Tunisia may suspend haj over swine flu fears

2009-07-01 Tunisian authorities may suspend the haj pilgrimage to Mecca to prevent the spread of the H1N1 swine flu virus, Ansa reported on Tuesday (June 30th). Tunisian Religious Affairs Minister Boubaker Khzouri is quoted by newspaper Assari as saying that "a fatwa is not necessary". Tunisia also reported its third case of swine flu in a businessman who had returned from a trip to Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabian Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah told the press: "Experts recommend that elderly, people with chronic illnesses, children, and pregnant women postpone their plans for haj for their own safety". There are now 81 confirmed cases in Saudi Arabia.

AU Summit begins in Libya

2009-07-01 The 13th African Union (AU) Summit of Heads of State and Government kicked off in Sirte, Libya on Wednesday (July 1st). This year's main theme will be investment in agriculture for economic growth and food security. Structural changes in the AU will also be discussed.

Maghreb athletes rack up Med Game medals

2009-07-01 Oussama Mellouli won his fourth gold medal at the Mediterranean Games on Tuesday (June 30th) in the men's 200m freestyle event. Fellow Tunisian Ahmed Mathlouthi grabbed the silver in the same race. Dhouha Ben Othmane won another gold for Tunisia in the women's karate -55 kilos category, while fencer Sarra Besbes won silver in women's individual epee.

Algerian Khaled Zoubeidi won the silver medal in accuracy shooting, Kenza Dahmani won a bronze in the women's 10,000m of the athletics competition and Ilhem El Djou took the bronze medal in the women's -55 kilos event.

Morocco also grabbed its first medal, after runner Khalid Zougari Idriss came in third in the men's 200m race.

Tunisia advance to Rugby World Cup qualifier finals

2009-06-28 Tunisia beat Uganda 38-13 Saturday (June 27th) in Tunis in the second leg of the semi-finals for the Rugby World Cup Africa zone qualifiers. The Tunisian fifteen beat the Rugby Cranes 41-17 in the first leg at Kampala. They will play Namibia in the finals next November.

Maghreb handball squads win Med Games matches

2009-06-28 The men's handball event at the 16th Mediterranean Games got under way Saturday (June 27th) with victories for Algeria and Tunisia. Algeria overcame Albania 48-5 and Tunisia beat Greece 33-28. After the second day of competition in Pescara, Tunisia ranked 3rd in the medal table, behind Turkey and Italy, with 5 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals, TAP reported. Tunisian Olympic champion swimmer Oussama Mellouli won the men's 400m freestyle and the 200m medley. Female wrestler Naziha Hamza won gold in the U48 kg category. In the football competition, Tunisia beat Albania 2-1.

Tunisia to host UNAF U-17 tournament

2009-06-26 The North African Football Union will hold a tournament August 10th-20th in Ain Draham, Tunisia, DZ Foot reported on Thursday (June 25th). Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Morocco are expected to participate as part of their preparations for the U-17 World Cup, scheduled to begin October 24th in Nigeria.

Tunisia, Libya draw in Pescara openers

2009-06-26 Tunisia drew 2-2 against Group D favourites Spain in a Mediterranean Games U-21 football match Thursday (June 25th) in Francavilla. Esperance’s Khaled Ayari scored twice in the 59th and 60th minute for the Carthage Eaglets. Tunisia will play Albania on Saturday.

Also Thursday, Libya played to a goalless draw in their Group C opener against Montenegro.