Mtg. at Egyptian amb. Muhammad Basyuni's home in the presence of U.S. Amb. Martin Indyk, Israeli DM Mordechai, PA Planning M Nabil Shaath make some progress toward expediting operations at Rafah airport; resuming talks on construction of Gaza port, safe passage. (MM 7/10; PR 7/18; JP 7/19)
PA police use tear gas to break up a brawl at a soccer match in al-Bireh, the cause of which was not known. (PR 7/18)
Having concluded that Jordan's new voting system, increasingly authoritarian executive, and recent curbs on freedom of expression make it "futile" for the opposition to try to use parliament to influence state policy, the Muslim Brotherhood announces that it will boycott the 11/97 parliamentary elections. The Brotherhood's political affiliate, the IAF, will decide whether or not it will follow suit at its next session 7/12. (al-Dustur, JT, 7/9 in WNC 7/10; RJ 7/9, al-Dustur, JT, al-Ra'i 7/10 in WNC 7/11; MM 7/10, 7/14; MEI 7/25)
Under pressure fr. the Gulf states (which have poured millions of dollars into rebuilding Beirut's stadium, and Lebanon in general, after its civil war), Lebanon denies visas to Iraqi athletes due to compete in the 8th Arab Games, which open in Beirut 7/12. (MM 7/9, 7/11; AFP 7/11 in WNC 7/14; MM 7/14)
IDF abducts Lebanese journalist Roger Nahra, 2 relatives fr. Nahra's home in s. Lebanon. Netanyahu adviser Bar-Ilan says Nahra has been taken to Israel for interrogation on suspicion of participating in "terrorist" activity. The 2 relatives are taken to al-Khiyam prison. (MM 7/10; WT 8/13)