PERSIAN GULF

CAMERA-EQUIPPED CELL PHONES BANNED RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia’s highest religious authority has issued an edict barring the use of cell phones with built-in cameras, blaming them for “spreading obscenity” – a final resort after a ban on their sale and import to the kingdom failed to dent their popularity. Camera cell phones have caught on fast throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, particularly in oil-rich Persian Gulf countries, prompting concerns about privacy in places where people undress, “theft” of reading materials at book stores and newsstands, and corporate espionage by employees. As a result, the devices have been banned by gyms, retailers, and companies in many nations. Even in America, where camera phones have taken longer to gain popularity, there is a bill in Congress that would make the taking of illicit photos on federal property a crime punishable by up to a year in prison and fines. But the concern goes even further in conservative Muslim societies, where religious authorities complain camera phones are misused to photograph women without their knowledge. A wedding in Saudi Arabia ended in a brawl over the photographing of women, and young men in the glitzy malls of the United Arab Emirates have been warned by police not to surreptitiously photograph female shoppers.

– Associated Press

CENTRAL EUROPE

BUSINESS MOGUL ELECTED AS HUNGARY’S PREMIER BUDAPEST, Hungary – Parliament yesterday elected one of Hungary’s wealthiest businessmen as prime minister, ending two months of political uncertainty. Ferenc Gyurcsany was chosen by a vote of 197-12, succeeding Peter Medgyessy, who was forced out in August midway through his four-year term in a confrontation with the Socialist-led governing coalition. Mr. Medgyessy’s government had been in turmoil for weeks as Hungary adjusts to being a member of the 25-nation European Union. Since joining the E.U. in May, disagreements have erupted over what areas the government should prioritize in the midst of a budget deficit that is among the E.U.’s largest. Mr. Gyurcsany has promised that his government will meet the so-called Maastricht criteria, a set of economic conditions that would allow Hungary to adopt the euro, the common currency of the European Union. Mr. Medgyessy’s government set a target date of 2010 for introducing the euro. Mr. Gyurcsany, 43, a real estate and manufacturing tycoon, had been nominated by the Socialists. He has pledged to “re-energize” Hungary through what he described as “true Social Democratic” values.

– Associated Press

WEST AFRICA

MILITIA LEADER SAYS DEAL REACHED WITH PRESIDENT ABUJA, Nigeria – The leader of militia fighters threatening to widen a battle for control of Nigeria’s oilrich south said yesterday he agreed to a tentative deal with President Obasanjo to end fighting in Africa’s leading petroleum exporter that has riled global oil markets. Moujahid Dokubo-Asari, who heads the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, said that the president gave “an express understanding that no troops will attack our people. And as long as they don’t attack, we won’t attack.” Mr. Dukubo-Asari, who claims direct control of 2,000 ethnic Ijaw fighters and the loyalty of tens of thousands more, threatened Tuesday to widen his campaign to control the nation’s southern Niger Delta region and warned his forces would target foreign oil firms and their workers starting Friday. A military spokesman called that threat “empty” and independent analysts questioned whether the militia could match one of Africa’s best equipped militaries. Major oil companies played down the warnings, saying the threats wouldn’t seriously affect exports and no staff would be ordered to pull out.

– Associated Press