Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, Dec. 26

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CAIRO — Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed Saturday the importance of intensifying joint efforts to settle the Libyan crisis.

During a phone conversation, both presidents reviewed the current situation in Libya, where Sisi highlighted Egypt’s ongoing efforts to bring the views of the Libyan parties closer so that Libya can cross the current transitional phase and activate the free will of the Libyan people in choosing their leaders and representatives, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. (Egypt-Russia-Libya-Election)

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BAGHDAD — A senior Iraqi government official and head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission in Iraq discussed on Sunday NATO’s support for Iraqi forces and ways to enhance stability in the region.

Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji and head of NATO’s Mission in Iraq Michael Anker Lollesgaard “discussed ways to enhance security and stability in the region, as well as NATO’s support to Iraq in the field of advice and training for Iraqi forces,” according to a statement from al-Araji’s media office. (Iraq-Nato-Support)

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KHARTOUM — Sudanese security authorities on Sunday announced the arrest of 114 protesters over violations during demonstrations in the capital Khartoum on Saturday.

“A total of 114 suspects have been arrested and legal measures have been taken against them,” Khartoum State’s Security Affairs Coordination Committee said in a statement. (Sudan-Protest)

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JERUSALEM — Israel announced on Sunday a multi-million-dollar plan to develop the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, including the establishment of two new settlements.

In a special cabinet meeting held in the Golan, the ministers approved a plan to strengthen the Israeli settlements in the originally-Syrian territory, according to a statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s office. (Israel-Syria-Golan Heights)