Anti-US protest erupts in Philippines

Members of the US Special Forces and their Filipino counterparts board a US Army MH-47E "Chinook" helicopter under tight security inside a military base in Zamboanga, southern Philippines

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/173167.html

Hundreds of protesters have gathered in front of the American embassy in Manila to denounce the US military's participation in war games in the Philippines.

Protesters from the left-wing League of Filipino Students scuffled with security guards and police in the Philippines capital of Manila on Tuesday, AP reported.

A few demonstrators hurled plastic bags with yellow and blue paint at the embassy seal at the main entrance to the compound, the report added.

They say the US is using the exercises to prepare itself for military operations in Libya and Afghanistan.

They also called on NATO and Washington to end their ongoing war on Libya.

Around 3,000 American and 2,000 Filipino troops are taking part in ten days of exercises in the Philippines.

The protesters say US military presence is an insult to the country's sovereignty

Ireland promotes Palestinian mission

The Ireland–Palestine Solidarity Campaign in Dublin

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/162049.html

The Republic of Ireland has become the first member of the European Union to upgrade the Palestinian diplomatic in mission in Dublin to an embassy, said the media reports.

The Irish government on Tuesday joined a growing list of European countries, including France and Spain that promoted the Palestinian diplomatic missions to embassies, paving the way for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state, Irish media reported.

The head of the Palestinian mission in Dublin will now become an ambassador and will submit his credentials to the Irish president, said the report.

The move has ignited concerns among Israeli regime's authorities as Several Scandinavian countries as well as Britain, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Malta, Luxembourg, Austria and other states are in line to recognize an independent Palestinian state.

An Irish foreign affairs spokeswoman confirmed the promotion, saying that the Palestinian diplomatic representation would now be known as the Palestinian "mission," instead of the previous Palestinian "delegation".

Palestinian Delegate General, Kikmat Ajjuri's title will also be amended to "ambassador, head of mission", said the spokeswoman.

The move will certainly further strain relations between Ireland and Israeli regime -- already strained following the recent fake passport scandal.

Last year, the government expelled an Israeli embassy authority over the use of a number of forged Irish passports by suspects involved the killing of a Hamas commander in Dubai.

At the time, Irish foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin said investigations by the UK and Australian authorities had concluded that there were "compelling reasons" to believe Israel was responsible for the counterfeiting of passports used by the hit team.

Meanwhile, Peru on Monday joined a growing number of Latin American states including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador and Guyana to recognize an independent Palestinian state.