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Major Arab events in 2020

The destruction after the big explosion in the Beirut port
The destruction after the big explosion in the Beirut port

By Sheikha Al-Loughani

KUWAIT, Dec 28 (KUNA) -- The Arab world, throughout the passing year (2020), witnessed diverse issues and problems, most serious of which was spillover of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that had been heavily costly at the human and economic levels.
Following are key events that happened in the Arab world in 2020:

Arab League:

May 13: The Arab League mourned former Secretary General Al-Shathli Al-Qulaibi who passed away in Tunisia at age of 95. He was Secretary General between 1979-1990.

Iraq:

Iraq has been a scene of many events throughout 2020, which included occurrences in the political, military, health and economic sectors.
Following are major events in the Arab country in the passing year:

Jan. 3: A US missile struck a vehicle outside Baghdad Airport killing commander of Al-Quds Brigade in Iran's Revolutionary Guards Qassem Sulaimani and deputy commander of Iraq's Al-Hashd Al-Saabi Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandes.
Jan. 5: Iraq's parliament, holding an extraordinary session following the US strike, decided to end deployment of foreign forces in the country.
Jan. 10: Thousands of people flocked to Tahrir Square in Baghdad to maintain momentum of protests, which have been launched more than 100 days ago, and leader of the national coalition MP Ayad Allawi resigned from parliament because he said the House of Representatives failed to honor people's demands.
Jan. 29: Security forces said two servicemen were killed in an attack by so-called Islamic State (IS) south of Kirkuk.
Feb. 1: President Barham Saleh assigned Mohammad Allawi to form a government after resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdulmahdi.
Feb. 7: The government's Human Rights Commission said 543 people were killed and some 30,000 injured since beginning of anti-government protests in October 1, 2019.
Feb. 11: Harsh winter conditions swept the country with temperature in many cities below zero.
Feb. 24: The Ministry of Health announced the first coronavirus case, an Iranian student in Al-Najaf city.
March 4: Health authorities announced the first Covid-19 death, a 63-year-old male.
March 17: President Saleh assigned Adnan Al-Zarfi to form a government after Mohammad Allawi asked to be relieved from his assignment.
March 31: Archeologists announced discovery of around 300 relics in a 5,000-year-old site in Kurdistan region.
April: Prime Minister-designate Al-Zarfi stepped down and said the move aimed at maintaining unity of Iraq, and President Saleh assigned intelligence chief Mustafa Al-Kadhemi to form a government.
May 6: The parliament blessed Al-Kadhemi's government, ending a 10-month political turmoil.
Aug. 11: Security authorities said an officer and three persons were killed in an IS attack southwest of Kirkuk.
Aug. 26: UN mission in Iraq said one of its staff was injured after an explosive device went off near a UN vehicle.
Sept. 1: The government set October 3 as a national day, coinciding with independence in 1932.
Oct. 25: Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis took to streets in Baghdad and major cities to mark the first anniversary of popular protests.
Oct. 31: Security authorities said two military pilots were killed when their plane crashed north of Baghdad due to a technical failure.
Nov. 18: Iraq announced reopening of Ar'ar border crossing with Saudi Arabia for trade movement. The crossing was only used for passing of pilgrims in the past 30 years.
Nov. 21: Security authorities announced killing of three servicemen and injuring of five others in an armed attack in Salahuddine governorate, north of Baghdad.
Dec. 7: Iraq and Saudi Arabia inked two accords in the commercial and health sectors; valued USD 40 million. A commercial section at the Saudi embassy building in Baghdad was opened.
Dec. 19: The finance ministry devalued the Iraqi dinar setting it at 1,450 against the USD in contrast to 1,1190 dinar per dollar, previously.

Syria:

Jan. 29: Syrian government forces retook town of Maaret Al-Nu'man, the second largest town in province of Idlib.
Feb. 17: Aleppo International Airport was re-operated with a flight from Damascus in addition to a scheduled one to Cairo.
Feb. 24: Official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Israeli warplanes attacked with missiles suburbs of the Syrian capital.
March 22: Syria declared first coronavirus case of a person who came from abroad.
March 29: Syria imposed curfew from 6:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. as part of measures against COVID-19.
March 31: World Food programme warned eight million Syrians were threatened with starvation amid outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Syria.
April 28: Turkish Ministry of Defense said 40 civilians, including 11 children, were killed and 47 others injured in an explosion of a booby-trapped tanker in northern Syria.
June 20: Syrian central bank adjusted Lira's exchange rate to USD 1,250 from USD cents 700 following plunge of the local currency after new US sanctions became effective.
July 11: The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces elected Nasser Al-Hariri as President replacing outgoing leader Anas Al-Abdah.
July 19: Syrians voted in parliamentary elections to choose 250 MPs from 1,650 hopefuls.
July 20: SANA said Israeli air force aircraft had targeted southern sector of the city of Damascus. The Syrian Army retaliated.
Aug. 3: SANA said Israeli helicopters raided a town southwest of Syria, resulting in property damage. Israel corroborated the attack.
Aug. 30: Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad issued a decree forming new government headed by Hussein Arnous, including 29 ministers.
Aug. 31: SANA said an Israeli attack against a military facility south of Damascus led to two soldiers' deaths and injury of seven others.
Sept. 7: Wildfires engulfed western parts of Syrian forests due to intense temperature. The blazes caused wide scale damage in several mountainous areas.
Sept. 17: Syrian Oil Minister Bassam Tomeh said his country was suffering fuel shortage due to US sanctions. Fuel distribution was down by 35 percent.
Sept. 18: The UN revealed that 11 million people in Syria were in need for humanitarian aid, adding that over 80 percent of the Syrians were living under the poverty line.
Oct. 10: Massive fires engulfed forests in Syria and Lebanon burning and damaging many properties.
Oct. 12: The Kuwait-based International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO) announced the opening of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Village in Syria. The first phase of the project -- opened in April 2020 -- consisted of 500 housing units out of the planned 1,800 dwellings.
Oct. 23: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) announced the killing of Damascus' Mufti Adnan Al-Afyouni in a bomb blast northwest of the capital.
Nov. 16: SANA announced death of Foreign Minister and Former Deputy Prime Minister Walid Muallem at age 79.
Nov. 22: SANA revealed that a Presidential decree was issued appointing Faisal Al-Mekdad as Foreign Minister of Syria, succeeding the deceased Walid Muallem.

 Lebanon:

Jan. 2: Popular Lebanese journalist Najwa Qassem died at the age of 52.
Jan. 13: UN declared Lebanon reclaimed voting right after paying due financial contributions to the international organization. The UN suspended Lebanon's voting right on January 11.
Jan. 19: Up to 145 people were wounded in clashes between protestors and security personnel in downtown Beirut against backdrop of the political-economic crisis.
Jan. 21: Lebanese President Michel Aoun decreed forming new government chaired by Hassan Diab.
Feb. 11: The new Lebanese government of Hassan Diab won parliamentary confidence and pledged to tackle economic meltdown.
Feb. 21: Lebanon declared recording the first coronavirus case of a traveler from Iran.
Feb. 28: Lebanon shut down all educational institutions until March 8 as a precaution against the coronavirus.
March 10: Lebanon declared first coronavirus death of a 56-year-old person who came from abroad.
April 2: Lebanon lodged a complaint with UNSC over Israeli violations of its airspace to bomb Syrian positions.
April 25: Prime Minister Hassan Diab said financial situation was further deteriorating after USD 5.7 billion deposits were withdrawn and sent abroad in January and February.
April 30: The Lebanese government announced an economic stimulus package and appealed for international assistance.
Aug. 4: Huge explosion occurred in Beirut Port causing devastation to the center of the Lebanese capital, leading to the closure of roads by security forces.
Aug. 5: Lebanese government announced a two-week state of emergency after the Beirut Port's explosion.
Aug. 30: The government said 190 people died while 6,500 others were wounded in the Beirut port explosion. The whereabouts of three individuals remained unknown.
Aug. 31: Lebanese President Michel Aoun asked Ambassador Mustapha Adib to form new government to succeed the cabinet of Hassan Diab after the latter tendered resignation in the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion.
Aug. 31: Saroj Kumar Jha, the Regional Director of the Mashreq Department at the World Bank Group (WBG), said initial losses from the Beirut port explosion amounted to USD 8.1 billion.
Sept. 4: UNICEF revealed that the Beirut Port explosion had caused damages to 163 private and public schools with 70,000 students and 7,600 affected by the horrific incident. Sept. 16: Kuwait delivered six truckloads of tons of relief materials and medical items to help the Lebanese people overcome impact of the Beirut port explosion.
Sept. 26: Prime Miniser-designate Mustapha Adib resigned after meeting President Michel Aoun.
Sept. 30: Local Lebanese authorities named irrigation project in south of the country after His Highness the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Oct. 6: Caretaking government announced the death of 202 people and the missing of nine in the Beirut port explosion that occurred in August.
Oct. 14: Lebanese Presidency announced the first UN-sponsored indirect meeting with Israel to draw southern sea borders.
Oct. 22: President Michel Aoun assigned former prime minister Saad Al-Hariri to form a new government.

 Egypt:

Jan. 1: Egypt opened one of the oldest synagogues in Alexandria.
Jan. 15: Egyptian President Abdulfattah Al-Sisi opened a Red Sea naval base.
Jan. 20: Egypt inked nine agreements with four international petroleum companies to explore crude and gas in the Mediterranean and western desert.
Feb. 12: Egypt discovered 83 Pharaonic graves in the northeast of the delta.
Feb. 14: An official census showed the population grew to 100 million.
Feb. 14: Egypt declared the first coronavirus case.
Feb. 25: Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak died. He was 91.
March 8: Egypt declared the first death with the coronavirus. He was a German aged 60.
March 13: Twenty people perished due to bad weather.
March 19: Egyptian Government suspended aviation, closed restaurants, commercial stores, cafes and nightclubs from 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. to face the coronavirus.
March 21: Egypt closed museums, archeological sites, churches, mosques, delayed the second semester exams until May 30 amid spread of the coronavirus.
March 25: Egypt imposed curfew from 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. for two weeks.
April 30: Egyptian Army said at least eight troops were killed and injured in a bomb explosion in northern Sinai.
May 3: The Egyptian Army said 15 troops were killed and injured in an operation in the Sinai Peninsula in which 126 "terrorists" were killed.
May 13: Egyptian actor Ibrahim Nasr died at 74 years of age.
May 30: Egyptian actor Hassan Hosni passed away. He was 89.
June 6: President Al-Sisi and president of the Libyan house of representatives Aqila Saleh announced a political initiative that included a ceasefire to take effect on June 8.
June 18: Egypt's KUFPEC, subsidiary of Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) has begun extracting bitumen, announced beginning of oil production in south of Gulf of Suez.
June 20: Egypt asked UNSC to intervene to arrange negotiations with Ethiopia and Sudan over the renaissance dam.
June 30: Egypt announced discovery of a gold mine in eastern desert containing over a million ounce.
July 5: Egyptian actress Raja' Al-Jeddawi, 86, died due to complications related to COVID-19.
July 8: Egypt embarked on largest petroleum refining project south of the country with an estimated investment of USD 2.8 billion.
July 20: Parliament agreed to send Egyptian armed forces in combat operations beyond the country's borders to defend national interests -- namely in areas straddling western borders.
Aug. 11: Egyptians headed to polls to elect members of the 300-seat senate.
Sept. 12: Port Said criminal court sentenced former supreme guide of the Muslim brotherhood Mohammad Badie and 11 of his associates to prison in connection with acts of violence and murder, which occurred in the governorate of Port Said in 2013.
Oct. 3: Egypt announced new archeological discoveries of several sarcophaguses dating back 2,500 years in three wells located in Saqqara and Giza governorate.
Oct. 4: The cabinet said that foreign debt decreased by 1.2 percent for the first time in four years. This percentage relates to the first quarter of 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019.
Nov. 27: Al-Ahli won the African champions league for the fourth time in its history, beating compatriots Al-Zamalek in the final by 2-1.
Dec. 14: The ministry of petroleum and minerals declared production of natural gas reached 6.2 billion cubic feet per day, whereby Egypt ranked the 13th gas producer globally and the fifth regionally.

 Palestine:

Jan. 28: US President Donald Trump declared a peace plan for the Middle East stipulating that Jerusalem would remain "the undivided capital of Israel." Jan. 31: The UN refugee agency, UNRWA, called for raising USD 1.4 billion to fund the agency services.
March 5: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared a state of emergency in all Palestinian territories to stem the coronavirus.
March 7: UNRWA closed all its schools in Gaza as a precaution against the coronavirus.
March 22: Gaza declared recording the first two coronavirus cases.
March 25: The Palestinian government declared the first coronavirus death; a 60-year-old woman.
April 18: Palestine announced the first coronavirus case, a 87-year-old woman in occupied East Jerusalem.
May. 31: Al-Aqsa Mosque opened doors for worshippers, 70 days after the mosque closed as part of measures to curb Covid-19.
Oct. 11: The Palestinian cabinet approved projects worth USD 5.7 million in Jerusalem. The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) provided the finances.
Oct. 25: The Health Ministry said that Israeli soldiers attacked and killed a Palestinian youth in Nablus.
Nov. 4: The Israeli Army said its troops had killed a Palestinian driver at a checkpoint in a town south of Nablus, West Bank.
Nov. 11: Palestinian presidency mourns death of former chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, 65, who died at an Israeli hospital due to coronavirus (COVID-19) complications.
Nov. 30: European Investment Bank (EIB) offered a USD-50-million loan to the Palestinian National Bank. The loan supports small-to-medium size enterprises affected by the COVID-19 spread.
Dec. 4: Palestinian Ministry of Health declared martyrdom of a 13-year-old boy in clashes with the occupation Israeli forcs in the village of Al-Mughair north the West Bank town of Ramallah.


Jordan:

March 2: Jordan recorded the first coronavirus case; a Jordanian who came from Italy.
March 15: Jordan suspended classes for two weeks to try coping with the coronavirus.
March 17: The Jordanian Government closed the air space indefinitely as part of a chain of precautions against COVID-19.
March 21: Jordan enforced curfew indefinitely trying to contain the coronavirus.
March 27: Jordan declared the first coronavirus case of an 83-year-old sick woman.
March 29: The Jordanian Government declared that the Kuwait-headquartered Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) agreed to offer a grant worth USD 3.2 million to help the nation cope with the novel coronavirus.
June 22: The government approved a USD 6.6 billion plan for the Syrian crisis for 2020-22.
July 8: Jordan offered USD-1.7-billion worth of Eurobonds to cover the foreign source of the treasury.
Sept. 6: Sports activities resumed in Jordan amid coronavirus (COVID-19) precautions after they were halted in August 22.
Sept. 27: Jordan and the EU signed a 700-million-euro (USD 814 million) loan to support the Jordanian treasury.
Sept. 27: Jordan and Iraq signed an agreement where the Iraqis would provide around 1,000 gigawatts of electricity annually.
Sept. 27: Jordanian King Abdullah II dissolved the senate and reformed it under previous head Faisal Al-Fayez. The king also dissolved parliament and called for election on November 10.
Dec. 2: Jordanian Government inked loan and grant agreements with the European Investment Bank to fund projects in the country valued euro 263 million (USD 317 million).
Dec. 10: Jordanian King Abdullah II inaugurated the extraordinary session of the Jordanian parliament, held amid protective measures against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Sudan:

Jan. 2: Sudanese Red Crescent declared 48 people were killed and 200 others were wounded in tribal clashes in Darfur.
Jan. 2: The Sudanese Army declared 18 people perished in a military plane crash in Darfur.
Jan. 15: The head of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan (SCS), Abdulfattah Burhan, declared seizing all offices of the intelligence apparatus in aftermath of an attempted rebellion.
March 9: Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok survived an assassination bid east of Khartoum.
March 13: Sudan declared the first coronavirus death; he was a Sudanese in his 50s.
March 16: Sudan closed airports, land crossings except for aid, commercial shipments, amid spread of the novel coronavirus.
April 3: Sudan began supplying Egypt with 60 megawatts of electricity.
April 5: South Sudan registered first coronavirus case, a 29-year-old woman who came from Ethiopia.
May 5: Sudan named an ambassador to the US, the first in almost 25 years, in a bid contributing to normalization of ties.
April 23: Sudanese former foreign minister Mansour Khaled passed away. He was 89.
June 17: Sudan said negotiations over the Ethiopian dam reached dead end, and the issue was referred to the leaders of countries involved.
July 9: Sudanese cabinet accepted resignation of six ministers coinciding with a peace agreement with armed groups.
July 22: Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok appointed 18 governors -- including two women -- as part of the transitional period.
Aug. 31: Representatives of the Sudanese Government and four "revolutionary" forces signed an initial peace agreement in Juba, a step focusing on the political and economic security and stability in Sudan.
Sept. 9: Sudan said casualties in flash floods and heavy rains reached 103 deaths and 50 injuries. Some 69,551 houses were destroyed, while heavy damage were recorded in agricultural and farming areas.
Oct. 3: The Sudanese Government and the Revolutionary Front signed a final peace agreement in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
Oct. 23: Sudan and the World Bank signed a USD 370 million grant to support Sudanese economy.
Oct. 27: Sudanese Government increased fuel price by 400 percent, bringing the price to 120 Sudanese pounds (around USD two) per liter. The previous price was 28 Sudanese pounds (around 50 cents) per liter.
Nov. 26: Prominent political figure and former prime minister Al-Sadeq Al-Mahdi passed away at age 84 due to coronavirus (COVID-19) complications.
Nov. 10: The Health Ministry announced that designated minister Osama Abdulraheem had contracted COVID-19.
Dec. 14: Sudan rejoined the international community after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signd a notification annulling Sudan's classification as a "state sponsoring terrorism."

Tunisia:

Jan. 10: The Tunisian parliament abstained from granting confidence to the designated premier Al-Habib Al-Jamli.
Jan. 20: Tunisian President Qais Saied assigned former finance minister Elyes Al-Fakhfakh to form a cabinet.
Jan. 30: Tunisia inked with the World Bank three accords worth USD 325 million to fund companies and administrations.
Feb. 2: The Tunisian president paid his first official visit to Algeria.
Feb. 27: The Tunisian parliament granted a vote of confidence for the government of Elyes Al-Fakhfakh.
March 2: Tunisia recorded the first coronavirus case of a 40-year-old citizen.
March 6: A security personnel was killed and six others were wounded in a "terrorist attack" near the American embassy. Two suicide attackers targeted a security squad patrol at the scene.
March 16: The Tunisian Government declared closing air and land checkpoints due to the coronavirus.
March 18: The Tunisian president declared curfew in the capital from 6:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
March 18: Tunisia declared the first recovery from the coronavirus.
March 19: Tunisia declared the first death due to the coronavirus. The deceased was an old woman.
March 21: The Tunisian Government declared a package of extraordinary measures worth USD 850 million to aid citizens and institutions cope with the coronavirus.
June 3: Tunisia announced it would receive a 100 million euro loan from Germany aimed at restructuring banks.
June 27: Tunisia reopened borders following closure due to the coronavirus.
July 15: Elyes Fakhfakh resigned from the Premiership of Tunisia after two weeks of political turmoil.
July 25: Tunisian President Kais Saied assigned Interior Minister Hichem Mechichi to form the new government.
Sept. 2: Tunisian parliament voted to approve Hichem Mechichi's 25-miniter technocratic government with 134 MPs voting in favor and 67 MPs voting against the formation.
Sept. 6: Tunisian Interior Ministry announced the killing of a policeman and the injury of another in car run over perpetrated by "terrorists" east of Tunisia.
Oct. 5: Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi relieved Cultural Minister Walid Zidi from his post and assigned Habib Ammar as acting minister.
Oct. 21: Tunisia and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a USD 44.8-million loan agreement.
Oct. 22: Tunisia and the French Development Agency (AFD) signed a USD 460 million loan agreement, which will support the Tunisian budget.

 Libya:

Jan. 12: The conciliation government and the national Libyan army of Khalifa Haftar declared a truce.
March 24: The conciliation government declared the first coronavirus case.
April 2: Libya announced its first coronavirus death, a 85-year-old female.
April 29: Commander of Libya's National Army General Khalifa Haftar proclaimed himself as "leader of Libya." Aug. 21: The internationally recognized National Accord of Libya's Government announced a unilateral ceasefire on Libyan soil.
Sept. 12: Delegations from the Libyan houses of representatives and senate signed an agreement devising a mechanism to fill in leading positions in the country and combat corruption.

Algeria:

Jan. 2: The presidency declared forming a government of specialists headed by Abdulaziz Djerad.
Jan. 3: Algerians pursued demonstrations for the 46th Friday renouncing the new government and demanding downfall of the former regime figures.
Jan. 8: The national petroleum company Sonatrach inked a contract with Tecnicas Reunidas of Spain and the South Korean conglomerate Samsung -- worth USD 3.7 billion -- to build a refinery at a capacity of five million tons per year in southern Algeria.
Jan. 10: Sonatrach inked a USD six billion deal with a Chinese company to produce phosphate.
Jan. 27: Algeria signed an agreement with Turkey to renew the contract of purchasing the Algerian natural gas for the coming five years.
Feb. 25: Algeria declared the first coronavirus case.
March 8: Algeria earmarked USD 31 million for funding efforts against the coronavirus.
March 12: Algeria declared the first death of the coronavirus. The victim was identified as a 63-year-old man.
March 12: Algeria closed all schools and colleges until April 5 as a precaution against COVID-19.
March 16: The Algerian parliament indefinitely suspended its activities as part of the national efforts in the face of the pandemic.
March 17: Algeria closed borders to curb spread of coronavirus.
March 31: Algeria declared delaying the 2021 Mediterranean games to 2022 because of the pandemic.
June 24: A court sentenced former Prime Ministers Ahmad Oyahya and Abdulmalek Sallal for 12 years behind iron bars, seized their real estate properties and bank accounts in a corruption scandal case.
July 3: Remains of 24 Algerian freedom fighters who opposed the French occupation in 1830-1962 were repatriated from France after 170 years.
Sept. 12: Algerian parliament approved via a majority vote a proposed amendment to the constitution. The document was put for national referendum on November 1.

Morocco:

March 2: Morocco declared the first coronavirus case of a citizen who had come from Italy.
March 10: Morocco declared the first coronavirus death of an 89-year-old woman who had suffered from chronic ailments.
March 13: Morocco declared suspension of studies until further notice as a precaution against the novel coronavirus.
March 15: Morocco suspended air navigation until further notice.
March 15: The Moroccan King declared setting up a USD one billion fund to finance efforts against the pandemic.
March 16: Morocco shut gates of mosques, public entertainment facilities, cafes, restaurants, cinema theatres, clubs and sports facilities until further notice due to mushrooming germ.
March 21: Morocco halted domestic travel due to the pandemic.
April 9: Morocco announced a USD three billion loan from the International Monetary Fund to confront ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic. The loan will be paid back in five years with a three-year grace period.
July 29: Moroccan Monarch King Mohammad VI announced an economic and social plan worth USD 12 billion to face impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on national economy.
Dec. 10: The Royal Court declared that US President Donald Trump notified King Mohammad VI of Washington's recognition of the Moroccan sovereignty over the Moroccan Sahara.

Somalia:

Feb. 2: Somalia declared a state of emergency due to locusts' invasion. The locusts devoured much of the nation food stockpiles.
Feb. 21: Some 40 people perished in two bomb blasts that targeted the presidential palace and a hotel in the Somali capital.
March 16: Somalia declared recording the first coronavirus case.
April 8: Somalia announced the first Covid-19 death.
Dec. 15: Somalia severed ties with neighboring Kenya in retaliation for "meddling in its internal affairs." Somalia called back all its diplomats in Kenya and expelled Kenyan diplomats. (end) sl.eng