parties should exercise restraint, and we call on the Egyptian authorities to handle these protests peacefully." Full Text»
Partnership With Qatar
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 12): "The United States is proud of the partnership between our two nations. It has yielded positive results for the people of both of our countries, and we look forward to continuing to work together..." Full Text» More on Travel»
Secretary Clinton's Town Hall With Omani Civil Society
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 12): "According to the United Nations statistics, I am now in the country that has shown greater progress. And in addition to the improvements in the lives of the Omani people, Oman stands out as a nation that has achieved not only stability at home, but peace with your neighbors and the kind of human progress that is especially important. America values your country and the people of Oman as a friend and partner." Full Text»
U.S. Yemen-Relations
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 11): "We are committed to a broad relationship between our two countries. We face a common threat posed by the terrorists and al-Qaida, but our partnership goes beyond counterterrorism." Full Text» Remarks at Embassy» More on Travel»
Travel to the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, and Qatar
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 9): "The countries I am visiting are all very strong partners in our security efforts, on counterterrorism, on the ongoing challenges posed by Iran..." Full Text» More on Travel»
Recent Protests and Website Hackings in Tunisia
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Jan. 7): "We are concerned about demonstrations that have occurred over the past few weeks in Tunisia, which we understand to be the result of social and economic unrest. We encourage all parties to show restraint as citizens exercise their right of public assembly. We have also conveyed our views directly to the Tunisian government." Full Text»
