BAGHDAD -- Iraqi prominent Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said on Tuesday that he will only accept independent candidates for interior and defense ministers amid heated debate among the political parties to win the sensitive posts.

"I am not behind delaying the conclusion of cabinet formation, but I am behind postponing their plots," Sadr said on his Twitter account. (Iraq-Government-Formation)

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JERUSALEM -- Israeli Ministry of Energy announced on Tuesday that the world's longest and deepest undersea natural gas pipeline will be built and connect Israel with Europe.

An agreement to build the pipeline is expected to be signed soon among Israel, Greece, Italy and Cyprus under the auspices of the European Union (EU). The cost of the project is estimated at 8 billion U.S. dollars. (Israel-Gas-Pipeline)

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JERUSALEM -- Israel announced on Tuesday that it will renew diplomatic ties with Chad after Chadian President Idriss Deby's surprise visit here.

As Deby concluded the two-day visit, Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will "soon" fly to Chad, where he and Deby "will announce the resumption of diplomatic relations." (Israel-Chad-Ties)

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DUBAI -- The Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday announced the reduction of some of its fees to attract more investment and boost the emirate's economic growth.

The measures were announced as part of the Abu Dhabi government's economic plan, which aims at maintaining the sustainable growth in different fields, the department said in a statement quoted by the official news agency WAM. (UAE-Abu Dhabi-Transport Fees)

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CAIRO -- Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Tuesday that his country is keen to boost bilateral cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

Sisi's remarks came during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who arrived in the North African country late on Monday. (Egypt-Saudi) Enditem

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