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Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

Date: 01/20/2009 Description: Blue envelope icon, used for email subscriptions. State Dept Photo Sign up for Near Eastern Affairs email updates.

Date: 2009-03-17 00:00:00.0 Location: Washington, DC Description: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs State Dept Photo

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 


UN Calls on Iran to Address Serious Human Rights Violations
Deputy Spokesman Wood (Nov. 20):
"The United States welcomes the resolution passed today by the United Nations calling upon the Government of Iran to respect its human rights obligations fully.  In addition to longstanding concerns about the human rights situation in Iran, the resolution expresses deep concern about the brutal response of Iranian authorities to peaceful demonstrations in the wake of the June 12 election.  It calls on the Government of Iran to abolish torture and arbitrary imprisonment, as well as any executions, including stoning, carried out without due process of law." -Full Text


Secretary Clinton Meets With Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ali Aboul Gheit
Date: 11/04/2009 Location: Cairo, Egypt Description: Secretary of State Clinton smiles at Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, right, during a presser following her meeting with President Hosni Mubarak at the Presidential palace.  © AP Photo/Amr NabilSecretary Clinton (Nov. 4):
"The United States sees Egypt as an essential partner, not only in the Middle East, but on global and regional issues, as well. And we are committed to working with Egypt to strengthen and deepen our cooperation and our partnership on these vital matters." -Full Text


Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the Forum for the Future
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 3):
"Five months ago in Cairo, President Obama called for a new beginning between the United States and Muslim communities around the world – a relationship that is comprehensive rather than focused on a few political and security issues, a relationship based on partnership between people as well as government, and a relationship that lasts for the long term." -Full Text


Secretary Clinton Meets With Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
Date: 10/31/2009 Description: Secretary Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference in Jerusalem. © Photo Credit:  Matty Stern U.S. Embassy Tel AvivSecretary Clinton (Oct. 31): "I want to see both sides begin as soon as possible in negotiations. We have worked – and of course, Senator Mitchell has worked tirelessly – in setting forth what are the approaches that each side wishes to pursue in order to get into those negotiations, so I’m not going to express my opinion as to whether or not there should be conditions. The important thing, as the prime minister just said, is to get into the negotiations. I gave the same message today when I met with President Abbas." -Full Text -Trip Information Page

George Mitchell is Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. -Visit

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.

Hikers
Spokesman Kelly (Nov. 9):
"Well, actually we haven't received official confirmation that they'e been charged, and we are continuing to seek information about these press reports. If it is true, that they have been formally charged, we would find this outrageous, and of course, the families would find it devastating. And I think you also heard what the Secretary said a little earlier today. We believe that there is no evidence for these kinds of charges. We renew our request on behalf of these three young people and their families that the Iranian Government exercise compassion and let them return to their families. We will continue to make that case, both publicly and privately, through our Swiss protecting power in Tehran." -Daily Press Briefing

Secretary Clinton's Travel
Date: 11/02/2009 Description: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, is greeted by her Moroccan counterpart Taieb Fassi Fihri prior to their working lunch at the Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech, Monday, Nov. 2, 2009  © AP ImageSecretary Clinton visited Marrakesh, Morocco from November 2-3, 2009 to participate in the 6th Forum for the Future. -Trip Information Page